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Date:                   Jan. 25, 2007

Location:             PMH Schuylkill Printing Plant Library

Moderators:       Stacie Molnar-Main and Alan Sharavsky

 

Participants in each group were first asked to describe one hope or one fear as the city enters its election year.  Then each group did an exercise that asked participants to imagine they were giving a good friend’s family advice on whether to move to Philadelphia.

  • What would be the pros and cons of that move?
  • What forces and factors underlie those pros and cons?
  • What steps could the city and region take to strengthen those pros or weaken those cons?

For a full description of the exercise, see http://go.philly.com/friendsdilemma

Moderators' Report:  

What were the group's most striking hopes/fears?

 

HOPES:

  • Emphases in the mayoral race will extend beyond the current administration to allow real comparison of the candidates.
  • New administration brings a regional perspective - integration of city/regional projects.
  • Environmental sustainability will be a focus.
  • The private sector will be uplifted.
  • Public education will be strengthened and preserved.
  • New mayor will unite the city.
  • City will become a safer place to live and visit.

What "pros" emerged as most important?

1. Park system. The park system is an under-funded and under-appreciated gem of the city. 

 

2. Cultural activities. The city offers a wide range of cultural activities and entertainment for regional residents. This is supported by a climate of creative entrepreneurism. 

 

What "cons" emerged as most important?

1. Schools. Poor schools and the perception of poor schools in the city would lead many in this group to recommend that their friend avoid living in the city.

 

2. Crime. Gun crimes are a major concern.

  

3. Workforce / jobs. The city is not attracting high-quality employers or a workforce that will attract employers.

 

4. Transportation / commuting. The public-transportation system does not adequately serve suburban residents. Parking is expensive, and there seems to be little coordinated effort to promote carpooling.

 

5. Slow-moving bureaucracy. It takes forever to get anything done in/with Philadelphia.

   

Let's look at the pros and cons in detail:

 

1. Pro: Park system

Why is this pro important?

     The Philadelphia Park System is a unique part of the city that contributes to a rich, natural urban environment. Fairmont Park, bike trails, Wissahickon Valley, and south Philly golf course provide opportunities for entertainment, relaxation and exercise. Trails connect city with region. "Philly has a touch of the wild world that allows (residents) to stay in touch with nature."

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Friends of the Park groups

  • Foresight of previous generations

  • Public and private funding

  • Access

  • Planning

What action steps could strengthen it? What actors should do them?

     Not discussed.

 

2. Pro: Park system

Why is this pro important?

     Cultural activities make Philly a destination city. The region is a highly creative place to live and provides lots of opportunity for those that work in the arts. The Mural Arts program, which combines arts with neighborhood and youth development, is a model program. 

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Creative entrepreneurs
  • Avenue of the Arts
  • History of the city
  • Mural Arts program
  • Horticultural Society (reclaiming vacant lots)
  • Philadelphians own their arts (e.g Gross Clinic).
  • Foundation support

What action steps could strengthen it? What actors should do them?

     Not discussed.

 

Now the cons ...

 

1. Con: Schools

Why is this con important?

     Philadelphia provides an "untrustworthy education." Quality of education is inconsistent across schools and within schools. Safety is also a major issue. Issues from the community seep into the classroom, contributing to a culture/climate/environment that works against academic achievement.  

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Community and family issues that affect youth development
  • Community and family involvement in schools (State control may undermine community involvement.)
  • Overcrowded classes
  • Use of substitutes

What action steps could weaken it? What actors should do them?

  • Levy a 2 percent tax across the city similar to the tax to Center City businesses: Dedicate 1 percent to improving school security; dedicate 1 percent to creating high-quality extracurricular activities at every high school.

  • Expand sports and music programs citywide.

  • Convert abandon building/properties near schools to athletic fields (eminent domain?).

  • Create a PR campaign promoting the positive in city schools.

2. Con: Crime 

Why is this con important?

     There is a perception that the city is unsafe. This affects decisions to live and work in the city. It also affects employers’ decisions to locate there.

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Drugs
  • Lack of opportunity
  • Availability of handguns
  • Poverty
  • Culture of some communities

What action steps could weaken it? What actors should do them?

  • Place limits on gun sales/possession.
  • Increase use of surveillance cameras and auto-detection of gunfire.
  • Increase police presence in the city.
  • Extend town watch programs.

3. Con: Transportation

Why is this con important?

     Access to public transportation and smart transportation options are a regional development and (environmental) sustainability issue. 

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Rail service is inadequate and too inefficient for large-scale regional use.
  • There is not adequate parking at rail stations and carpool sites.
  • Most people can’t walk to public transportation (rail), as they can in London and other places.

What action steps could weaken it? What actors should do them?

  • Create "multiple-use rail stations"; Encourage developers to build rail stations into their suburban development projects (shopping, residential, etc.)
  • Develop a regional transportation plan and strategy, then implement it
  • Encourage carpooling by creating more parking locations along major routes.
  • Penalize single drivers (through tax, limiting access to some roads during certain hours, HOV lanes, etc.).
  • Create HOV program.
  • Establish metro-rail to western suburbs
  • Consider high-speed line above ground.

4. Con: Workforce / Jobs

Why is this con important?

     Jobs drive the city economy and determine the future vitality of the region. 

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

    • Changing economy
    • Not attracting employers to locate in the city: limited space, cost, convenience, taxes
    • Brain-drain – Philly is not attracting enough young talent. 

What action steps could weaken it? What actors should do them?

  • Use Navy Yard as a model.
  • Provide tax breaks to corporations that make substantial investment.
  • Create lower -cost housing options for workers.
  • Build on the hospitality industry. (Boost tourism.)