Category investment

Energy efficiency will create jobs … lots of them

EEB Hub is bringing jobs back to Philadelphia

I thought this article was interesting.

I wrote a post last year about the EEB Hub (which was first referred to as the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster, or GPIC) and its potential impact on the local economy. It looks like the government’s investment in Philadelphia is already starting to pay off (with some basic numbers).

Energy efficiency in Philadelphia would mean:

  • $618M in Local Spending
  • 23,500 New, Local Jobs
  • Commercial (and Residential) Growth at the Navy Yard
  • Companies Manufacturing in Philadelphia … Again

Read on to learn more about what the significance of the EEB Hub really is for our city.

Science Center to build a new 11-story tower

Starting next month, the Science Center will begin construction on a new building at the corner of 38th and Market.

Here’s your breakdown:

  • Mixed-Use Building in University City
  • 11 Stories
  • 272,700 Sq Ft of Usable Space
  • Anchor Tenants:
    • Penn Presbyterian
    • Good Shepherd Penn Partners
  • 88,000 Sq Ft slotted for Start-Ups, Tech Innovation, and Regional Economic Development
  • Ground Floor Retail

University City has literally blown up with public and private investment over the last decade or so. I actually found an old blog post from 2010 that talks about UC’s recent accomplishments.

If you want to learn more, here are some other interesting posts on University City:

An Oasis at Penn

Drexel Keeps Expanding

Degrees = Jobs

Another Delaware River Waterfront development is proposed

 
Now that the Marina View development seems to be moving forward, more proposed projects are popping up left and right.

Such is the case with Ensemble Real Estate looking to build on Piers 34 & 35.

The as-of-yet to be named building will consist of the following:

  • 204 Residential Units
  • 12 Floors
  • Potential Lower Level Retail
  • Terrace with a Green Roof and Tree Planters

I think it all sounds great, but there’s just one problem. ERE is looking for an exception to override the current 100 foot height limit set for this part of the Delaware River Waterfront. The same thing happened recently with Marina View, and they received their requested exception (although they probably shouldn’t have).

But how many exceptions is the DRWC supposed to make? One for every new developer just because they are building in Philadelphia during a slow real estate market? Why is there even a Master Plan in place if every new builder gets a free pass?

Personally, I am pro-development (depending on the purpose of the project); especially in this current housing market. But I also believe that rules/guidelines are in place for a reason, to be followed. If the DWRC gives ERE a pass here, you can be rest assured that the Master Plan (which took years to put together) is slowly going to get put on the back burner as the next few projects come up for approval.

What are your thoughts on this?