img

img

welcome to

img BACK TO NEIGHBORHOOD
Fri
Mar 23
2012

Have We Come Up With A Plan for the Waterfront That We Can All Agree On?

If we had all day, we would submerge ourselves in the new Master Plan for the Central Delaware, an extensive and ambitious plan for the future development of the Delaware River waterfront between Allegheny and Oregon Avenues.

Perhaps the future

The plan is a result of years of work and meetings among consultants, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DWRC), the public, and others. The City Planning Commission unanimously voted to approve the plan a few weeks ago, making it an official city plan that will impact all future development in the waterfront areas.

The plan marks a renewed interest in a vision for a developed waterfront with parks, trails, entertainment venues, restaurants, residences, and more. A $1.25M grant for Natural Lands Trust to acquire a waterfront parcel comprised of 11 acres of riparian lands on behalf of DWRC represents an essential early step toward implementing the plan. The land we’re talking about is at the end of Pier 70 Boulevard, by the South Philly Columbus Blvd. shopping centers. Acquisition of this land will lead to the creation of a permanent, multi-use recreational trail along the river and create the southern anchor of a new ecological wetlands park, both of which are critical components of DRWC’s recently released plan.

Newly acquired land

Highlights of the master plan make us want to hop into the Naked Philly Delorean and go three decades into the future, where we would be young, wealthy, well-dressed and living in a new home (or a van, whatever) in an urban enclave down by the river. Surrounding us would be 13 parks within 5.8 miles, 4.8 miles of multi-use trails, 96 acres of green space, improvements to Pier 53, and a water taxi service. The Festival Pier and Penn’s Landing would be transformed from their current lame-o versions, into engaging and exciting sites that are used for more than just concerts.

A vision of Penns Landing in the future

But of course, plans and thoughts about waterfront development are older than Veterans Stadium, and, well we have seen the way of the Vet. But we think this new plan will have more staying power. And with the Phila2035 comprehensive plans for the city unfolding, and initiatives like the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s  mission to plant 1M trees, we’re thinking the best has yet to come.

If only they would cap I95.

Can’t have everything in this world, huh?

–Lou Mancinelli

9
COMMENTS
img
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments
  • Guest

    Not sure what’s so “lame-o” about Penn’s Landing but whatever.  These master-plans really seem to cater to a certain group with a certain view, not exactly something you’d want for a world-class city.  They seem incredibly short-sighted and one-dimensional, kind of the opposite of what you’d expect from a “comprehensive plan”.  They should be working with the entire public, not just working with “community groups” and holding “feedback sessions”.

  • Guest

    This city is really good at planning things. Not so great in doing anything..

  • Anonymous

    A lot of haters on this post.  Just in the last year the waterfront has improved greatly.  Vine Street Pier, Washington ave trail, Tacony waterfront park, etc.  If you guys think miles and miles of mostly underutilized & vacant land is going to be entirely redone over a short time then reality isn’t your strong suit.

  • http://twitter.com/brianbrews Brian Marsh

    Actually didn’t this city operate without the guise of a master plan for decades? I’d say only recently has planning been revived as a priority in Philly.

  • http://twitter.com/phillyrealty Christopher Somers

    Good point 1980.  There have been multiple public meetings inviting everyone to come up to learn and share ideas.  I went to several of them.  It is great to see things already done, and progress being planned for to catch up with the likes of Baltimore and Boston.  For myself, living in Northern Liberties, it would be great to be able to walk to the River that has a lot of attractions.  I feel confident that it will happen.

  • Datkatvic

     UMM the city hasn’t had a master plan or updated zoning code in 50 years…We Do NOW thanks to the Nutter administration…so you’re Wrong………and at least 5 of parts of the master plan for the waterfront have already taken place or happening right now!!……the only thing that will stop this form happening are Negadelphians/NIMBYS that don’t anything but complain and corrupt members of city council who wouldn’t be in power if the Negadelphians actually were ACTIVE CITIZENS

  • http://twitter.com/ThisOldCity This Old City

    Who is the “entire public”? The city only engages with people who are interested in planning and who work with local planning organizations. 

    It is not the role of the city to flyer every resident and ask them what they want. Lead follow or get out of the way.

  • Cityguy216

    Its taken the city 50 years to do what they have done to this point. Should only take another 100 years to actually make this “Master Plan” a reality.

  • http://www.city-data.com/forum/philadelphia/1304227-philadelphia-2035-a-80.html#post26425019 Philadelphia 2035 – Page 80 – City-Data Forum

    [...] Originally Posted by AJNEOA Is there any plan to bury/cap parts of I-95? It doesn't appear so, but I know that a few areas like Spruce have a park/area like this. I realize doing this is extremely expensive. All I have ever seen was some additional capping between Market and Chestnut (potentially to Walnut) The latest waterfront plan would have both DE Ave and 95 buried in this space so that a park connecting Old City to the waterfront would be extended to be an at grade connection. That was part of the most recent plan but not sure that reality will ever occur. A vision of Penns Landing in the future Have We Come Up With A Plan for the Waterfront That We Can All Agree On? | NakedPhilly [...]

Have a Story for us?
Email Tips@Nakedphilly.com
With Photos & gossip