There's been a lot of discussion online today about the $2.6 billion "wish list" the city put out of local infrastructure projects that need federal funding. The US Conference of Mayors last month released project lists from municpalities around the country, as part of their effort to get aid for cities in President-elect Obama's stimulus package.
One particular Philly request has drawn interest -- $100 million to revitalize the Market East corridor. That area would, of course, surround the planned Foxwoods Casino.
Over on Young Philly Politics, an anti-casino activist has blasted the city for the request. The demand was also criticized by Republican leaders in congress who called it pork. (Read Heard in the Hall or It's Our Money.)
We spoke to Mayor Nutter who stressed that the Market Street funding would not be helping to build a casino – and struck down any suggestion that it could be called pork.
"The Market Street east corridor is a very challenging area for us in terms of economic revitalization," Nutter said. "It's one of the most important streets in Philadelphia."
Nutter added: "I would completely reject any characterization that that proposal is anything less than vital to Center City development."