With the key assumption that more of Philadelphia needs to see the benefits of the recent wave of investment that has come to the city's urban core, politicians at varying levels of government are considering multiple policy options.
Ariel Ben-Amos, a lecturer from the Urban Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, writes an editorial in favor of the value capture enabled by legislation under consideration by the state of Pennsylvania as a mechanism for investing in neglected neighborhoods like North Philly, West Philly, and Southwest Philly.
Ben-Amos is appealing for support of Senate Bill 385, which would "make it possible for SEPTA and the city to repay [transportation improvement] bonds using the increase in liquor, sales and use, personal income, corporate net income and other taxes that are generated by the fixed-up infrastructure, instead of just property taxes." Senate Bill 375 would also "let SEPTA and the city use these funds to finance planning for construction projects," according to Ben-Amos.
The opinion article sets the policy recommendations of SB 375 in contrast to a recent proposal by Councilmember Allan Domb to "double the city’s controversial tax abatement from 10 to 20 years for properties worth less than $250,000."
The underlying assumption of either proposal, however, is key: that Philadelphia is looking for ways to parlay the investments of recent years in Center City farther out into long-neglected neighborhoods.
SEPTA Awarded $153 Million to Stave Off Fare Hikes
Philadelphia’s struggling transit system will be able to delay a 30 percent fare raise, but the temporary fix won't do nearly enough to close its budget gap.
Why Philly’s SEPTA Faces a ‘Death Spiral’
The state has not offered a sustainable source of funding to meet the transit agency’s $240 million budget gap.
How Does Air Quality in a Philly Subway Station Compare to the Outdoors?
A team of researchers found much higher levels of particulate matter inside the City Hall subway station than on the street-level sidewalks directly above the station.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service