THE THREE DIAGRAMS: A DEVELOPMENT DREAM TRILOGY

As I noted earlier in the week, the idea isn’t to pick which of the three diagrams you like most. Rather, it’s to point out which elements in the diagrams you like the most, and which you could do without. The main purpose of this exercise is to figure out which design elements and planning details to prioritize.

Ultimately, the District Plan will provide a roadmap for developing the 175-acre area surrounding 30th Street Station, and for upgrades and renovations to the station itself. Each of the three diagrams contains elements aimed specifically at 30th Street and the wider neighborhood.

Should the District Plan promote a large capping of the rail yards and I-76? Should it create a “Sixth Square” to complement William Penn’s original five? What kind of uses should fill 30th Street Station’s relatively empty North Waiting Room?

While the three diagrams present distinct narrative visions for the district and the station, remember to not get too hung up on that. The three stories are: Central Business District 2, a sibling to Center City West’s and University City’s clusters of skyscrapers and office space; Schuylkill Crossing, a walk-able, mixed-use urban neighborhood, and; Innovation City, an R&D campus featuring an expensive, centrally located park.