Letter: Blatstein's vision to develop South Philly riverfront

ISSUE | DEVELOPMENT

Vision to improve Delaware riverfront

Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron is in fantasy land when she argues that my South Philadelphia developments should have fewer cars and a more urban form ("Blatstein swims against the millennial current," Feb. 12).

South Columbus Boulevard was once lined by abandoned buildings and trash-strewn lots. It's a six-lane highway where 18-wheelers rumble 24/7 and a train runs daily down its center.

The original blueprint - heavy retail - is 25 years old. Our site has been vacant for 40 years, with zero riverfront development. Although there are sidewalks, no one is crossing six lanes of traffic. It's not a transit-oriented development; the only way to move is by car. There's one SEPTA bus stop.

The design challenges include the loading docks of Home Depot and Walmart and Comcast's parking lot and storage.

The Schuylkill has seen more development than the Delaware because it's in the central business district and close to 30th Street Station. Mixed-use development is needed to be attractive for residential development.

I know how to do mixed-use development and succeed in challenging locations. Our South Columbus development will be no exception.

|Bart Blatstein, chief executive officer, Tower Investments, Philadelphia