PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII

[Swinefeld]

Originally Posted by Phil_North

Interesting. The website lists the address as 1800 Arch street. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the same address as the proposed American Commerce Center?

It is. The site of that proposed building is 1900 Arch Street which makes me wonder about the validity of this proposal. I mean, they can't even get the address right?

Pretty funky design though.

[hammersklavier]

It is an interesting design even if Mr. Nelson obviously put together the presentation on the cheap...

[Phil_North]

Originally Posted by Swinefeld

It is. The site of that proposed building is 1900 Arch Street which makes me wonder about the validity of this proposal. I mean, they can't even get the address right?

Pretty funky design though.

Right. I just took a look out of the window and the recently demolished buildings were in the 1900 block of Arch street. So it does make sense that this new proposal would go there, next to the proposed ACC.

[blorkishdork]

If you look at one of the drawings, it is the 1900 block, because the buildings are shown between 19th and 20th north of arch. Therefore ACC and this building would be caddy corner from one another. with that said, which buildings were demolished? I was looking at google street view to figure that out, were they the 4 story apartment buildings on 20th street near cherry? If so I really missed that and am quite saddened about that.

[cwd22]

Originally Posted by blorkishdork

If you look at one of the drawings, it is the 1900 block, because the buildings are shown between 19th and 20th north of arch. Therefore ACC and this building would be caddy corner from one another. with that said, which buildings were demolished? I was looking at google street view to figure that out, were they the 4 story apartment buildings on 20th street near cherry? If so I really missed that and am quite saddened about that.

I'm pretty sure the two buildings on the SW corner of 19th and Arch are gone, I don't know about any other that may have been demolished though.

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by cwd22

I'm pretty sure the two buildings on the SW corner of 19th and Arch are gone, I don't know about any other that may have been demolished though.

Yes--the buildings on the SW corner were demolished amid outrage last year. On the NW corner there's a parking lot but it must have been there for a whiles since the asphalt's looking pretty old.

[blorkishdork]

I remember that now, those were a shame to lose, but no the building "proposed" is accross the street, not where those buildings were demolished.

[hammersklavier]

I don't think it's even a serious proposal...

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by blorkishdork

I remember that now, those were a shame to lose, but no the building "proposed" is accross the street, not where those buildings were demolished.

Actually, no, the proposal lies on the demo'd buildings site (SW). In the initial render you can clearly see that it's supposed to lie behind Kennedy House, which in and of itself probably assures its ultimate failure (even though it's appropriately sized for its site) and the Sterling is clearly in behind of it. The initial render looks east along the Chinese Wall.

The developer's got his (her?) ass turned around in the Philadelphia number grid, is the problem. How is beyond me though.

[blorkishdork]

ok, maybe thats what I was looking at cause if you look at the one picture it looks like its on the north side... oh well. as you said probably not a serious proposal especially with the careless placement of these renderings and pictures.

[hammersklavier]

Hopefully this kludge'll show...

[Cro Burnham]

Project HOME behind 1234 Market

[hammersklavier]

Um, contextualize the rendering, please. Is it supposed to be the city's new largest homeless shelter or something?

[Urban Jungle]

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

Um, contextualize the rendering, please. Is it supposed to be the city's new largest homeless shelter or something?

Market east would probably be the best location for the cities finest/largest homeless shelter considering the mall on east market is already ugly as hell, along with the crap shops that occupy it. Acts nothing more then a homeless haven. What a great name for the building...The Homeless Haven at 12th & Market

[Cro Burnham]

Have a heart, guys. I don't believe it's to be a shelter, but low income apartments like HOME's other building at 20th & Sansom (Capogiro is in the building):

Project H.O.M.E. and Bethesda Project Break Ground on New Joint Venture
JULY 8, 2009


View of the new building as it would appear from the adjacent courtyard located behind 1234 Market Street (SEPTA Building) Rendering and design by DLR Group Becker Winston. Visit http://www.dlrgroup.com

PHILADELPHIA, July 8, 2009

Today homeless advocate Jon Bon Jovi, Cardinal Justin Rigali and Brian Hudson from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, joined two of Philadelphia’s leading homeless organizations, Project H.O.M.E and Bethesda Project, to announce a unique joint venture to develop a LEED-certified, affordable housing facility in Center City, which will be named in memory and honor the legacy of John and Josephine Connelly. The two nonprofit organizations are dedicated to serving the needs of the homeless and formerly homeless Philadelphians, and are working in partnership for the first time to build a facility that will house 79 men and women.

“We are extremely proud not only of the opportunity this project provides for the homeless community, but also of the unique collaboration among organizations and neighbors that went into making this possible,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director of Project H.O.M.E. “This incredible partnership with Bethesda Project, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, St. John the Evangelist Church, and the project’s neighbors, has allowed us to combine resources and create something that will have a tremendous impact on our community.”

“When Fr. Frank Yacobi, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church first asked Bethesda Project if we’d be interested in using their unused parish buildings to help people who are homeless, we immediately said yes,” said Angelo Sgro, Executive Director of Bethesda Project. “When we decided to build a new building on the site, we asked Project H.O.M.E. to partner with us because of their expertise in developing this type of housing.”

The .18-acre square-shaped site is located in the center of Philadelphia’s business district at 13th and Market Streets. The eight-story building will be 63,620 square-feet and will consist of 79 single resident units. The building will also feature a multi-purpose room, a laundry room, an exercise room, multiple kitchens, offices, storage and a lobby/reception area. The building, located behind St. John the Evanglist church, is surrounded by commercial and institutional buildings, including the SEPTA building, Loews hotel, Macy’s, and the PSFS building, among many others

“This building is important because we are creating desperately needed permanent, supported housing for people with special needs in an area of the City with an abundance of social services, transportation, and social opportunities available to them,” said Angelo Sgro. “The unprecedented acceptance and enthusiasm we received from neighbors in the area further demonstrates that the Philadelphia community is committed to ending homelessness.”

Another important aspect of the building is that it will be LEED-certified. Environmentally-friendly components of the building will include a green roof, highly insulated walls to improve thermal performance, a rainwater collection system for irrigation and non-potable use, high-efficiency mechanical systems and lighting, 15% of materials for the facility will be constructed using recycled content and 75% of all demolition materials will be recycled. The project team plans to register the facility for LEED Silver Certification, seeking points in all six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Material and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation and Design Process.

In addition to serving as a living space, the new building will also house parish offices and a community room for Project H.O.M.E and Bethesda Project programs. The two parts of the building will have separate entrances and are designed to operate independently. The residential component will have direct street access and embody many features and amenities often found in Center City apartment buildings.

“Funding and development of this project has been underway for almost five years, and with construction expected to be completed in 2010, we are thrilled to see this longtime vision become a reality,” said Sister Mary Scullion.

About Project H.O.M.E.
See the following link for more info.

About Bethesda Project
The mission of Bethesda Project is to find and care for the abandoned poor and to be family with those who have none. Since its founding in 1979, Bethesda Project staff and volunteers have helped single men and women who are homeless in Philadelphia by providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and supportive services designed to help people leave homelessness behind and live a life of human dignity. The organization provides services at 14 sites in and around Center City. For information on how to support Bethesda Project as a volunteer or a donor, please visit www.bethesdaproject.org.

Download the PDF below to see a high resolution PDF rendering of the new building.

* Download this PDF
http://www.projecthome.org/pdf/news/127.pdf

[McBane]

that is one interesting concept for 19th and arch...can't wait to see what the NIMBYs say about that one! if this project were real, i would have to wonder what is more "out there" - the building's design or the old fogies' reasons for opposition. logan squarers are more even more ridiculous than society hillers when it comes to that sort of stuff.

[Cro Burnham]

The 1900 Arch project looks like a college project to me.

I'm sure it's not a real concept - I believe the site is owned by Lubert/Adler or CMS cos. These are investment companies that make money by being extremely frugal (i.e., being bottom feeders) and low-key. They do not develop high risk signature new construction projects. Most likely they will continue to operate the site as a parking lot for as long as it takes before an opportunistic sale opportunity comes along. In other words, nothing is going to happen at this site for a very long time.

[pwp]

By Kellie Patrick Gates
For PlanPhilly

Plans for revamping Dilworth Plaza – that's the public space in front of City Hall – were publicly unveiled at the AIA Design Center Tuesday evening.

The $45-million project, led by the Center City District, includes a cafe, green space, and a programmable fountain that can be turned off to create space for farmers’ markets, concerts, and other events.

Key features of the design include: Two glass-enclosed stairways — one with an elevator — designed to make it clear that a huge transit hub lies beneath the plaza while not overshadowing City Hall. The elimination of many walls and stairways which will put the plaza on street level. The removal of landscaping that blocks view sheds and the addition of trees and plants that are easier to see through.

Paul Levy, executive director of the Center City District, said what the plan calls for above ground is intrinsically twined with what would lie beneath. CCD has been working closely with SEPTA, which plans to redo the City Hall subway station to make it more user-friendly, safe and attractive, he said.

The goal is to have the Dilworth Plaza project completed by the end of 2011, said Levy, and construction will take about 20 months. CCD has been in talks with foundations, the state and the federal government to raise necessary funds, he said. The total grant allocation in the discussion phase — including a $30-million request for federal stimulus dollars — is much more than $45 million, Levy said. So far, no funding has been nailed down, but he is hopeful that scenario will change by January. The CCD has the ability to float bonds to fill a funding gap, he added.



See Center City District publication





Planning Commission Executive Director Alan Greenberger said the commission is largely pleased with the design. “We think it's a very exciting project,” he said, calling the design “simple and elegant.” The Planning Commission does not technically have to approve the plans, Greenberger said, but the CCD has presented the plan to them once and will seek their input again. The Planning Commission will continue to make suggestions about how the proposal can be improved, Greenberger said.

Levy said he expects to go back before the Planning Commission in November or December, and while approval may not be technically necessary, the CCD wants the commission's blessing. The project does need Art Commission approval, and it will go before that group in November.

The project would also need a host of permits, and could potentially require a zoning variance, he said.

While Tuesday's event was a public unveiling with a chance for attendees to question the designers, many people have already seen it.

Earlier this year, some Philadelphia architects questioned whether the design allows Dilworth Plaza to properly serve as a forecourt to City Hall and whether more of the existing structures couldn't be reused in the new design.

There have been some changes in the plan since then, and Kiki Bolender, a partner with Schade and Bolender Architects and Co-Chair of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects Urban Design Committee, appreciates them. “Some of the unsettling items from the previous scheme have been changed - the glass sidewalk, the earth roof on the glass box and the buildings severely blocking the view from Market Street,” she wrote in an email. “But the plan does not yet seem graceful or welcoming.”

Bolender still doesn't like the glass structures that cover the staircases.

Two plan architects spoke Tuesday night, and Richard L. Maimon of KieranTimberlake said that the two glass structures encasing the stairs formed the bottom arc of a circle, and that if that circle is mentally completed, it frames City Hall. This highlights the importance of the structure, he said. Because they are transparent, they do not block the view of City Hall at all, Maimon pointed out.

Levy has said the structures are also very functional - finally highlighting the entrance to the vast transit system underneath that is now almost invisible from the street.

But Bolender thinks “beautiful, but modest” structures would suffice, and light could be brought down with smaller, skylight-type enclosures that are virtually flat at plaza level.

Architect Susan Weiler of Olin Partnership spoke of landscape design and other elements. Addressing one concern of some critics, she highlighted many spots in which public art or history lessons of the space could be included. Weiler also touched on green elements of the design, including a rain water collection system that would not only keep water out of the city's over-taxed sewer system, but keep rain garden plants watered and supply water to the programmable fountain.

Greenberger fielded a few questions from the audience before encouraging everyone to mingle around drawings of the design and ask their questions directly.

One audience member said the design looked great, but she worried that it would fall into disrepair. Levy responded that the CCD would be responsible for cleaning and upkeep – a function it has already taken on in much of Center City. (The uniformed street cleaners you see about town are CCD employees.)

David B. Brownlee, vice chair of the Design Advocacy Group, offered praise for the public-private partnership the project represents, and for the project's goals. But, he said, the design of the plaza should consider the spaces on the other sides of City Hall and the space across the street. “Especially, as was pointed out, with the opening of the Convention Center to the north, what happens on the north side of City Hall really needs to be considered in this.”

With unlimited money, Levy said, he'd take on all the space around City Hall. “I have become a raging incrementalist,” he said. “You need to start and show progress,” he said, especially since Phialdelphians tend to be skeptical about what will actually happen in their city.

A classic video from June (below).

Contact the reporter at kelliespatrick@gmail.com

http://planphilly.com/public-gets-lo...laza-redo-plan

[thenbagis]

I saw this on the bike coalition's blog and was excited. Anyone find the proposal anywhere...?

(I know it could have gone in the Schuylkill River thread, but it's much bigger than just that)

http://blog.bicyclecoalition.org/200...-counties.html

Philadelphia and surrounding counties collaborate on $36M grant proposal to fund multi-use trail network

Grant would connect Schuylkill River Trail, East Coast Greenway & Camden GreenWay

For the first time ever, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are poised to create a regional network of bicycle and pedestrian trails. In an unprecedented collaboration, six different counties and agencies in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey submitted a joint proposal to build 17 different trail segments to the U.S. Department of Transportation. On September 15th, the City of Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Camden counties and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources applied for $36 million of U.S. DOT Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary grant funds to add 16.3 miles of trails and bridge crossings to the “spines” of the region’s network: The Schuylkill River Trail and the East Coast Greenway along the Delaware River.

The proposal, called Generating Recovery by Enhancing Active Transportation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (GREAT-PA/NJ), would significantly complete an integrated, multi-county bicycle pedestrian network for the region. By filling in 17 critical gaps along the Schuylkill River Trail and the East Coast Greenway, it would help connect over 128 miles of bicycle trails in the region, providing more active transportation options and more multi-modal connections for the region’s 6 million residents.

“We are thrilled that after years of planning and public outreach but little construction, this grant program offers the Greater Philadelphia region an opportunity to finally build new trails so it can transform itself into a more connected, economically competitive and sustainable community,” said Spencer Finch, Director of Sustainable Communities at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

The public benefits of filling out this network include the creation of 1,400 jobs, the connection of residential neighborhoods to commercial corridors and places of work, the connection of residents to transit stops, economic development, enhancement of underserved neighborhoods access to green space and alternative modes of transportation, and improvements in public health. It will enhance the sustainability of the region by increasing the number of those who are able to (and enjoy!) walking and biking instead of driving for short trips, thus reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

“If this application wins approval, the region will finally have what it needs to entice more people to switch from their car to more sustainable modes of transportation for short trips: a connected trail network that can be used by users of all ages and backgrounds throughout the region to commute, run errands, exercise or go to a nearby park,” said Sarah Clark Stuart, Campaign Director at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

The submitted proposal includes trail segments and bridge crossings in Schuylkill (1 segment), Montgomery (3 segments), Philadelphia (7), Delaware (1), Bucks (2) and Camden (3) counties. The sponsors of the projects include: Schuylkill River Heritage Association, Montgomery County Planning Commission, Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Bartram’s Garden, Delaware River City Corporation, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Borough of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Cooper’s Ferry Development Association. The proposal also received letters of support from over 52 elected officials, institutions and non-profit organizations, including all four Senators and eight Members of Congress in the region.

The proposal submission coincides time-wise with Philadelphia’s celebration of a new bicycle facility the Mayor’s inaugural ride of the new Spruce and Pine Street bike lanes on September 23rd.

[philatonian]

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Project HOME behind 1234 Market

Forgive me for being late to the rodeo, but where on earth is this thing proposed? I know there's a small lot behind 1234 Market but is it big enough for this building? And wouldn't they want to make low income housing look a little less like 1950s low income housing? The paint scheme is kind of interesting but I still see Cabrini Green.