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The RDA is pushing back against the proposed Mormon temple on Vine Street. Not because of any prejudice against the Latter Day Saints, but because of a bureaucratic loophole that allows the RDA to pass undeveloped surface lots from potential developer to potential developer, collecting a handsome sum with each transaction. Yet another clue into the blighting surface parking lots that littler Center City and Vine Street in particular. Once a lot becomes a lot, it's doomed to stay one as long as the RDA has its say-so.
Theoretically there is a time limit in which owners must develop these lots, but the RDA routinely denies these requests for one reason or another, ultimately cracking down on these time limits when they need to dip into the kitty, or as in the case of the Mormon temple, when a developer steps forward with cash and neighborhood support in hand. In the latter case, the RDA must hurry to find an excuse, any excuse, to make sure they get their hands on that land again, otherwise there are a few less cookie crumbs to pick up. It's deviously hypocritical because the point of this RDA program is to make sure things actually get built on these parking lots.
And then of course you have your chronic protesters who preach tolerance from a soap box plastered with anti-religious bumper stickers. Say what you want about the Mormon church, but it will bring tourists and even potentially a few residents. Although the church itself might not pay taxes, the residents and tourists it attracts do. I personally don't care for the the narrow-minded teachings of the Mormon church, and that's why I'm not one. However I don't find them any less prejudice than what can be taught by Catholicism or Judaism. Much of any religion is based on intolerant xenophobia based on poorly written fairy tales, but in protesting a religion out of town how is one not worse? Particularly in the city that drafted the idea of religious tolerance. And in that uniquely American creation, is it not fitting to have a home for a uniquely American religion?
Besides, I'm certainly don't want to discriminate against someone who wants to replace an eyesore of a parking lot with a beautiful building that attracts business and people. And to those who want to see a "science center" or a "high-rise condo" on this lot, are you kidding me? Really? There's a reason this lot has sat vacant for so long - the RDA - so unless you want to wait another few decades to see if maybe someone wants to build something, our best shot is to go with the Mormons, and hope it slaps the RDA in the face, and City Council and the Mayors Office will crack down on them the next time they try to pull off this shady move.
The Royal Insurance Company Building was built in 1882 and located at 212 S 3rd Street.
In 2010, especially at a time when the city is considering a tax on soda, a fee on trash pick up, and a 10% increase on real estate tax just to milk us for a few pennies to keep this city from sinking into the Delaware, one would think that the city and state would be watching our money like Ebenezer Scrooge. Instead, somehow lawyer Jeffrey B. Rotwitt has managed to work both sides of the system, naming himself the development czar of the new, $200M Family Court Building at 15th and Arch. Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille agreed to Rotwitt's fees, allowing Rotwitt to write himself a check from the city for $55,000 a month as a retainer and ultimately $3.9M, without a contract to build anything.
The reaction from Rendell, "we're looking into this," while Mayor Nutter and City Council merely remarked that this was a "gray area". Great job guys, way to keep those palms greased. Maybe you can make up for it by taxing the people who elected you every time they shit.
http://citypaper.net/articles/2010/04/29/urban-gardening-agriculture-in-philadelphia
This is one of the many, no-brainer ideas to come out of Philly that looks great on paper and begins to deteriorate as soon as it leaves the drawing board. It's one thing to seed-bomb vacant lots but acquiring vacant land from the city for some kind of agricultural land trust currently requires and act of god. For the same reason the city doesn't pass off tax delinquent properties to first time home buyers and middle class residents to fix up these rotting neighborhoods, vacant land owned by the city is controlled by an antiquated ward system that makes our corrupt City Council members mayors of their ward, allowed to hoard vacant properties for powerful constituents. What's even more frustrating is these council members often praise plans like this, knowing full well that by the time planners start implementing these projects, a NIMBY will inevitably step forward and bully it right out of existence. It's a great idea but any realistic movement on it is going to require these bearded hipsters to look at the larger picture, or become a part of the broken Philadelphia machine and start shopping for some wealthy eccentrics to bribe City Council for control of the land.
Attention agoraphobics (or anyone outside the city that doesn't want to deal with the Jerseyvania Triangle or the Philadelphia Parking Authority), now you can visit Philadelphia from the comfort of your own Cheeto covered desk chair. GeoSim Systems Ltd. has released a complete, virtual model of Center City Philadelphia detailed right down to the tile outside the Full Moon Saloon. So if you're bored with your real life, or even your Second Life, check out GeoSimPHILLY.
Market East on GeoSim Systems Ltd. GeoSimPHILLY
Car hits horse carriages, injures 3
I'm a friend to animals. I support the SPCA and Philly Paws. But some "animal rights" freaks are salivating over tragedy and it disgusts me. This driver could have just as easily plowed into three pedestrians - and it wouldn't be the first time - and these people are more concerned with the three uninjured horses than the three people taken to the hospital. There is absolutely nothing wrong, outdated, or inhumane about nostalgic horse drawn carriage rides through Philadelphia's historic districts.
Say what you will about the dangers of operating a horse on the streets of Philadelphia in 2010, but as far as I know the speed limits of surface streets haven't changed since the 50s, a time in which it wasn't uncommon to see horses being used for more than just tourism. In fact, as this city becomes more popular we will gain residents and tourists which translates into pedestrians and cyclists which could have just as easily been hit by this idiot. The problem is not horse drawn carriages, it is the speeding and aggressive driving - often aimed at pedestrians and cyclists (and anything deemed too slow for New Jersey) - that is consistently overlooked.
The "Peace Advocacy Network" and Leila Fusfeld are using this as a means to an end to complete an agenda against an industry they know nothing about. Mayor Nutter and Councilman DiCiccio, please don't sheepishly pander to these alleged friends to animals. Take a trip up to the Loft District and witness first hand how these horses are lovingly cared for. Go to a farm and get to know a horse, understanding first hand that Leila Fusfeld and her minions are grossly inaccurate in assuming that horse drawn carriages can in any way be considered abuse. These animals were bred for labor. "Horse power" is used to measure engine strength for a reason. And don't forget that the end of these horses' careers is quite simply a death sentence. An unemployed horse equals dog food. Leila Fusfeld wouldn't want you to know that.
*From Councilman Frank DiCicco: "There was an unfortunate accident. There are accidents that happen every day in the city of Philadelphia. There are pedestrians who are hit by cars and either injured or killed. I don't see anyone out there saying eliminate motor vehicles from the streets of our city also."
Straight out of a South Park episode, one can easily picture Officer Barbrady calling up Uncle Jimbo and Cousin Ned to off someone's stray chicken. But that's exactly what happened last weekend as a Lower Merion police officer responded to a call about a "large, orange chicken running at large" in someone's lawn. That large orange chicken was Connie, and belonged to a Lower Merion family who had posted Facebook comments and signs around the area when she had gotten loose on March 29th. Rather than calling animal control (or simply wrangling it into a cardboard box), the unnamed officer who "felt that it was a threat to other domestic animals", according to Lower Merion Lt. Christopher Polo, called up Jimbo and Ned, uh, I mean a friend in the fire department to take out the pet with a bow and arrow. Even Lt. Polo conceded, "that the officer could have used much better judgment in the resolution of this issue." I'd say. Residents of Lower Merion: keep an eye on your dogs, cats, and small children! The Lower Merion police department might call up some redneck buddies itchin' for some target practice. You know, killing animals for fun is often one of the first signs of a serial killer.
The RDA is pushing back against the proposed Mormon temple on Vine Street. Not because of any prejudice against the Latter Day Saints, but because of a bureaucratic loophole that allows the RDA to pass undeveloped surface lots from potential developer to potential developer, collecting a handsome sum with each transaction. Yet another clue into the blighting surface parking lots that littler Center City and Vine Street in particular. Once a lot becomes a lot, it's doomed to stay one as long as the RDA has its say-so.
