Massive Development Near South Philly Sports Complex Could Vie With Comcast Spectacor Project Next Door
Two dueling visions for large mixed-use developments near South Philadelphia's sports and entertainment venues came to a head during a city council meeting Wednesday.
The Philadelphia Suburban Development Corp. and its partner Hines unveiled detailed plans last month to build 1,367 apartments, 125K SF of retail and 393K SF of office space as part of its proposed Stadium Square project. It would occupy a lot on the corner of Packer Avenue and Seventh Street next to the Live Casino and Hotel.
The partners requested several zoning variances during a hearing for the Committee on Rules, which voted unanimously to advance the proposal, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The full council could pass the legislation as early as next week.
The body rejected a request for a 60-day delay on the vote from representatives for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Phillies and Comcast Spectacor, which is working on its own $2.5B mixed-use development project between the Wells Fargo Center and Citizens Bank Park. That project could bring hotels, apartments and a 5,500-seat performance stage to what is now a vast field of parking lots.
Hercules Grigos, a zoning lawyer representing the development team, said Comcast Spectacor previously tried to purchase the parcel PSDC and Hines want to develop, according to the Inquirer.
Stadium Square would bring family-friendly attractions to a neighborhood that lacks destinations outside of the sports and entertainment venues, said Brandon Segal, managing director of Hines’ Philadelphia office.
But Michael Harris, vice president of marketing and government affairs for the Philadelphia Phillies, panned the plan as an “unprecedented introduction of people, use density and vehicle circulation impacting the sports stadium district in a new 24/7, year-round property use,” according to the Inquirer.
Parking was also a major concern for Harris, who said the plans call for just 1,234 spaces in a development with 1,367 apartments.
Harris argued PSDC and Hines hadn’t done enough outreach with other stakeholders, including Comcast Spectacor. There were also concerns about a traffic impact study for the project that hasn’t been released yet. Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who represents this section of South Philly, said that will be available for review soon.
A planning document for Stadium Square shows that the new development would generally be open to auto traffic, but most of the main thoroughfares would be pedestrian-only during major events in the neighborhood.
Renderings of the complex show a series of low- and mid-rise buildings that would occupy six distinct blocks centered on a central boulevard and a series of outdoor green spaces.
“We do not oppose new development in the stadium complex area,” Harris said “We simply urge that developments follow a comprehensive review consistent with the city’s [previous] practices at the sports stadium complex.”
