Back in the black...and stopping "The Great Wall of Manayunk"

We are coming out fast like Lando and the Falcon out of the Second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. After a quite interlude this summer, the residential Alliance has been striking back at the evil Empire of corporate developers and arrogant and inebriated students. (Boy that Star Wars marathon on Cinemax may have gotten to me but its not a bad analogy.)

Since this week has a certain Main St. flavor let's start with the developers. Residents gathered yesterday to the Green Lane Bridge to let people know about the zoning hearing today. Many people have plenty of questions about the building design and its impact and many of them are still unanswered.

Many gripes had about the buildings ascetics I think are moot. It is really the issues of who will be the new residents, why condos, and the impact of additional traffic.

Traffic is a big issue. On my way to the protest, it took me 20 minutes to travel down Green Ln. between Silverwood and Cresson Sts during the morning so-called 'rush' hour. I hear it takes longer to get to I-76 if you take Umbria St. or Leverington Ave.

Apparently, Venice One is not the only residential building going up on the island in the near future. It is one of three such projects for the former industrial island.

In the past few weeks, my own view of the project has changed on the subject. I thought of first of supporting it (until I found it is one of the three projects, rent out of my range, etc.). Then I cynically thought that no matter what it is going up. (which it may still might.) and now I believe there is something that can got there.

I respectfully disagree with Mamma Q on putting single family dwelling on Venice Island. I think that only mitigates the problems a condo projects glaringly has, primarily being flood plane issues.

After speaking with some residents the issues that really impede development in Manayunk are small streets and lack of parking. I also add an additional point lack of recreational activities for children and teenagers. So what I think would be best for Venice Island is a multi-story parking lot for Main St. shoppers and a skate park for those wild and woolly youth.

Primarily, my thinking is, since it would be nigh impossible to widen streets in the Yunk. A multi-story garage would be a boon to the street providing a place for shopper to keep their car. It would be a good revenue source for Manayunk for decorations, maintenance, etc.

A skate park could make Manayunk a youth sporting mecca, with the future addition of boating and water sports. It would be a place for those young skateboard enthusiasts who seem to be annoying their neighbors with their clattering boards.

A safe place for children recreation is also a strong selling point in bringing families back to the Yunk, which could push out all the in-filling student population.

Just a thought really? what do you think?