Philadelphia's Garment Square

[eldondre]

Should the city bring back this moniker in an attempt to brand the area around Broad and Lehigh? I've always thought this area was ripe for redevelopment utilizing it's road and rail connections as well as killer views of center city. Perhaps giving it a brand, as they did with west parkside's centennial district, woudl help? (of course, they so named the centennial district to tap into federal funds for historical districts)

During the twentieth century growth continued above Erie Avenue whereas the areas closer to Center City were redeveloped. The automobile industry appeared on Broad Street between Vine Street and Fairmount Avenue, forming a "Gasoline Alley." Carriage and wagon works were replaced with the large factories of Packard, Cadillac, Ford, and Studebaker. By 1925 auto companies and machine shops serving them were located at Broad and Lehigh as well. 12 It was not until later that this intersection became designated "Garment Square" because of its association with Botany 500 and Queen Casuals

North Phila.

[thoth]

They've had little "Garment Square" signs mounted on the street lights up there that look like they date back to some 70s-80s redevelopment effort. Doesn't seem like there is much else besides the signs left. I agree that intersection would be an excellent locus for some sort of reinvestment. Even though the surrounding area can be pretty nasty, I would bet serious money that you could get Temple Students to live in a renovated Botany 500 building no problem. Great distance from Main and the med campus. It also is active enough during daytime hours that I've never felt particularly threatened.

Along with the big PHA office/supply yard, the Temple Medical Branch, the Subway stop, the North Philadelphia RR stop, the Amtrak stop (still active?) and its adjoining commercial plaza that's built into the old station, I'd say you could swing a small market/convenience store that would make living there as a student more attractive too. Artist lofts would be totally feasible also, but I doubt you would ever be able to put together the money to do that considering the size of that space. Probably will sit until a big money institution comes through

[eldondre]

some of the buildings look to be in good shape (unlike the beury) and could potentially be done as real lofts with very little money. there's already a pathmark over by the train station. I think they could work as rentals with relatively little investment, initially the main market would probably be students. the main thing would be to get some sort of pub/restaurant to open in one of the buildings to serve this market (better than the infamous franchise sports bar). bringing back regular amtrak service would be a big help esp with lower fares to NYC

[thoth]

Agreed that there needs to be some kind of anchor, but I figure if we're talking the near future (5-10 yrs) it would be tricky attracting and operating a pub in that area.

[Scoats]

I don't see much benefit in renaming an area for something that ain't there anymore and shows no signs of coming back. Planning something practical and job producing for that area and naming it after that would seem more beneficial.

[eldondre]

the only thing that's there NOW are train stations. FWIW, being named the "meatpacking district" despite the fact that there's little ematpacking going on hasn't hurt that area of NYC. Fishtown no longer smells of fish or is filled with fish markets.It's not really renaming as reviving a name. Of course, the bigger question is why is this not a KOZ and the Navy Yard is?

[lemko]

If we can only bring back those massive garment manufacturers from China and points elsewhere, there would be hope for Garment Square and other once-productive areas of Philadelphia. I'm sick of going to the store and not being able to find any clothing made here at any price! Botany 500 was once a brand to be proud of. Not much pride in wearing a suit with a label that reads "Made in China" or some other Third-World toilet!

[eldondre]

those jobs went to carolina before they went to madagascar

[uly55es1]

Further they are not coming back. Best to look to the future and Green jobs.

[plyfreak]

I don't see much benefit in renaming an area for something that ain't there anymore and shows no signs of coming back. Planning something practical and job producing for that area and naming it after that would seem more beneficial.

I agree, but if the redevelopment of North Philadelphia continues moving north it won't hurt the area to have such a branding. But you are right, it is probably a long ways in the future since at this point it would essentially be an island in the heart of a very depressed area.