planning survey is fun

Don’t delay! Time is running out to take the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (DVRPC) on-line survey about regional land use, transportation, economic and environmental issues. If you haven’t already done so, please visit www.dvrpc.org/connections to give your input to the region’s next long-range plan. You could be eligible to win an iPod!

Toll Brothers get Desperate

So Horsham PA based Mcmansion builder toll brothers have a new plan to advertise their foray into urban living. Hiring bored looking "pretty" girls to drive around on segways advertising your condo development. Not only are segways more prone to receive ire than awe on Philadelphia’s tiny sidewalks, but the girls were more interested in texting than ensuring they didn't hit anyone. Oh, this is the development (note the Lifestyle section).

This must not be going too well for toll brothers. First there was a "mysterious" fire at the historic navy hospital which was the preservation component of their development. Instead of caving and saying they could just tear it down (as I’m sure was their plan) the city made them do expensive renovations and sued them for not securing the building. Now apparently they are having enough trouble selling units that they have to hire out of work would be actresses or hooters girls to drive around on segways annoying everyone on the street.

Local Home Builder Makes Dreams Come True

I am on vacation and particularly not blogging, but this sign is really amusing to me beyond the ability to wait to share it.

Philadelphia's Film Fest Forgotten by Foolish Few

Philadelphia Film Fest starts soon For those of you who have known me for a while, you know I usually devour this thing (http://www.phillyfests.com/pff/home.cfm). I've seen upwards of 15 movies during this week and a half in the past. I've used my organizational skills to set up evites and spreadsheets. This year, however, I've been too busy to even get the paper schedule yet. Please, as my friends, I beg you to make my choices for me. If you think there is something I will like, let me know. If you want me to tag along with you to one of these, let me know.

I couldn't find a picture of a movie theater, but here is a picture of sly in the italian market.

"Broadcast Plaza" scam exposed

So I was watching the weather last night where they were all in huff about the 2 inches of snow. They went live to their meteoroligist Live on Broadcast Plaza! By Broadcast Plaza, they mean the sidewalk outside of their building. I guess it is a large region and some people don't go down market street every day, but there is no plaza. But it does sound much more impressive.

http://cbs3.com/
http://www.uwishunu.com/2007/01/19/see-u-on-tv/

Planner too Bogged to Blog

I had to write a summary of activities for a meeting I had thursday, which I can't make because I am going to another meeting (www.upperdarby.org). I thought I'd update my friends and family on what is keeping me too busy to talk to you electronically on this blog since I already had to write it up.

-Justin

Proposals for the Chester Creek Branch Design and Engineering are due to the planning department by 1/16/07. The committee will then review the proposals, interview the top firms, and select a consultant team by early March. The RFP is available online at the friends of the Chester creek Trail website at http://www.chestercreektrail.org/RFP06.htm

Proposals for the East Coast Greenway Feasibility Study from Darby Creek to Flower Street are due 2/6/07. The committee will then review the proposals, interview the top firms, and select a consultant team by late March/early April. The RFP is available online at the ECGA’s website
http://www.greenway.org/gw-pa.htm.

The League of American Bicyclists has set May 14-18 as Bike to Work Week and May 18 as Bike to Work Day. We will again try to follow these dates for Delaware County. We are waiting for official approval, but don’t expect any alteration. We are hoping to have a website hosted and designed elsewhere. The TMA doesn’t have the staff to design a website and the County’s website is currently being redesigned and can be difficult to post things on.

The American Planning Association (APA) national conference will be in Philadelphia for the first time in over 30 years. There are many workshops and sessions, some of which relate to bicycling. More information is available at http://www.planning.org/2007conference. There is an effort to use this event to create a regional discussion about planning.

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