Local Programming: The One-Armed Bandit

I am more enthusiastic about this than Duncan: It's not just that a slots parlor will not be located on someday-prime riverfront property. It's not just that it won't add to traffic on a major north-south artery, and instead will sit on top of the nexus of subway and regional rail lines.

There are at least two other major advantages. It brings investment dollars to a part of town that has been allowed to become neglected in terms of amenities. The prospective audience for a slots parlor are suburbanites who might otherwise be afraid of coming down to the 9th & Market area at night. The casino company will naturally want the area to be neat, clean and lined with attractive, convenient businesses (besides the massage joints and pawn shops - we got those covered) that stay open late. But they will also be forced to integrate elements of urban life into their plan in a way that putting a huge self-contained structure out on the river would allow them to avoid. In other words, the casino will end up being more Philly than Generic Gaming Establishment, USA. Also, the added development may help to bridge the physical gap between City Hall and Independence Mall that tourists often find difficult to navigate. Currently, the Market Street space between the Mall at 6th Street and, say, the Hard Rock at 12th, consists of huge surface parking lots and office buildings that shut down at night. During the day is a long hike over a concrete plain to get to the fun and historic part. At night it's relatively safe, but it often doesn't feel that way. Adding a landmark, even if it's not the ideal variety, might improve a boring or vaguely threatening half-mile section of street.

Comments

[Glomarization]

I would have suggested the Disney Hole, but upon reflection I'd prefer it to not be at street level.

[Mithras]

I am sure the street entrance will be a prominent feature, with escalators. It will be different than walking off the street straight onto the casino floor.

[lutton]

You've also got the news that a conversion of the Boyd theater to an entertainment venue and attached hotel is a potentiality. It's not the same exact location but stretching that entertaintment zone from old city down to Rittenhouse Square is becoming more and more realized.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20080910_Boyd_Theater_developer_envisions_entertainment_complex.html

http://friendsoftheboyd.org/

[Z]

I'm not so sure. The problem with Market St between 6th and City Hall, I think, has largely to do with the decision made way back when to put a large indoor mall in the middle of things. So now instead of mixed-use street-level retail and restaurants--as you get from 6th to Front--we have one giant building that seems to stretch for about 5 blocks with large department stores that makes you feel like you're in a strip mall. The dining is pretty much restricted to foot courts inside the mall.

Putting a casino in the middle of that seems likely to exacerbate the problem. I'd rather see the area redeveloped organically into smaller units for shopping, eating, drinking, etc. Just like you now find in Old City. Totally walkable and pleasant, except for the hordes of tourists and the somewhat olde-timey Disney feeling (which would likely not extend past the 6th St Independence mall area in any case).

[round guy]

I'm with you. This is a much better location than the riverfront, which can now be developed into an integrated space with that portion of the city.
I agree that the stretch of Market St they are planning to inhabit will benefit as well and I think this could also help the Convention Center out too (which won't hurt the casino folks either).

Looks like a winner to me.

[Joyful Alternative]

Ah, Z, but remember what Old City was like before the Gallery was built!