sooo...i like the addition of the fountain...it serves as a nice centerpiece and meeting place for the Passyunk Square triangle - and the music is a nice, err, touch. But does it bother anyone else that the completely black laquered mass has NO TREES or foliage whatsoever?

Trees would break up the sidewalk and their leaves/twigs would create an unsightly mess.

Trees, as you may or may not know, are nothing more than big weeds and should be treated as such.

ugh. when we moved into our place all of the little old ladies in nearby houses asked us when we were going to cut down the tree in front of our property. part of the reason we LIKED the place was because we thought the tree was, i don't know, aesthetically pleasing?

i don't get it.

my spelling might be off, sorry.

Trees are an essential element of any urban landscape. Their benefits far outweigh any so called "mess" they make.

I think almost every south philly post can be broken down into two categories 1) why is there so much trash? and 2) where the hell are all the trees?

One of the reasons i chose to live in Girard Estate is because of the trees.
Believe me it is cooler during these hot summer months having trees in the neighborhood

trees and gardens increase the value of real estate properties:

Wharton School Study Finds Greening Good Investment
Philadelphia, November, 2004 ... Investments in greening and in vacant land management can increase property values by as much as 30%. This fact is reported in The Determinants of Neighborhood Transformation in Philadelphia - Identification and Analysis, a study undertaken by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania's Real Estate Department to look at revitalization strategies and their impact on neighborhoods. It was supported by the William Penn Foundation.

The author of the study, Susan M. Wachter, Richard B. Worley Professor of Financial Management and Professor of Real Estate, Finance and City and Regional Planning at the Wharton School, anticipates that the findings will be applicable to other cities throughout the United States. "For the first time, utilizing new technology that included the satellite Geographic Information System, spatial regression models, and econometrics, we were able to measure the steady impact of greening," says Professor Wachter. "Philadelphia is at the forefront of using place-based policies to transform cities from decline to vibrant health."

The first report released by Wharton this month focused on the Kensington area of Philadelphia. The complete study will look at the entire city. Three key findings were noted in this preliminary report:

• Neighborhood blocks with higher concentrations of unmanaged vacant lots displayed lower house prices.

• Tree plantings showed a significantly positive effect on housing prices, which increase in value close to 9% (this equates to about a $3,400 premium on the standard house).

• There is an immediate 64% rise, and a longer run rise of over 30%, in housing prices for neighbors of vacant lots that have been cleaned and greened. On the standard house, this would amount to an increase of $13,000.

The Kensington area was the site of a vacant land management program coordinated and managed by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green program in partnership with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC). The community-based land management system, developed by Philadelphia Green and funded by the city's Office of Housing and Community Development, was designed to address the large number of derelict vacant lots in the area. The goal was to improve the appearance and curb appeal of the community and to help stem population loss, attract new residents, and encourage reinvestment.

"We were always convinced that greening has a tremendously positive impact on communities," says J. Blaine Bonham, Jr., Executive Vice President of PHS, "The success of our Philadelphia Green program has demonstrated this. The Wharton findings begin to validate the true impact in dollars and cents."

The impact of these increases will contribute to the fiscal health of the city. "The transformation of Philadelphia's neighborhoods is not just about bricks and mortar," says Patricia Smith, Director of the City of Philadelphia's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. "We believe that cleaning up vacant lots and investing in quality green spaces is one of the most effective ways to build thriving communities, enhance the quality of life, and make Philadelphia one of the most desirable places to live, work, and do business. That's why the city has partnered with PHS and is investing in the Green City Strategy."

The Wharton School will release additional results in January 2005 that indicate the benefits of revitalization efforts with regards to public safety, schools, and business corridor investment.

Its very impressive ...... its a touch of nostalgia.

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Trees are incredible.

One just went in behind my house today. It is so beautiful.

Trees should surround the fountain. It would make it a much better place to be.

Trash is bad. I saw some today.

I no longer need to post.

If you want trees, move to Jersey. I will NOT have those overgrown weeds clogging my block. The trash I can deal with - it adds character and makes South Philly a better place to live - particularly if it means I don't have to move my car off the sidewalk.