Axios Philadelphia's big ideas for Market East redevelopment
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Philadelphia's Market East is poised for a makeover and Axios Philadelphia readers are making their wishlist for the neighborhood.
Catch up quick: The Parker administration recently formed an advisory committee stocked with dozens of business and real estate big shots — think Comcast, Sixers, Brandywine Realty Trust and IBEW Local 98.
- Their goal: Cook up a plan to revive the economically struggling Market East neighborhood with input from the community.
Zoom in: More than a dozen Axios Philadelphia readers gave us their big ideas for the stretch of prime real estate between Billy Penn atop City Hall and Independence Mall. They included:
🚨Boosting public safety is a top concern.
- One reader suggested reimagining the train stations along Market Street to increase safety, which could attract more foot traffic and commuters.
🌳 More green space is a must.
- "We need real parks with trees and grass. An entire block or two blocks. Give local residents a space they can enjoy," wrote one reader.
- The new green spaces could be hubs for farmers markets, small music festivals and community events.
🚶Preserve, repurpose and reconstruct historic buildings along the strip.
- And create a self-guided-trail-of-sorts highlighting American architecture over the centuries.
🛍️ Lean into shopping and entertainment.
- That could complement the restaurant-heavy focus in Old City and Penn's Landing.
- One reader suggested a sports or gaming hub, possibly inside the former flagship Macy's store of the Wanamaker Building.
- Others proposed adding a movie theater, small concert venue, supermarket and more residential units.