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Avida Tower San Lorenzo / "Avida- SanLo" Avida Towers San Lorenzo ("AT SanLo") has a nice pool with an open view past SLEX towards Manila Bay ... PB Bay View - Here's how the view looks from a high floor in Tower 2 - pool is below the highway on the Podium ... PB. ==== Avida San Lorenzo / "San Lo" SSC news : http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=702832&page=39 Been looking at a Buying opportunity ("below market") at Avida San Lorenzo : : It seems attractive, because it is walking distance from Greenbelt ("just 500m") - see map below AT Sanlo to Greenbelt malll is very walkable ... PB. It is also across the street from Pasay Station on the PNR. PNR / LRT / MRT : map Tower : Height Floors : Units* -------- : completion : St. : 1 BR : 2 Br : 3 Br : No.1 - : 114m. 28 st. : x 24 = 700 : 2ndQ.2013 : No.2 - : 107m. 25 st. : x 24 = 600 : 4th Q.2015 : Studio Rental Ads, as listed on Rentpad 22.5 SM 12,000 : bb : 20th 16,000 : ff-: 19th* 17,000 : ff-: 17th 18,000 : ff-: 28th** 24.0 SM 15,000 : bb : 2nd ======= *photos: http://rentpad.com.ph/long-term-rentals/makati/studio-condo-at-avida-towers-san-lorenzo-makati/77b17d1329 ** http://rentpad.com.ph/long-term-rentals/makati/studio-condo-at-avida-towers-san-lorenzo-fully-furnished/1d0934e74 Renting AT-SanLo through Avida: (+632 988-2711 / M: +63917-867-2817, ask for "Jastine") > see : Avida Leasing : location: AvidaTower-San Lorenzo ("AT-SanLo") Old dated info on Tower 1 / Price list (dated 2012-13?) Location Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City Available for Sale Tower 1 (total of 2 towers) Unit Sizes 22 – 66.3sqm Price Range Php 1.75 – 5.1M / that's : Turn Over 1st Quarter 2013 : Studios in both towers were stated to be sold out back in 2012-13 +++ There also seem to be some others for sale +++ Avida Towers San Lorenzo Tower 1 - 9th Floor Corner Unit With Balcony 39 sqm : Asking PHP 3.7 million, that's PHP 94.8k per SM (this looks cheap, even for the 9th fl. Is it an "old" ad?) (From 2008): source Avida Towers San Lorenzo along Pasong Tamo extension, the condominium boasts of 1,132 units in two towers. Units cost anywhere from P1.8 million to P4.5 million, the company said. (another price source): UNIT PRICES Tower 2 Size of units/Price range: Studio: 22.08 – 28.48 sqm (1.8-1.9M) 1-BR : 33.81 – 47.64 sqm (3.0-3.8M) 2-BR : 52.50 – 66.30 sqm (4.7-5.4M) Tower 1 Size of units/Price range: Studio: 22.08 -- 24.98 sqm (1.8-1.9M) 1-BR : 34.44 -- 47.86 sqm (3.1-3.8M) 2-BR : 52.50 -- 58.66 sqm (4.9-5.3M) ===== > source Approximate Pricelist: (2008 prices) (8 units/flr) Studio (~22.5 sq m) - around Php1.8M : starts at Php 80k psm (12 units/flr) 1 BR (~35.17 - 36.63 sq m) - Php2.81 - 2.93M (2 units/flr) 2 BR (~52 sq m) - Php4.16mMThe first tower’s construction, which has 30 floors, will begin in the third quarter of this year. It will be turned over to its owners starting 2013. The project is a joint venture with Makati Greenbelt Palms Land Inc., owned by Chinese nationals. The 8,070 square meter property, where the project is situated, was contributed by MGPLI. Avida Land officials refused to divulge details about the partnership but said MGPLI will get the “equivalent units" for their property. According to Dez Cruz, head of residential buildings of Avida, Avida Towers San Lorenzo is a haven for Gen Y-ers or young executives and professionals in their 20s and 30s who want to live in the most vibrant and dynamic community in the country. For these confident and tech-savvy individuals, purchasing a unit in this project along Pasong Tamo Extension will mean being just “a dash away from the corporate headquarters of most of the Philippines’ top corporations, major business establishments and support services.” After hours, Avida Towers San Lorenzo’s superior location will allow these individuals who work hard and play hard to freely enjoy the leisure options available at the Greenbelt and Glorietta malls without the hassle of a long commute home.

WalterMart - a mid-priced alternative to "expensive" Greenbelt and Makati Sq. "bargains" There's a Starbucks, a supermarket, and a cinema, among other businesses Waltermart has a large Supermarket

Chino Roces / from WalterMart to Magallanes - A Future Hotspot? The view (from the sky garden of Beacon) looking down Chino Roces towards San Lorenzo Place, and Magallanes station.,, PB Big developers have major land holdings along this road. Avida added a new P 2 bn Land acquisition less than 12 months ago Avida delivered two towers (in 2014? and 2016), in a project called Avida Tower San Lorenzo next to WalterMart. Further down the street, CityLand and Vista (Trevi) also have also completed projects very near Waltermart and the Pasay Road PNR station. Cityland's two towers ("In God We Trust" is emblazed on the taller one near its top floor) Studios within the Cityland buildings rent for something like P9,000 -10,000 monthly, the lowest rents on Chino Roces. (Having said that, some properties "on the other side of the tracks" beyond the busy skyway may be cheaper.) At the other end of Chino Roces, next to the MRT station at Magallanes is a nearly completed project called San Lorenzo Place. San Lorenzo Place ("SanLo Place") is attached to Magallanes Station, though the passage was not yet functional last time I checked. DMCI's Fortis Gardens will be launched soon. It is just across the street from San Lorenzo Place. I have just seen a re-posting of an announcement from June 2016 - the report describes a substantial land acquisition by Avida (an Ayalaland subsidiary), midway between Waltermart, and Magallanes station Peso 2 BILLION ! : The land cost Avida just under P 2 Billion for 11,000 sqm of Land - if Avida builds 2,000 units there, then the Land alone will cost P1mn per unit (on average). Compare this, with the recent cost of about P2.5 million for 22sqm studios at AT SanLo - and you will see that Avida must have some big plans for this space. The will need to build a large project, and achieve a higher average price than the did for AT SanLo to recover their big investment. I am not the only one watching this space. A New Thread about this Avida location was initiated a day or two ago on SSC : >here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1992434 Does the appearannce of a thread mean that Avida will soon be announcing a new project there? Asten near Guy Puyat has launched its final phase in the last month, and Avida may want to have a new Makati project on its drawing boards. SMDC and Megaworld/Empire also have major landholdings very nearby that will (likely) be developed in the future MAP ... V.1 Light blue shows the walking path to Greenbelt from Chino Roces Bigger Map - the southern slice Related LINKS: WalterMart website : http://www.waltermart.com.ph/ : WM-cinema : Trevi, Lorenz di website : http://www.vistaresidences.com.ph/home/property/laureanoditrevi

"The Earth will be destroyed"... if RVD's computer does not get its act together 5-1-17 – A DAY OF MAJOR FRUSTRATION FOR ME I connected a few dots to get to the Headline I keep waiting for Ron to talk about a "Day of Major Happiness", but I go on waiting Ron wants to get back to : "Truth and Justice" (and the American Way?) Meantime, Smiling Cindy goes on Smiling All is right, since so many great agreements have been signed (in secret, apparently?) The Secret Global Reset Agreement Published on Apr 24, 2017 This video contains information about global affairs, the reset, galactics, etc. === === Their approaches are polar opposites, but in some ways are similar: + If Cindy does not get good news, she just makes it up, and + If Ron does not get bad news, he sees something negative in his environment, and expands it to cosmic size Seems like we make our own worlds, doesn't it?

New Channels? : A Fox competitor channel on the Right, etc. Many pieces are now in play... EXCLUSIVE: Advanced Talks Underway For New Conservative Network Amid Fears Fox News Moving Too Far Left April 28th, 2017 On the heels of major shakeups at the Fox News Network, an alternative conservative network is being actively discussed amongst conservative fat cats. A well-placed source close to the proposal tells Mediaite that serious discussions are underway to create an alternative conservative cable network on the belief that the Fox News Network is moving too far to the left. The source, who is engaged in the talks, says a meeting is planned for today with two prominent high-powered television executives, some underperforming conservative networks and people who have an interest and the ability to fund a new network. The potential aim? Putting “the old band” back together. There are certainly plenty of (out-of-work?) conservative powerhouses to pick from that could star on a new network, and perhaps even some executives from within Fox News who might be lured by the new opportunity. Could the new channel include stars like the ousted Bill O’Reilly, who didn’t waste much time hitting the podcast waves after he was fired amid a sexual harassment scandal? Could Tomi Lahren, the conservative mega star, who was recently sidelined at The Blaze also take on a prominent role? The exact “who” won’t be clear until the deal is more defined but the source says the pitch is that the network could immediately reach at least 85 million homes. == > http://www.mediaite.com/tv/exclusive-advanced-talks-underway-for-new-conservative-network-amid-fears-fox-news-moving-too-far-left/

Strong Resistance at near 55 My view on the EUR is it has rallied to about 55 PHP per EUR EUR -inPHP ... update And I expect there to be strong resistance near these levels. If it can punch through 55-56, the EUR could go much higher, like 62 or more Full disclosure: i now hold June EUR puts (actually FXE puts), and I am slightly in profit.

A family-friendly, pop-up beer garden on a decrepit West Philly block? 22 March 2017 Longtime West Philly resident Jeff Lutzner pitches “Pentridge Station,” a playground/park/beer garden proposed for a vacant lot on the 5100 block of Pentridge Street (Photo by West Philly Local). A longtime West Philly resident is gambling that people will want to travel down a troubled street that is lined with abandoned cars, empty buildings and a quasi-legal automotive shop that sometimes hosts raucous outdoor parties during which shots have been fired to visit his kid-friendly, pop-up beer garden. It sounds risky, but several people who attended last night’s Cedar Park Neighbors zoning committee meeting to discuss the proposed seasonal beer garden in an abandoned lot on the 5100 block of Pentridge Street said they will support it. Jeff Lutzner, a longtime resident and block captain on the 4900 block of Cedar Avenue, owns the lot and hopes that the beer garden/playground might bring some much-needed attention to the block. “We really want it to be a place where families could convene,” Lutzner told the 30 or so people gathered at the meeting. “Pentridge Station” would run from June 23 to Sept. 16 on the fenced-in, 75-by-104-foot lot. According to renderings that Lutzner presented, the lot would include a cordoned-off area for beer (Dock Street would be a supplier, according to Lutzner). The rest of the lot includes lounging areas, a “painting wall” for kids and maybe even a sandbox or two, he said. Two porta potties would be onsite, and Lutzner said he is in negotiations with one or two food trucks to be onsite during open hours. . . . According to the proposal, the beer garden would be open Thursday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and might include occasional live music (acoustic only), karaoke and stand-up comedy. All of those would wrap up by 10 p.m. Nonetheless, noise was a concern for many nearby residents at the meeting, as was security. . . . The proposal does not require zoning approval – just a permit. == > more: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2017/03/22/a-family-friendly-pop-up-beer-garden-on-a-decrepit-west-philly-block/ These comments show the sort of reaction these ideas get: ============== Y. Pantman Says: March 22nd, 2017 at 11:20 am "No beer garden please, i dont want this near my house." I couldnt attend the meeting but this is just not the spot for it. Please stop trying to gentrify west philly with ‘family friendly’ things that really just bring more white college students and white people with toddlers into our neighborhood and push housing prices even higher. Jason Says: March 22nd, 2017 at 12:00 pm I can’t imagine that you are going to get much sympathy with a racist argument like that. Things change unfortunately. Housing prices go up which bring jobs, opportunities, and higher costs. I moved away from a place where I could no longer afford to live. Yeah, it sucks.. Why bother complaining about white people though when your supposed problem is with rich people? Y. Pantman Says: March 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 pm gentrification is not racist to talk about but sorry if youre offended though. but its true and if you think a beer garden with expensive beers isnt gentrification for certain kinds of people you must be kidding. Jocelyn Says: March 22nd, 2017 at 1:59 pm "If approved we hope to offer a price point for beers ranging from $3-$5". Similar to the one we have at Dahlak which allows us to have a very diverse group of patrons! Check out my follow up post on the Cedar Park Neighbors and West Willy’s Facebook groups, for a detailed breakdown of peoples concerns in last nights meeting. Y. Pantman, we really plan to be much more than a beer garden, look forward to your response after you have a bit more information. Meantime, statistics like these show why some people are complaining: Philadelphia Is Losing Affordable Housing at an Alarming Rate ... Dec 29, 2016 - Philadelphia is experiencing rapid gentrification as college-educated home buyers start looking for affordable neighborhoods with eclectic ... It is impossible to please everyone

Looks like I missed this development from last year - on the 5100 Block of Baltimore Avenue Greensgrow West Moves Further West Tuesday, August 30, 2016 Mixed-use building planned on the 4900 block of Baltimore / Mr. Fox We've been following the story of the Greensgrow Farms expansion into West Philly for over three years, and the latest chapter might be the most exciting one yet. Initially, Greensgrow planned to move to a long vacant lot at the corner of 51st & Baltimore, even holding a community meeting to discuss the possibility. That property fell through, and about two years ago Greensgrow West opened at 4912 Baltimore Ave., a vacant lot in the middle of a vibrant retail block. There had been a building here previously which was home to Elena's Soul restaurant, but it unfortunately burned down in 2012. Last year, we told you about plans for Greengrow to move to a larger space at 5123-39 Baltimore Ave., a vacant City-owned parcel. And earlier this month, they made their move to the new location. The new Greensgrow West, on the 5100 block of Baltimore Ave. Sadly, they weren't open when we passed by earlier today so we couldn't get a first hand glimpse inside the new space. According to West Philly Local, the new location includes: an expanded garden center selection, a selection of local seasonal produce, CSA pickup, classroom / event space, a small office made out of shipping containers, and more. And there's a tiny house designed by Drexel Architecture coming in the next few months which should add even more personality to the place. Tiny House rendering But perhaps you're wondering about the property at 4912 Baltimore Ave. which has been home to Greensgrow for the last two years? Developers bought that property earlier this year, paying $125K for the 2,500 sqft parcel. They're now looking to build a mixed-use building on the property, with ground-floor retail and five units above. That project goes to the ZBA this week, so we'll see what happens there. Former Greensgrow West As for the new Greensgrow, they'll have their official grand opening celebration on September 8th, during the Dollar Stroll. > another great article from Mr Fox, at OCF: http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/west-philly/greensgrow-west-moves-further-west

Renewed hopes for 220 mph bullet train from Philly to Baltimore ... Dec 16, 2016 - Renewed hopes for 220 mph bullet train from Philly to Baltimore ... The proposed Northeast Corridor line for the Northeast Maglev train. A wide-ranging federal proposal to expand the role of railway transportation in the northeast United States could potentially bring a new Amtrak stop to Philadelphia International Airport, crank up the speed of trains and increase the volume of intercity rides along the Northeast Corridor. Documents released Friday by the Federal Railway Adminstration (FRA) outline a comprehensive plan to improve the efficiency and reliability of the rail system through an investment plan focused on building capacity in the region's economic nerve centers along the corridor, from Washington, D.C. to to Boston. Source/Federal Rail Administration. Map of potential projects under FRA's Preferred Alternative Plan. Formed over a four-year period, the long-term proposal incorporates the feedback of more than 3,200 individuals, agencies and organizations. The full scope of the $120 billion plan, if implemented, would unfold over a 30-year-period, providing more service options and convenience for commuters within and between cities. For Philadelphians, it could mean speedier and more accessible trips to places like New York City and Baltimore, reviving the eventual prospect of last year's much-hyped bullet train proposal that would whisk locals to the nation's capital and New York in 30 and 25 minutes, respectively, using the Northeast Maglev Train. Currently, Amtrak's high-speed Acela trains make the Philly-to-D.C. trip in an hour and 40 minutes and Philly-to-NYC in an hour and 10 minutes. The map above, released last year by Maglev as Maryland received $27.8 million for bullet train research, already envisioned a designated stop at Philadelphia International Airport == > more: http://www.phillyvoice.com/renewed-hopes-220-mph-bullet-train-philly-baltimore/

New York, DC home buyers eye Philly for next move, report says Apr 28, 2017 A new Redfin report finds that New Yorkers and Washingtonians were most likely to search for homes in Philadelphia than their own hometowns. 1 comment: Philly has some obvious draws for New Yorkers and Washingtonians, namely lower median home prices. For example, according to Redfin’s own data, Philly’s median home price was 59 percent of the $375,000 paid for a typical home in D.C. in March. Also, Philly is just two hours from either city, so commuting to NYC or D.C. while living here isn’t completely out of the question Report: It’s 50 percent cheaper to buy than rent in Philly Report: Philly is the best place for millennials right nowApr 27, 2017 Young adults are more likely to own homes and make more money than their older peers in Philly than any other U.S. city. Report: Philly’s home inventory dropped 32 percent in last five yearsA new report by Trulia reveals that the lack of affordable and available homes for sale is making it a really tough market for first-time homebuyers. === === It is not surprizing to see the rising interest in Philly from neighboring cities, given: + Lower prices, and higher yields, + Decent jobs for young people, and their consequent ability to buy their first home + Meantime, the quality of the Philly lifestyle is constantly improving in many ways

TRANSPORT matters, when it comes to house price appreciation University City’s Neighborhood Premium Report: Market-Frankford line’s impact on Philly home values Does living near the El make housing values skyrocket? by Melissa Romero Apr 4, 2017, Does living along the Market-Frankford subway line, known by riders as the El, contribute to skyrocketing housing values? If you live in Center City, University City, or Fishtown, the answer is a resounding yes. Elsewhere, however, it’s a little less clear. That’s the consensus of a new report by Econsult Solutions, which took a look at home sales in Philly neighborhoods located along the El and compared them to the city’s numbers overall. The result: The Neighborhood Premium, or “how much more or less houses sell for in that neighborhood versus the city as a whole,” explained Jonathan Tannen, Ph.D., a director at Econsult Solutions. Some background on the El: It runs from 69th Street Station in West Philly and essentially cuts right through Center City until it reaches Old City, then curves up North until the end of the line at the Frankford Transportation Center. == > http://philly.curbed.com/2017/4/4/15175752/philadelphia-public-transit-home-value-effect-ecoconsult My opinion: The University City premium is not only for the MFL, but also for the Trolley Lines (like #34 that goes up and down Baltimore Avenue, and connects commuters to the City Center

New York, DC home buyers eye Philly for next move, report says Apr 28, 2017 A new Redfin report finds that New Yorkers and Washingtonians were most likely to search for homes in Philadelphia than their own hometowns. 1 comment: Philly has some obvious draws for New Yorkers and Washingtonians, namely lower median home prices. For example, according to Redfin’s own data, Philly’s median home price was 59 percent of the $375,000 paid for a typical home in D.C. in March. Also, Philly is just two hours from either city, so commuting to NYC or D.C. while living here isn’t completely out of the question Philadelphia Real Estate Market Reports Report: It’s 50 percent cheaper to buy than rent in Philly Philly home prices: Price ranges in various neighborhoods right now Report: Philly is number one in walkability and new construction Report: Philly is the best place for millennials right nowApr 27, 2017 Young adults are more likely to own homes and make more money than their older peers in Philly than any other U.S. city. Report: Philly’s home inventory dropped 32 percent in last five yearsA new report by Trulia reveals that the lack of affordable and available homes for sale is making it a really tough market for first-time homebuyers. / 2 / The state of Philly’s housing market, in five charts Pew’s latest report reveals some eye-popping stats about housing in Philly by Melissa Romero; Apr 7, 2017 1. Median housing prices have risen and home sales hit a major milestone in 2016 2. There were more home sales in 2016 than any year post-Great Recession. 3. There’s still a big need for affordable housing (But dropped from 77,694 in 2014 to 42,886 in 2016) 4. The rent is "too high", even for Philly - with 56.4% paying at least 30% of Income in Rent 5. Homes in Philly are “substantially” more affordable than in other cities ("Salary needed" of $53,422 is very Near the US mean of $52,699; but well below the costs in other East Coast cities, such as: 39% below Boston, 35% below Washington, and 6% below Baltimore. But is +65% above Pittsburg and +39% above Detroit.) "You don’t have to earn the big bucks to be able to afford a median-priced home in Philly—that’s the good news. The bad news is that although you need $53,422 to be able to afford to buy here, the city’s median income is $41,233. However, that number has been growing steadily in recent years. The researchers write, “Over the last two years, Philadelphia’s median income has grown faster in percentage terms than those of all of the comparison cities, with the exception of Washington.” == > Charts, etc.: http://philly.curbed.com/2017/4/7/15209526/philadelphia-housing-rental-statistics-pew-report === === It is not surprizing to see the rising interest in Philly from neighboring cities, given: + Lower prices, and higher yields, + Decent jobs for young people, and their consequent ability to buy their first home there + Meantime, the quality of the Philly lifestyle is constantly improving in many ways

Difficulty Ahead In Preserving Socioeconomic Diversity For Gentrifying Neighborhoods March 25, 2015 | Morning Blend What the data suggests for the future of economic equality in Philadelphia, Tinicum approves PHL runway expansion plans, food trucks push for less restrictive municipal regulations, and Clark urges Archdiocese to refrain from demolishing Fishtown church just yet > more

Developers picked to rebuild at MOVE site face wary neighbors at project kickoff by NewsWorks on April 28, 2017 6200 Osage Ave, Philadelphia PA 62nd St and Osage Avenue, Philadelphia PA Philadelphia has the distinction of being one of the only cities in history to have bombed itself. On May 13, 1985, the police dropped a satchel of explosives of 6221 Osage… This article has 2 other Philadelphia locations ( Show) Developers picked to rebuild at MOVE site face wary neighbors at project kickoff Thirty-two years ago, the City of Philadelphia bombed itself. When it rebuilt the 6200 blocks of Osage and Pine, the developer hired to fix the mess used shoddy materials, and went to jail for theft of city money. . . . In 2016, the Redevelopment Authority issued a Request for Proposals to redevelop 36 vacant city-owned homes on Osage Avenue and Pine Street, which the old contractor had so badly bungled. Last week the Redevelopment Authority announced the winning bidder is AJR Endeavors, a team of three men—Anthony Fullard, James Robertson, and Rodney Ross—who have taken on the task of healing the physical scar of the 1985 bombing of the MOVE compound. The task is herculean, the developers recognize, and not just because of the dilapidated state of the vacant rowhouses they’ll be rehabilitating. Community members made the emotional import of the project very clear at an introductory meeting organized by District Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. “What’s happening in North Dakota what's going on with historical land there, well this is historical lands with us,” said Malik Johnson, president of the Cobbs Creek Advisory Council. “I understand developers have to make money. That’s your job, but this is not about money. For us it’s about we live here, we were born here, our parents died here, some of our kids died here. Its intangible. It’s about the whole working of the heart.” http://planphilly.com

Bartram's Mile, A New Waterfront Trail, Is Now Open In Southwest Philadelphia This past weekend brought the opening of the new Bartram's Mile, a 1.1-mile running, walking and biking trail along the Schuylkill River with stellar skyline views. Formerly an underutilized space along the river, Bartram's Mile is now a verdant water-facing space for bikers, walkers, runners and bird watchers that provides an appropriate connection to Bartram's Garden, a historical botanical garden and outdoor attraction located on the trail. http://www.uwishunu.com Photos: Here's what you'll see along the now-open Bartram's Mile Beautiful vantage points, simple seating, and a walk through the historic botanic Bartram's Garden are just some of the sights along the one-mile trail. http://philly.curbed.com

(This plan could be an even bigger shot-in-arm for property near Amtrac stations, esp. in North Philly): Renewed hopes for 220 mph bullet train from Philly to Baltimore ... Dec 16, 2016 - Renewed hopes for 220 mph bullet train from Philly to Baltimore ... The proposed Northeast Corridor line for the Northeast Maglev train. A wide-ranging federal proposal to expand the role of railway transportation in the northeast United States could potentially bring a new Amtrak stop to Philadelphia International Airport, crank up the speed of trains and increase the volume of intercity rides along the Northeast Corridor. Documents released Friday by the Federal Railway Adminstration (FRA) outline a comprehensive plan to improve the efficiency and reliability of the rail system through an investment plan focused on building capacity in the region's economic nerve centers along the corridor, from Washington, D.C. to to Boston. Source/Federal Rail Administration. Map of potential projects under FRA's Preferred Alternative Plan. Formed over a four-year period, the long-term proposal incorporates the feedback of more than 3,200 individuals, agencies and organizations. The full scope of the $120 billion plan, if implemented, would unfold over a 30-year-period, providing more service options and convenience for commuters within and between cities. For Philadelphians, it could mean speedier and more accessible trips to places like New York City and Baltimore, reviving the eventual prospect of last year's much-hyped bullet train proposal that would whisk locals to the nation's capital and New York in 30 and 25 minutes, respectively, using the Northeast Maglev Train. Currently, Amtrak's high-speed Acela trains make the Philly-to-D.C. trip in an hour and 40 minutes and Philly-to-NYC in an hour and 10 minutes. The map above, released last year by Maglev as Maryland received $27.8 million for bullet train research, already envisioned a designated stop at Philadelphia International Airport == > more: http://www.phillyvoice.com/renewed-hopes-220-mph-bullet-train-philly-baltimore/

Improvements needed in Baltimore Avenue's "Blighted Zone" (near Baltimore & 50th-53rd St.) 52nd St is the busiest bus line in the district, and has often been called West Philly's "Main St." How it was: 5055 Baltimore Ave... pd / map : https://www.google.com.hk/maps/place/5055+Baltimore+Ave,+Philadelphia,+PA+19143,+USA/@39.9479779,-75.2273979,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c6c6c01a5d4dbf:0xe15cc633ae001c55!8m2!3d39.9479779!4d-75.2252092?hl=en (As of Google's Nov. 2016 photos, these blighted building were still there.) I first saw this area noted as a "blighted" when I read the 2035 Focus Areas Plan & Baltimore corridor redevelopment plan. + Re-certify for blighted conditions and update the Redevelopment Area Plans for the following redevelopment areas: • South 51st Street and Baltimore Avenue ===== A nearby corner was improved in this way: Baltimore Crossing at 48th Street and Baltimore Ave By reducing the amount of roadway pedestrians must cross, the project reduces the amount of time pedestrians are in the crosswalk and exposed to vehicles. The bumpouts cut the distance between the Gold Standard corner and the Calvary Center corner by roughly 41%, the distance across 48th Street by 42% and the distance across Florence Ave by 51%. The bumpouts are also intended to slow cars as they turn onto now narrower streets. = => above was first posted, as #89: http://www.greenenergyinvestors.com/index.php?showtopic=20036&page=5 One to watch : Empty Lot at 5123 Baltimore Ave., the property to the right was under renovation

Will Rejuvenation Spread Beyond the 52nd "Philly's Main St." barrier? West Philly is gentrifying West, along the transport lines, for instance. But "Main St." at 52nd St. remains a barrier... PB (Reader comment, received by email): "As for West Philly South, Cedar Park is gentrifying very nicely and is quite expensive already, but it's still hard to see the expansion far beyond 52nd or 53rd street. Perhaps in a few more years." Yeah. I want to record and monitor the Westerly spread (here on this thread) if and when it happens MAP : w/o restaurants : Cedar Park attractions : Spruce Hill : ==> The above image has been added to the original post

200 Million views ... with multiple messages "in plain sight" . Katy Perry - Chained To The Rhythm (Official) ft. Skip Marley "Taking over from Madonna as the new Queen of the Illuminati" As she transports people to Oblivia Jeff Rense & Tim Rifat - Hidden Meanings And Messages In Katy Perry's 'Chained To The Rhythm' Published on Apr 26, 2017 Link To Download PDF (16.5 megs)http://www.rense.com/KatyPerryChained... (A glimpse of Hillary Hell in a parallel universe?)

Big Shot in Arm Proposed for North PhillySandy Smith | March 20, 2017 | 2 Comments A view of the proposed North Station District development’s first phase. | Rendering: Spagnolo Group Architecture A group of New York real estate investors has been working quietly behind the scenes to assemble land for a project that would be truly transformative for North Philadelphia. As of last Saturday, their project has come out of the shadows. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported March 18th that an investment syndicate led by HFZ Capital Group plans to build two new mixed-use buildings and renovate a third on land it has acquired around North Philadelphia Amtrak station. Read more » Read more at http://www.phillymag.com/category/new-projects/#zLkUBUH8Yd0mk3JX.99 Testing The Gentrification Narrative At Temple University May 4, 2016 | Vantage Development and displacement go hand-in-hand, but every situation is unique and gentrification isn't always an entirely accurate assessment. Contributor David Hilbert takes a look at the North Philadelphia neighborhood surrounding Temple University where new construction for student housing is putting pressure on long time residents > more

More Community-Building in Brewerytown, Starting at $425KSandy Smith | March 24, 2017 at 1:37 pm | 1 Comment i Brewers Mill Townhomes | Renderings: Cadre Design via Agent PHL Last week, we showcased the one-home-at-a-time approach to transforming a rundown block with our Hard Hat Tour of 1423 N. Myrtlewood St. in Brewerytown. This week, we have an example of the package-deal approach: the Brewers Mill Townhomes project on the 1400 block of North 28th Street, a block and a half to the east. This development from Argo Property Group is also an infill project, consisting at the outset of nine brand-new townhomes designed by Cadre Design of Manayunk. The homes are scattered throughout a block of a street that, like Myrtlewood, currently consists of some occupied homes, some vacant ones and some empty lots. Read more » Read more at http://www.phillymag.com/category/new-projects/#zLkUBUH8Yd0mk3JX.99

TAX changes from 2000 have encouraged new development Tax Abatement Huge Shot in Arm for City, Study FindsSandy Smith | April 10, 2017 | 2 Comments The 10-year tax abatement program has led to an explosion of new housing in the city, much of it at the lower end of the market, a BIA study finds. And when the abatements expire, the city’s balance sheet will be better off for it. Consider the 10-year property tax abatements on new construction and rehabilitation a down payment on a future gusher in revenue for the city thanks to the huge jump in construction activity it has triggered, argues a study released in late March by the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia. The abatement, which freezes property taxes on improvements to commercial and residential property in the city for 10 years from completion, has completely reversed the trendlines for new construction activity in the city compared to its suburbs, states the BIA report, “Philadelphia’s 10-Year Property Tax Abatement” (PDF). Since its implementation in 2000, new home building in the city has increased by 376 percent, while in the suburbs, it has fallen 11.25 percent on average across the four collar counties. That means a future flood of revenues into city coffers. Read more » Read more at http://www.phillymag.com/category/new-projects/#6At6FCAzb7wlVzuj.99

COMING SOON ? ...: Brand new building at 4224 Baltimore Avenue 4224 Baltimore Avenue. Located at the corner of 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue in the Spruce Hill area of West Philadelphia... another map (parking) View-Looking-West > See the link: www.4224baltimore.com Unfortunately, the development was "still a pit", as of early 2017 : 4224 Baltimore Avenue site still a pit, 4 years later What’s going on with this project? Feb 28, 2017 : http://philly.curbed.com/2017/2/28/14753432/4224-baltimore-avenue-development-philadelphia-status “Our understanding in Spruce Hill is that the project is still on the drawing board and that the property owner is in the process of completing engineering studies and construction drawings.” - originally purchased for $3.5 million in 2008

Development & Repurposing along Baltimore Avenue Here's an example of the write-ups that are done on changing neighborhoods on the OCF Realty site (Cedar Ave., and Baltimore Ave., near 46th St.) Mixed-Use Building Looking Finished on Baltimore Avenue Tenants still filling in the first floor February 21, 2017 : by "Mr. Fox" 7 Comments The triangular lot at 4610 Cedar Ave., which happens to be the intersection with Baltimore Avenue, has been woefully underused for a really long time. A one-story building stood here which resembled a tiny McDonald's and housed a PFCU branch until 2010. Though a couple of businesses looked at leasing the building in the years since, nothing opened up. Given the heat on the Baltimore Avenue commercial corridor, this setup didn't make much sense. In the past In the summer of 2015, we told you that the building had been demolished and that plans were moving forward to build a mixed-use building here. At the time, we understood that plans called for eight apartments and ground-floor retail but we didn't have much more information. Also, a neighbor had appealed the project, which had gotten its permits by-right, so it wasn't a slam dunk that it was even going to happen. Checking in on the property now though, we can see that it has indeed moved forward, and it looks to be complete. Current view Not sure who's taking the third space Somewhere along the line, the project chopped out one unit, so the finished product includes 7 apartments above 3 retail spaces. None of the stores are open as of yet, but we can see that one of the stores will be a nail salon and another will be an ice cream shop called Swirl Cafe. The last place is called Red Lotus, but we're not sure what that place will be- perhaps a restaurant? As we said before, the owner of the property is the family that owns Vietnam Cafe, Grill Fish Cafe, and Fu-Wah Mini Market (try the banh mi!), so another food use would certainly seem to make sense. But the third store doesn't really matter to us. Whatever kind of place it is, we'd argue that this building is a great success as it represents a massive upgrade for the intersection. If anything, we'd have liked to see a four-story building instead. People who live nearby, do you appreciate this project? Or would you have preferred a different project at this address? == > OCF : http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/west-philly/mixed-use-building-looking-finished-on-baltimore-avenue February 24, 2017 As student housing projects have drifted into Southwest Philadelphia, we've seen additional development move further west on Baltimore Avenue. Take, for example, the large Greensgrow which opened last summer on the 5100 block. Or you could also consider the event space that opened on the south side of the 5000 block about a year ago. Recently, another business joined the fray, as Booker's Restaurant opened its doors on the north side of the 5000 block of Baltimore Avenue. Restaurateur Saba Tedla, owner of Aksum Cafe on the 4600 block, had been planning a restaurant called Babylon Bistro at 5021-23 Baltimore Ave. several years ago, but somehow the business morphed into Booker's along the way. Now it's a hundred seat bar-restaurant that also has live music. We'll properly check it out next time we're in the area during their business hours, but the menu looks pretty solid. And not for nothing, but the buildings are looking much better than they did a few years back. Read more Shows the spread of development past Baltimore Avenue > http://www.ocfrealty.com/tag/baltimore-avenue

PHOTOS and Videos Foodie Heaven on Baltimore Ave., during the Dollar Stroll Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll Greenline Cafe on Baltimore Ave. Mood Cafe, at XX Baltimore Ave. Baltimore Avenue businesses, a gallery : http://babawestphilly.org/gallery/