The plan for a new Children's Hospital campus on the
Schuylkill waterfront came under intense criticism Tuesday from a Philadelphia
review board, which demanded major changes in the design to improve
"connectivity" with the city.
Members of the Civic Design Review board issued 10
recommendations for improving the massive high-rise campus just below the South
Street Bridge. The plan calls for three office towers and a hotel - almost as
much space as Comcast's two Center City towers - between the river and the
rowhouse neighborhood known as Devil's Pocket.
Because the campus is removed from the city's downtown, and
many workers are expected to drive, the hospital wants to set the towers on a
parking podium. But board members worry that the garage, which would stretch
from South to Christian Streets, would create an immense wall along Schuylkill
Avenue and the river.
"To have a three-story wall, four city blocks long -
this troubles me," said Cecil Baker, an architect who serves on the board.
"We've struggled for years to make connections to the river."
To provide access to the new campus, the hospital would
create two driveways directly off the bridge. Because the bridge is heavily
used by pedestrians and bikers, many fear the turning cars could pose a danger.
A new rendering shows a 12-foot-high wall against the bridge between the
driveways.
Design review was introduced as part of the changes to the
zoning code last year, so it is not clear whether the board can force the
hospital to make the changes, nor is it clear whether hospital officials must
hold further discussions with the board.
CHOP is required, however, to present the project to the
Planning Commission. It also will need to obtain a single variance from the
Zoning Board of Adjustment.
"I think they will meet with us again," said James
Campbell, who participated in Tuesday's review. "They have been pretty
responsive so far."
Source: Philly.com
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