I know. I was kidding.

Damn!!! No local amusement park for Phila!!! Just another golf course. I thought that this area had enough golf courses, and now they're building another one. I would rather have that island used for an amusement center rather than just one big golf course. And I suspect that the only people that are going to be using that island are rich buisnessmen, right?????

They got their money. Rendell gave Dave Cohen 30 million, the city gave him abatements. The building has been delivered.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

I like the idea of an observation platform too, but the sticking point will be not just the uptop primo floor space, but the reduced rentable space on *every floor* for at least one dedicated express elevator shaft. Maybe that problem can be solved by designating express elevators during off-peak times (not during lunchtime or rush hours) and closing the platform during the peak office traffic hours.

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Cheers,
Jayfar
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“I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional (sic) Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.

I think it'd be a mistake to sink a lot of cash into one mammoth project, especially if it's gimmicky rather than functional. I doubt people would come here (or anywhere) because of something meant just to pander to tourists like a ferris wheel. I love London, but I could care less about taking a ride on the Eye, and their Millennium Dome was a big flop. Seattle's space needle is overrated and silly looking today, not to mention only 50 feet taller than Philadelphia's city hall. Woo hoo.

One missed opportunity, on a much smaller scale, was the interest skateboaders had in Love Park. It's rare for fusty old Philadelphia to get any buzz among teens, and here were droves of them begging to be allowed in — and we kicked them out.

I think four or five smaller projects that significantly improved quality of life in the city would be better than one big, tacky white elephant. Stuff like the free wireless access idea would help entice more recent college grads to move here, a commodity more important to the city than tourists who just breeze through in three days.

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"You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred." — Woody Allen

(Avatar stolen from this nifty project.)

or rich lawyers. there is already free wifi most places.

I know, I was being facetious