PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII - Page 106

aro1419 · #**2101** Posted: **Dec 19, 2010, 4:22 PM**

What difference does this conversation make; the stadium has been where it is for 6(is it 6 now?) years now.

wally · #**2102** Posted: **Dec 19, 2010, 9:54 PM**

Regarding the Phillies' stadium, the discussion shouldn't be about cars and parking. A downtown ballpark could work. People would adjust, take public transit and enjoy a Phillies game in a different way.

Instead, the discussion should focus on whether putting the postal lands in the hands of Penn or the Phillies makes better sense for the region. In this regard, I believe that it's for the best that the ballpark was built elsewhere. A ballpark would have seriously harmed Penn's ability to connect with center city and expand as a major economic engine for this region. Buying this land was a huge coup for Penn and the city, and it would have been a mistake to build the ballpark there just so Phillies fans could have a great downtown view.

Penn park is an important first step in the university's eastward expansion that will bring more academic, recreational and support spaces to the university. Public amenities will also accompany these institutional ones, helping to bridge the significant infrastructural gap between UCity and Center City.

All told, it's a more thorough plan than what would have come from inserting a ballpark in that space. A ballpark would have been fully used for only 81 days a year (for the regular season). Penn + the Philadelphia community will use the space in different ways all year.

Building the ballpark in another location, closer to center city would have been nice, but we should now focus on how to more fully integrate the sports complex into the city. It is pretty special that we have all of our sports teams in one location (excluding the newly formed Union), we should make the most of it by fostering a unique neighborhood around the stadiums.

relnahe · #**2103** Posted: **Dec 19, 2010, 11:21 PM**

I've always thought near CC but not exactly in CC would be the best spot for a sports complex. Somewhere just north of the the BF bridge would be perfect.

ScreamShatter · #**2104** Posted: **Dec 19, 2010, 11:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by relnahe

I've always thought near CC but not exactly in CC would be the best spot for a sports complex. Somewhere just north of the the BF bridge would be perfect.

Well, you may get your wish on that. I've heard that Temple has been quietly buying up property on the east side of the campus to potentially build a stadium and maybe even other sports complexes. Who knows...

We Got Five · #**2105** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 1:30 PM**

No Sports Complex but on site Football Stadium is a very real possibility. Right now we need to focus on landing a new football coach.

Quick question. What's the latest on the hotel chain backing 4th and Race?

ScreamShatter · #**2106** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We Got Five

No Sports Complex but on site Football Stadium is a very real possibility. Right now we need to focus on landing a new football coach.

Quick question. What's the latest on the hotel chain backing 4th and Race?

Yea -- I hope they get a good head coach. I've heard they are looking at the current TU offensive coach, the current Florida offensive coach, Western Michigan's head coach, and Villanova's coach. I'm sure there are other names that will be floated too.

I'm all for a campus stadium; it's do great things for the north philly economy. i just hope they build something that is appropriate in size (something that holds 45,000 to 55,000 people is probably a close guess).

pwp · #**2107** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScreamShatter

I'm all for a campus stadium; it's do great things for the north philly economy. i just hope they build something that is appropriate in size (something that holds 45,000 to 55,000 people is probably a close guess).

55k is a fairly big stadium. I have a hard time believing that the surrounding neighborhoods would support anything close to that. As much as I'd be in favor of the proposal, I can't see it happening. Look at the recent hubbub over just the influx of students in the adjacent communities. Now multiply that by about 100. However, if it happens, North Philadelphia would be transformed (for the better IMO).

Parkway · #**2108** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 5:44 PM**

I don't think a stadium would be as big an issue with the neighbors as residential students have been. The biggest issue so far has been in Yorktown to the south where people feel like the students are hurting the QOL. A stadium also is not going to "force" anyone out of their homes which is the other major complaint about Temple students in the area. I love the idea of an on campus stadium, and I hope they make it multi-use so it can host Track events and soccer games aswell as womens sports like field hockey.

We Got Five · #**2109** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 5:50 PM**

The stadium capacity (at least what I've seen) will not exceed 32k. I've heard a few different proposals and they include a range of 28-32k.

thenbagis · #**2110** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 6:00 PM**

For comparison sake:
Georgia Tech (urban, shares city with NFL team)
Total students: 20,720
Stadium Capacity: 55,000

Northwestern Univ (urban, shares city with NFL team)
Total students: 16,640
Stadium Capacity: 47,130

Univ of Minnesota (urban, shares city with NFL team)
Total Students: 51,611
Stadium Capacity: 50,805

Univ of Buffalo (same conference, shares city with NFL team)
Total Students: 28,192
Stadium Capacity: 31,000

Toledo (same conference)
Total Students: 23,336
Stadium Capacity: 26,248

Temple
Total Students: 36,915
Stadium Capacity: ???
Average attendance in 2009: 17,379
NCAA attendance report

Based on students and other stadiums I was going to guess 40,000, but after seeing the attendance, I'd say probably closer to 30,000 with the ability to expand to 40,000.

(combining my interest in college football and philly developments into one post :-))

Parkway · #**2111** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We Got Five

The stadium capacity (at least what I've seen) will not exceed 32k. I've heard a few different proposals and they include a range of 28-32k.

Thats about what I had heard which was about 35k, but expandible if it was needed.

thenbagis · #**2112** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 6:01 PM**

wow... I was writing that up when WeGotFive posted... I guess I may be spot on :-)

pwp · #**2113** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parkway

Thats about what I had heard which was about 35k, but expandible if it was needed.

That's great, so there's actually some legs on this idea? Can I ask how reliable these reports are?

aro1419 · #**2114** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 8:38 PM**

a stadium sounds good to me

aro1419 · #**2115** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 8:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We Got Five

No Sports Complex but on site Football Stadium is a very real possibility. Right now we need to focus on landing a new football coach.

Quick question. What's the latest on the hotel chain backing 4th and Race?

http://planphilly.com/dicicco-nixes-...old-city-hotel
They decided to get rid of the huge electronic sign and a decision on the hotel will take place on Jan. 27th at the earliest according to this article. I think that this hotel has a good chance of being built because the article says that many people in that area support the hotel.

PhilthyBlog · #**2116** Posted: **Dec 20, 2010, 11:16 PM**

EastSideHBG · #**2117** Posted: **Dec 21, 2010, 12:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilthyBlog

Cool pic! First total lunar eclipse near the Winter Solstice since the year 1638, pretty wild!

DIESELPOLO · #**2118** Posted: **Dec 21, 2010, 3:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aro1419

Anything to get rid of the ghetto sounds good to me.

really, aro? not here.

bryson662001 · #**2119** Posted: **Dec 21, 2010, 9:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjawho

not sure but this espn article has a little info

Apparently they lived in Rittenhouse.

Really how much greater can this story get? Especially for us. I think it's fair to say we have a fair amount of civic pride, (I'm speaking specifically for us on the boards), probably more than the average Philadelphian. And that's saying a lot since I think Philadelphians are by nature pretty proud of their city.

One story said this time they chose this 3 bedroom at "The Rittenhouse" but wasn't clear on if it was to buy or to rent.

http://curbed.com/archives/2010/12/1...slingers-1.php

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...3_M37527-44346

We Got Five · #**2120** Posted: **Dec 21, 2010, 1:11 PM**

Great picture of the eclipse! However, we really need to pick up the trash on Girard Avenue...ouch.