Planning for the Philly Waterfront

PENNS LANDING - June 26, 2008 However, tonight, Mayor Michael Nutter gots his chance at setting a grand vision of the riverfront in motion.

Nutter addressed plans that encompass a 7-mile stretch from Oregon to Allegheny Avenues.

The goal is to turn the currently post-industrial hodgepodge into a rational greener riverfront where people could live, visit, and relax.

Harris Steinberg heads PennPraxis, a moving force behind the vision.

"What's lacking is an interconnecting series of roads, a network of bike paths to get you to the riverfront; it's a disconnected part of the city," Steinberg said.

New rules for builders and developers would have to passed as the new waterfront connects with existing streets.

Green space might grow from 8 to 300 acres.

Mayor Nutter showed Action News Pier 11, a wasteland now, but could soon become a new pocket park surrounded by water.

"It's something that we can do almost immediately," Mayor Nutter said.

A possible conflict comes over the existing designs for riverfront casinos. Some say they would not fit in the pedestrian friendly waterfront vision.

LINK: http://www.planphilly.com/actionplan