Planned demolitions for Market East draw scrutiny
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Illustration: Aïda Amer / Axios
As efforts to redevelop Market East ramp up with planned demolitions, some community members are questioning the process.
Why it matters: The business district has long struggled with failed development projects, vacancies, sluggish economic activity and safety concerns.
- After the Sixers pulled the plug on a new arena there early this year, Philadelphians have been waiting for a plan.
State of play: Mayor Cherelle Parker's Market East revitalization advisory committee is expected to meet for the first time Monday.
- The mayor tapped developer Jerry Sweeney of Brandywine Realty Trust to lead the group.
- The meeting follows news that the Sixers and Comcast, which committed to making investments in Market East, are planning to start demolishing sites spanning 1000-1024 Market Street by the end of the year, per Sixers spokesperson Jacklin Rhoads.
Context: The pair bought the sites this summer, Rhoads said.
- They include the former Robinson department store, known for its signature facade.
The goal: Complete the demo by next summer. Rhoads didn't elaborate on possible plans for the sites.
The big picture: This comes as Philly prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors next year for big-ticket events like World Cup matches, MLB's All-Star Game, and the nation's 250th birthday.
The intrigue: The process for determining the future of Market East appears to be playing out behind closed doors.
- Beyond Sweeney's leadership role, the Parker administration hasn't shared any information about the advisory committee and who's on it.
- The administration, Comcast, and Sweeney all declined to comment about Monday's meeting.
- Rhoads referred questions about the group to the Parker administration and Sweeney, who she tells Axios is running the meeting.
- Center City District also declined to comment. (Market East falls within the district's boundaries.)
What they're saying: Debbie Wei, a member of the Save Chinatown Coalition, tells Axios that the mayor and developers haven't been transparent or provided opportunities for community input on Market East's future.
- "We're not against development, but the lack of process from developers is not a sign to us that this is going to be anything good," she says.
Flashback: The coalition tried to block the Sixers from building an arena in the neighborhood before the team abandoned the plan for South Philly this year.
Meanwhile, a steering committee for the Design Advocacy Group warned about rushing demolitions without a plan.
- "It makes no sense to stage such impulsive demolition on Market Street to create spaces we don't need now for the not-yet-planned projects that may come next," the statement reads.
The other side: Rhoads said in a joint statement on behalf of the Sixers and Comcast that demolishing the vacant storefronts "improves the streetscape."
- Rhoads added that it will "give us the ability to work with community partners to activate the site ahead of groundbreaking."