Market makers

Long wallowing in deterioration and neglect, Philadelphia's East Market neighborhood is on the verge of becoming a lively bridge between City Hall and Independence Mall. Though grateful for the corridor's upward momentum, the city should not be so desperate as to accept whatever is offered by developers who also stand to benefit from the transformation.

Plans to refurbish the dowdy Gallery mall are vague so far, though the developers, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust and California-based Macerich, promise a better flow of foot traffic between the street and shops, as well as more glass and other architectural flourishes. And any flourish is likely to improve on the forbidding big box stretching between Ninth and 11th Streets.

City Council last week focused on social benefits, securing agreements to pay mall employees (though not those of the mall's retail tenants) a living wage higher than the minimum, give residents referred by the city preference for entry-level jobs, and reserve space for displaced kiosk operators in the renovated shopping center.

The city also has a more significant opportunity to insist that the redesign be extraordinary. After all, the city owns much of the mall, which was built with federal subsidies, and is getting ready to forgive $127.5 million in taxes over 20 years to help the developers finance the makeover. That means officials can urge the developers to maintain and improve public transit concourses and access, as well as explore opportunities for residential or office development in addition to retail.

Meanwhile, across Market Street, National Real Estate Development has cleared a block of stores for a new retail-residential development, adding to the potential for a regional shopping destination.

Another East Market dead zone, a parking garage at Seventh Street, was recently taken out of the hands of speculator Richard Basciano, best known as the owner of the building near 22d and Market that collapsed onto a Salvation Army thrift shop two years ago, killing six. While the garage's new owner, Brandywine Realty Trust, has not detailed its plans for the property, the company that built University City's Cira Centre skyscraper has a much better record than Basciano. It, too, should be held to the high design standards that have been missing at the gateway to Independence Mall.

New residences and shops are also slated for nearby Chestnut Street, underscoring the rare opportunity to fix a corridor that has long frustrated attempts to spur appropriate redevelopment.

Philadelphia should respect its history, residents, and visitors by demanding the high-quality designs that can make the area the latest showpiece of Center City's revival.