Great Expectations

Citizens turned out April 9 at Philadelphia's Central Library to hear three of the five Democratic mayoral candidates talk about issues related to the design of the city and the neighborhoods.
People were able to ask questions of candidates Dwight Evans, Chaka Fattah and Michael Nutter about transit, casinos and more. Visit www.planphilly.com for complete coverage.

The people - some of them, anyway - have spoken. And they don't want casinos near homes, schools or places of worship in Philadelphia.

By a margin of roughly 17-1, voters in the unofficial ballot on casinos rejected the two riverfront locations proposed in the city.

Sure, it was a piddling sample of public opinion, and hardly scientific. But the pro-casino forces could have turned out in droves, and they chose not to do so.

In the increasing likelihood that casinos do wind up in Philadelphia, they're unlikely to dazzle visitors - if the Harrah's experience in Chester is any guide.

Check out the uninviting reality of a slots barn, as depicted in Inquirer architecture Inga Saffron's recent column. Her Saturday night visit to Harrah's provided a glimpse of the ambiance - if that's the right word - of the slots barns being built under Gov. Rendell's slots-gambling effort.

It ain't a pretty sight. As Saffron wrote:

The issues for the Citizens Agenda today (Tuesday) are Planning and Zoning and the Environment. Please feel invited to offer your comments and critiques on this thread.

These issues are ones where the agenda sings in unison with the bulk of citizen comment received throughout the year. In 2007, these topics received an unprecedented amount of attention from a populace sick of how the pay-to-play, deal-making culture of the city often supersedes community interest in development decisions. Equally energized were people captivated by the prospect of Philly recapturing its legacy as a green country town.

A note of gratitude: These two issue agendas, as with all 12 of them, are based on the input not only of ordinary citizens, but of experts, leaders and advocates on these issues. Many people in positions of local leadership have given generously of their time to help us figure out what ideas and solutions held the most promise of upholding the values enunciated by citizens.

The Great Expectations staffers who pulled together the agenda are indebted to these leaders for their help and guidance. These sources, from whom we borrowed eagerly and shamelessly, deserve much of the credit for anything you see that you like in this work; anything you don't like, don't blame them. Blame us.

Citizen blogger Albert Yee rounds out his District 1 entry with a report on the second half of the evening. The event was held March 2 at The Inquirer building. (Check out Albert's personal blog at http://www.dragonballyee.com/blog)

He writes:

The Q&A session for the Great Expectations Agenda meeting for the 1st Council District started off with a bang, with a question for the councilmen about whether they supported spot zoning. The questioner wanted the councilmen to deny all spot zoning requests until a full plan was in place. The 1st District's Councilman Frank DiCicco took to the mic first. He said that he views all zoning requests on a case-by-case basis and to deny all spot zoning requests between now and the finalization of a zoning plan would be too broad a move to make. At-Large Councilman Bill Green said that it would be great to be able to hold everything until a plan was in place, but it that it is just not feasible. He pointed out to Miami's recent new zoning plan; it took them three years to finalize and their city is one-fifth the size of Philadelphia. Green gave a drop-dead date of 2011 (the same year as his re-election bid) for a plan to be in place. If a new zoning plan that pleased the majority of Philadelphians were in place before the elections, I foresee a slew of re-elections. Zoning is at the top of people's minds all across the city.

Citizen blogger Bill Rowland takes a look at the District 3 community forum, which drew a record number of participants for a Great Expectations neighborhood meeting. (Bill's own blog can be read at http://phillyfoodguys.com/).

He writes:

The March 5th presentation of Great Expectations’ Citizens Agenda to residents of City Council District 3 was energizing, if not informative. With attendance more than 100% greater than expected, West Philly’s participation blew away that of other sections of the city. Meeting in the heart of West Philly at 39th & Market Streets was a diverse group of 140 including residents, activists and students, as well as a squad of City Year volunteers.

Discussion of the Citizens Agenda started over dinner, as individuals and small groups arrived to share a buffet meal before the event began. The feeling was perceptibly optimistic as neighbors became reacquainted; Great Expectations “veterans” chatted with “newbies”; and everyone shared their hopes, concerns and dreams for the city’s future.