Center City vs. Neighborhoods (The Next Mayor)

One issue that always seems to come up during the mayoral election is idea that there's a battle between the interest of Center City and the interests of the neighborhoods outside of Center City. Accurate or not, the perception of this wedge has affected our evaluations of mayoral performance and our expectations of the next mayor.

Ed Rendell was perceived to be focused on Center City, a characterization which, according to Buzz Bissinger's "A Prayer for the City," drove Rendell crazy. Rendell went to great lengths to make sure that his staff compiled lists that included every event he attended outside of Center City. Perception eventually became reality and even became an issue during the 1999 mayor's race as candidates sought to convince voters that they wouldn't just focus on Center City like the outgoing mayor.

John Street, on the other hand, is generally perceived to be all about the neighborhoods, a perception which he sometimes fosters and other times distances himself from depending on his audience. While addressing a group of neighborhood leaders about NTI back in the spring of 2005 he made it clear that he has always said that whatever resources Center City gets, the neighborhoods would get and then some. During the Chamber of Commerce's annual luncheon (where he unveiled the video of his Tour de Philly bike ride), he stressed that while he has worked on improving neighborhoods it hasn't taken his attention away from Center City. The proof being in the pudding, no one can argue that even while the focus of Street's major initiatives has been on the neighborhoods, Center City has enjoyed even greater growth and success than it did during the Rendell era.

Is it possible that we may be moving past these arguments? Daily News columnist Earni Young writes today about the opening of a brand new movie theater in North Philadelphia. According to her description, "The Pearl" sounds like one of those old school movie houses for which people actually got dressed up to visit. Such a theater, in an area that had formerly been shunned by private developers and victimized by redlining, is the flagship of development that includes new housing and retail. In at least one way, this theater represents a way in which a formerly downtrodden neighborhood has something that Center City doesn't have - a first-run movie complex within walking distance. In fact, being a Center City resident who happens to like movies a lot, I started this blog post just because I wanted to point out this quote from Councilman Darrell Clarke (who, incidentally represents a big chunk of Center City):

But an entire generation of North Philadelphia residents has no memory of being able to walk to a neighborhood theater, Clarke said.

"We're going to change that. I believe neighborhoods should have all the amenities that we have in Center City."

I happen to agree wholeheartedly with Councilman Clarke but in this case I would add that it would be nice if Center City had at least one of the amenities that the neighborhoods have.

Anyway, here's hoping that this development, along with the jobs, the street life, the positive activities and the optimism that come with it, helps us get to a point where the can stop talking about "Center City vs. neighborhoods" and get all of us to "Philadelphia vs. the world." Maybe someday (soon) Center City vs. neighborhoods will only be talked about in historical documentaries that you can see in a theater near you.

Comments (5)

Dave

If this were happening in West Philly, people would be screaming "Penntrification" at the top of their lungs. I'm just waiting for the "Templetrification" folks to organize...

Posted by Dave | December 4, 2006 1:30 PM

Zach

This issue of Center City vs. Neighborhoods is a myth that needs neither further coverage nor propagation. It is clear to see (to most reasonable people at least) that Center City and the various Neighborhoods outside of it, should complement one another rather than compete with each other. The market is the ultimate decider, and in Philadelphia's case it points to centralized growth. Center City is a natural place to incubate the city's economy and expand tax revenue in order to improve public education, services, and amenities for all city residents. The neighborhoods are equally integral because they should provide the resources, human and otherwise, which fuel the economy.

As a progressive forum promoting the issues facing the mayoral candidates I'd like to see focus on the real, important ones like coaxing businesses which dubiously ring the city limits to locate centrally, and for further tax reform to make this possible.

Posted by Zach | December 4, 2006 8:15 PM

Dan

Well said, Zach. Tax reform is definitely on the list and we'll have more about that very soon. We'll also be putting the candidates' feet to the fire to answer in even more detail than this early question that we put to them:

http://www.thenextmayor.com/120405bpt.html (for your review)

Posted by Dan | December 5, 2006 5:12 PM

Oh and I agree about the myth of Center City vs. neighborhoods. Politicians and the media thrive on conflict so sometimes they create it themselves. Politicians so that they can rally people to their "side" of the division that they themselves created and the media so we have something to write about. CC vs. neighborhoods is definitely not the only example of that, nor is it the most insidious by far. I'll have more to comment about that tomorrow.

Posted by Dan | December 5, 2006 5:14 PM

Roy M. Philip

Hello Everyone,

Its me again, so I see we have to register, no problem.

Regarding the city neighborhoods. Well I see center city has much good development over the years. Development needs to be done internally, starting with the churches and school. Many neighboorhoods need help.

I have nothing against a movie theater. But that's more living, instead of giving. The movie theater, will benefit more than the neighborhood.

bye RMP.

Posted by Roy M. Philip | December 7, 2006 10:04 PM

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