I've never been a big fan of gambling, but some good could come out of it being legalized (if done correctly). I can just see this getting out-of-control, with developers touting huge plans left and right. Leaving Philadelphia with large, unsightly buildings or even worse, large, unsightly holes (ala disney quest). This is not to say that I'm against development along east market and on the disney quest site, however, serious planning and consideration (by knowledgeable people) needs to occur first.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/n...ew/8567671.htm

Gambling in PA? Can't see it hurting - chronic gamblers are no doubt already gambling their life savings away in other states or over the internet.

Gambling on Market Street? That I'm not so sure of. Does the city really have the infrastructure for this? I like Boston's Prudential Center, and Philadelphia would greatly benefit from the development talked about in the article, but at what cost to Center City?

I'd rather see these projects on Delaware Ave, on the SS United States, or the Navy Yard, where there would seem to be an infrastructure that could handle thousands of more cars daily.

Slot parlors in Center City? Hell yeah!

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"If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor."--Rev. Horton Heat

I agree that legalizing gambling has its advantages (especially if you're the type that doesn't easily get addicted to gambling). However, I absolutely do not want to see slot machines in Center City. I think it would go a long way towards ruining many of the advantages Philly has over other cities. Let Vegas and Atlantic City keep their monopolies on grambling.

Maybe we could put all the slots in Norristown... all the section 8 people are there already. Maybe we could get out tax dollars back... no more than half serious, of course ;-)

Whoa. Wally since you seem to be leaning towards it, why don't we locate one of the city's casinos in University City? Do I hear NIMBY?
:lol:

I haven't had a chance to read Inga Saffron's column yet but I will return this afternoon after I've read that and the Section B column on gambling and influence.

But, before all that. Be careful when you wish for gambling. First of all, when it is close by . . . people who have to plan out a whole trip to NJ will be able to simply jump on a 33 bus and head for the Market Street Slots. I don't think that's a good thing.

Also, the use of disposable income (which presumably is what most of us use to gamble) is a zero sum game. If I go lose $100 on the slots, I can't go to dinner at Fork or have a drink at Serrano, or see an act at Tin Angel.

If you combine the slots palace with a big hotel, then people will not stay at the Ritz Carlton, the Loews, the Wyndham.

And if the city gets a little more in tax money, it also assumes a far greater cost in social services - gambling addiction, bankruptcies, crime, etc.

And once the gaming industry is inside the tent, forget about ever putting an end to it . . . in a pay-to-play cesspool, they will be king with more money to throw around than anyone else - more than anyone ever dreamed about.

Just thoughts.

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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

Hey now...I haven't given it my approval yet :icon_be_:

The one bright spot that I see is that there would finally be some investment and growth on east market (between city hall and old city to be specific).

That being said, I would prefer it to be of the non-gambling type, but that doesn't seem likely, given that the only interest has only resulted from the possibility of gambling. Furthermore, if it does happen, I don't quite trust the politicians and developers to it correctly. Planning and careful consideration of the effects of such developments must come first. My great fear is that they are just going to dive in head first and leave Philadelphia with eyesores and headaches innumerable.

Inga doesn't seem to be vehemently opposed, so this gives me some assurance that we're not in for a huge disaster. She points to Detroit as a city where gambling has brought some real benefits. Surely, the added revenue would be a plus, and it would give convention goers more to do. As for drawing people away from other parts of the city, I think that it will have the opposite effect. It will most likely bring in more people and money to the whole city. Yes, they will go to gamble, but that doesn't mean that's all they will do. Having more people downtown will surely send positive economic ripples throughout the rest of the city. There is the talk about traffic problems. To this I say, fix Septa. With all the supposed revenue that this will bring, use some of it to expand and enhance the subway/trolley system.

As Inga said, planning must happen first, and I'm torn as to whether or not the benefits outweigh the potential downfalls. If this goes through, then only time will tell.

When did Market in Old City take off (or is it almost all historic buildings. I haven't spent a whole lot of time that way)? I haven't been here long enough to know , but I imagine it happened when Old City took off. Washington Square is just now taking off, so give it some time and chances are Market St around Wash Squre and vecinity will follow suit.

Dave:

Market Street has increasingly been a relatively "hot" place ever since we finished the streetscape improvements back in 95-96. The strange thing is that it still has more vacant storefronts than it did before and few of the second floors have been developed despite substantial abatements to make the changes. I always laugh when people say Old City is hot . . . sometimes it sure doesn't look like it. If you like South Street or Delaware Avenue, then you'll love Old City.

As for historic buildings, it is a mix. For instance, the building on the corner of Market and Thirds (Pizzacato) is historic, the building next door (Delialah's) is not - thus the incredibly bad renovation that was done by the previous owner. But, now, Old City is a city Historic District so that individual buildings don't matter anymore.

The real problem is lots of older owners who have owned the buildings for a long time, have paid all the mortgages, and are holding to make a killing with a Stephen Starr restaurant, etc.

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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

The old city crowd/spots have little in common with those on Del Ave and South st.

About all I've ever seen of Old City is the one block of 2nd St south of Market St, which seemed fairly unique to me... of course I didn't really take much of a look until I'd emerged from "The Plow and the Stars" with several Amareto Sours (I lost count) and a Whisky Sour or two under my belt. The food at Bleu Martini (sp?) was pretty nice and affordable, but the atmosphere was way too noisy for my taste (or maybe I was too drunk to appreciate the noise).