Construction's Begun, But It's Never Too Late For A Master Plan

High rise condos are popping up along Philadelphia's Delaware River, and casinos are looking to move in next. As development picks up steam along the waterfront, Mayor John Street has decided that it is never too late to draw up a master plan. His recent executive order established the Central Delaware Advisory Group, a panel composed mostly of community and business organizations.

"Street wants to attract private foundation money to pay for the master plan, the chief consultant for which will be Penn Praxis, a non-profit unit of the University of Pennsylvania, working in tandem with the City Planning Commission."

" 'We believe a plan is necessary,' Street said. 'And we think a plan should be developed outside of developer interest and the more mundane factors that drive gaming, and there ought to be a group of people who are not politically driven and not motivated by anything other than the common good.' "