Philadelphia's Reading Viaduct: An Elevated Park Connecting Neighborhoods

**Moonraker** · 11-14-2011, 11:44 AM

Philadelphia's Reading Viaduct: An Elevated Park Connecting Neighborhoods

Tuesday, November 15, 6:30 pm
In 2003, a citizen advocacy group decided to repurpose the Reading Viaduct, an elevated train track traversing the traditional northern boundaries of Center City. Panelists will provide a project history and updates on how repurposing the train track as a park will provide environmental and health benefits to local residents. More.
Register: Philadelphia's Reading Viaduct - an Elevated Park... - Eventbrite

The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-299-1000 | ansp.org

**rojnish** · 01-13-2012, 01:42 AM

Philadelphia’s secret garden… – JJ Tiziou Photography

This was amazing to me. I live only blocks from here and had no idea of the vastness.

**MTEMPLE** · 01-13-2012, 08:23 PM

The Reading Viaduct as public landscape

Walking through that tunnel is pretty cool but bring a flash light at least.

**DCnPhilly** · 03-25-2012, 02:57 PM

What's the status of this park? I read that the tracks and ties were being removed which cuts a lot of the cost anyone would need to spend just to get it started.

**BarryG** · 03-25-2012, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

What's the status of this park? I read that the tracks and ties were being removed which cuts a lot of the cost anyone would need to spend just to get it started.

It's still owned by Reading Holdings and there is no money for the project.

Where did you read about the tracks and ties?

**DCnPhilly** · 03-25-2012, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

It's still owned by Reading Holdings and there is no money for the project.

Where did you read about the tracks and ties?

That's what I thought. The Reading company was the party removing the tracks. I was just wondering if the organization pushing for the park had gained any traction. For all the talk about it, the park seems to be little more than talk.

Reading Removing Viaduct Rails | Hidden City Philadelphia

**Jayfar** · 03-25-2012, 03:20 PM

-deleted-

**BarryG** · 03-25-2012, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

That's what I thought. The Reading company was the party removing the tracks. I was just wondering if the organization pushing for the park had gained any traction. For all the talk about it, the park seems to be little more than talk.

Reading Removing Viaduct Rails | Hidden City Philadelphia

They estimate the project will cost $35M -- this before any design is done. The High Line in the beginning was estimated at $40M and ending up costing $150M, and runs nearly $10M per year in maintenance. In other words... not happening any time soon and hopefully more money and time isn't wasted making movies about it discussing its "health benefits."

It looks like the little SEPTA-owned spur will get developed ($5M) with grant money, this could be very cool and not end up being a money pit. Still, $5M could renovate city parks all over the city and improve dozens of neighborhoods instead of one.

**BarryG** · 03-25-2012, 03:45 PM

Did a little more research. When the High Line was in the planning phases, the estimated cost for the entire project was $40-65 million. Total cost (all phases): $240 Million. (That includes $90 million estimated for phase 3... it could go over).

Reading Viaduct is going to be a money pit... High Line got private donations, one as big as $20 million to complete... who is going to pony up for the overages here? The odds of this thing being completed are abysmal. The most likely scenario is that the city and state dump in millions and it turns into an elevated Disney Hole.

Fix up the neighborhood parks at $100,000 a pop instead.

Sources:
http://americancity.org/magazine/art...-garden-price/
http://www.thehighline.org/press/art...1703_1010wins/
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/200...fa_fact_gopnik

**DCnPhilly** · 03-25-2012, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

They estimate the project will cost $35M -- this before any design is done. The High Line in the beginning was estimated at $40M and ending up costing $150M, and runs nearly $10M per year in maintenance. In other words... not happening any time soon and hopefully more money and time isn't wasted making movies about it discussing its "health benefits."

It looks like the little SEPTA-owned spur will get developed ($5M) with grant money, this could be very cool and not end up being a money pit. Still, $5M could renovate city parks all over the city and improve dozens of neighborhoods instead of one.

Yup. It could also go to cleaning up the parts of this neighborhood everyone sees from the street everyday. I get the conceptual merits of an elevated park, but I personally don't understand the religious obsession some neighbors have with this one, especially in a neighborhood that needs so much attention on the ground. As long as the city isn't putting money into designs and movies, they can dream all they want. I love pretty pictures too. But realistically, if Reading Holdings isn't involved in the conversation then there is nothing to talk about.

That said, I don't think it should be torn down. The neighborhood has enough vacant land and surface lots already. If they can get Reading Holdings involved, they should start entertaining other concepts. Just because the High Line works in New York, which at $10M a year is debatable, doesn't mean it works in Callowhill.

The situation reminds me a lot of Eastern State. A neighborhood is saddled with a massive relic that's outlived its usefulness. As a ruin its interesting to the streetscape but I think all parties - the city, the neighbor, and the owners - are all struggling with how to deal with it. A park is the only tested solution and the results haven't come in yet.

**mixiboi** · 03-25-2012, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

who is going to pony up for the overages here?

Oh don't underestimate the philanthropist of Philadelphia.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 03-25-2012, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by mixiboi

Oh don't underestimate the philanthropist of Philadelphia.

I don't think we have nearly as many with the deep pockets of those in New York.

This is a pipe dream and the money would have better dividends in the ways mentioned above.

**BarryG** · 03-25-2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by mixiboi

Oh don't underestimate the philanthropist of Philadelphia.

I don't think starting a project with public money that is likely to have 2-4x cost overruns is a very good use of anybody's time and money.

I don't underestimate our philanthropists... Perelman's $225M donation to Penn Med is amazing... and I think we all are better off with the money going there, or shoring up the PMA and Orchestra. Or even Friends of Rittenhouse Sq which has financial issues...

**DCnPhilly** · 03-25-2012, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

I don't think we have nearly as many with the deep pockets of those in New York.

This is a pipe dream and the money would have better dividends in the ways mentioned above.

If Gerry Lenfest wants to slap his name on something else I'd rather it be the Divine Lorraine. Still, philanthropy is found money. I can't argue with what wealthy eccentrics decide to spend their money on. As far as the city investing in this, I don't think we even have the means to think about it.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 03-25-2012, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

If Gerry Lenfest wants to slap his name on something else I'd rather it be the Divine Lorraine. Still, philanthropy is found money. I can't argue with what wealthy eccentrics decide to spend their money on. As far as the city investing in this, I don't think we even have the means to think about it.

I'm not so concerned with what they slap their names on--I'm grateful that they want to help in any way. I am just doubtful that there is enough private money to get a project of this magnitude off the ground in any sustainable way. Beyond that, we are still a rather broke-assed city (judging by the way taxes and other fees go up around here) and shouldn't have to take on a project of this sort when basic functions go unheeded.

**BarryG** · 03-25-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

If Gerry Lenfest wants to slap his name on something else I'd rather it be the Divine Lorraine. Still, philanthropy is found money. I can't argue with what wealthy eccentrics decide to spend their money on. As far as the city investing in this, I don't think we even have the means to think about it.

The mayor, Greenberger and others have already lined up to kiss the asses of the Vianuts. They are supposedly in talks with Reading to acquire the viaduct. Hopefully this is all just political they don't really intend to put any significant city resources behind this... and not just money, but state and federal grants that could be put towards other purposes.

**mixiboi** · 03-25-2012, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

I don't underestimate our philanthropists... Perelman's $225M donation to Penn Med is amazing... and I think we all are better off with the money going there, or shoring up the PMA and Orchestra. Or even Friends of Rittenhouse Sq which has financial issues...

As DCnPhilly said, that is really up to them and who gets their attention where that money goes. While I have doubts that the Reading Viaduct dream will happen, it has as much chance as anything else when we have such wild cards who are willing to give their money away.

**Radical Ed** · 03-25-2012, 05:07 PM

Just the fact the rails are being removed devalues the importance of the viaduct for many railroad fanboi's. The abandoned Spring Garden Station is gonna look like crap with no rails running past. They should at least think about restoring the last RR station along the viaduct before destroying the very feature people find lovely about that historic railroad stretch.

**supersupper** · 03-25-2012, 05:28 PM

It will happen. Philly is merely always a few decades behind forward thinkers like NY'rs.

**supersupper** · 03-25-2012, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Radical Ed

Just the fact the rails are being removed devalues the importance of the viaduct for many railroad fanboi's. The abandoned Spring Garden Station is gonna look like crap with no rails running past. They should at least think about restoring the last RR station along the viaduct before destroying the very feature people find lovely about that historic railroad stretch.

why do you think the value lies in the rails?

The value lies in that it can be a peaceable elevated oasis in a bustling city. Philly just needs to be bustling in this area first, then it will happen.

People who oppose the project pretty much only revel in our inability be a vital world-class urban center.