Recent comments in /f/philadelphia

nnp1989 t1_jbl4kvr wrote

Reply to Was the Convention Center a good idea? by Victorzaroni

Really not sure where you're getting the "looks empty 90% of the time" feeling from. As someone who walks down Arch to work and back every day, there's nearly always an event going on, whether you realize it or not. Lots of industry-specific conventions that you may not hear about if you're not in that particular line of work, but it's definitely regularly used.

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hdhcnsnd t1_jbl15h2 wrote

Reply to Was the Convention Center a good idea? by Victorzaroni

You’re definitely right about convention center visitors not exploring much beyond it…

I stopped by the flower show this weekend and a large group of visitors were asking an attendant how to get to the Chilis on 13th. One of the best food cities in the country and… you’re going to Chilis…

I know it’s anecdotal, but yeah whenever the convention center is swamped it’s usually only like the 3-blocks around it that are getting an influx. It feels to me like a lot of the visitors the convention center attracts just drive in and create a ton of congestion and pollution and don’t really patronize any local businesses outside of RTM, so I’m not sure it’s great for the local economy when you consider the alternatives that could fill that space.

And yeah, it’s usually empty which is why the underpasses and surrounding blocks are a bit seedier.

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Extra_Lengthiness_53 t1_jbl0l7q wrote

Reply to Was the Convention Center a good idea? by Victorzaroni

Did it need to be this big, probably not. But as someone that lives near the convention center I can assure you there are events there almost every week. A lot of events aren’t publicized because they’re industry specific. The convention center even hosts raves. I’ve even witness multiple events going on at the same time which would explain why it’s so big and divided into different halls.

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rossdowdell t1_jbkyv74 wrote

Reply to Was the Convention Center a good idea? by Victorzaroni

From the day the Convention Center opened it was obsolete. It was poorly designed, poorly built and did not pay heed to modern amenities that were already available in comparable venues in cities that compete with Philly for events.

Along with the Kimmel Center, the Convention Center was a mistake from Day One.

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oliver_babish t1_jbkyr8o wrote

Reply to Was the Convention Center a good idea? by Victorzaroni

Our prior Convention Center, the Civic Center, occupied land that's now all CHOP/HUP property.

We need a large convention center because that's what fills our hotels and restaurants. And unlike other amenities (perhaps), it's one which really does need to be in Center City because that's where all the hotels and restaurants are.

Also, many of its events are not public-facing; it's trade groups and business associations. So, like, thousands of nurses or trial lawyers coming to town. It's a big deal.

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HistoricalSubject t1_jbkyhc0 wrote

Reply to Was the Convention Center a good idea? by Victorzaroni

me and u/scumandvillany are trying to reserve it for a Marianne Williamson 2024 rally in the coming months. if elected, im sure she'll want to turn it into a MANDATORY yoga retreat and meditation center to help build back our spiritual and emotional health. with 1 million square feet of yoga, we will change the world.

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PhillyPete12 t1_jbkpk4k wrote

Reply to New Market? What is this place now? by GreyAardvark

Will smith has a record of buying property in Philly promising some kind of feel good community enhancing project and in the end flipping it for high end residential properties.

The big development at broad and Washington was also owned by smith. He said it was going to be some kind of production studio, but now it’s going to be apartments.

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GreyAardvark OP t1_jbkgzyt wrote

Reply to comment by MikeDPhilly in New Market? What is this place now? by GreyAardvark

That's a bit back for me. I only remember it from the 80s. Had some unique stores in it, but can't remember what as I was a kid. I know they were stores that sold pricey things, there was a restaurant or two I believe which might be what you were referring to, but I can't place the name. The stores never lasted there and it then became a neat place to walk through, and later became a bit dangerous.

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