Penn "needs" Hilton to make this work, and that any such flagship will insist on this many rooms, even though one of the architects on the ArchComm stated that he is currently working on an extended stay hotel at the airport with far fewer rooms for another brand. (Although I can't remember the name since it doesn't have a famous daughter.) So, like the rest of us, you don't have all the facts either. This may be the five story 72 room La Quinta Inn & Suites project that I worked on with another community group out by PHL.
The particular site is at 88th & Tinincum Blvd, directly across the parking lot from Ruby Tuesday restaurant, which some of you might be familiar. ? There are similarities but mostly dissimilarities with the two projects and development styles. The owner/developer Kaushik Patel and JAI Santosi Realty, LP, identified a need and?worked with the development arms of Korman Corp and the RDA to identify and site the project in an appropriately zoned area. They asked the local councilperson who?in the community they should meet with and?met with them. The developer/owner?accepted input from the community, agreed to two provisos?(community protective covenants) the community requested,?and to become an active participant in the local community organization, including providing?real estate consulting and planning services when requested. The need for zoning variances were due to some unique site limitations: ? Airport height restrictions, coupled with the limited size of the site, and a deed restriction requiring a 40,000 sq ft minimum building,?meant the?required distance between windows and lot lines fell short, and?did not allow for the two loading areas required by zoning. Despite the fact most guests would be "bused-in" from the airport,?a one to one relationship of rooms to parking spaces was not waived. Ciao, Craig -----Original Message----- From: Lewis Mellman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 8:34 am Subject: [UC] 11-Story Hilton Hotel "...Also, I don't think Lussenhop said anything about a Hilton affiliation of his project. I think this is something Glenn just made up all by himself.? ? -- Tony West"? ? Tony,? ? Unlike Glen, YOU weren't at the Historical Commission Architecture Committee review meeting where it was stated that Penn "needs" Hilton to make this work, and that any such flagship will insist on this many rooms, even though one of the architects on the ArchComm stated that he is currently working on an extended stay hotel at the airport with far fewer rooms for another brand. (Although I can't remember the name since it doesn't have a famous daughter.) So, like the rest of us, you don't have all the facts either.? ? Hilton HAD a hotel on campus with a ped bridge to CHOP and a parking lot that is now offices. Is there any chance that the demand for extended stay rooms has been miscalculated and some of the rooms will "need" to be converted to short-stay rooms and/or offices to avert a financial hardship? If such a change is a possibility, will these added guests, office workers and clients also be provided with free valet parking to a nearby Penn lot, or will they be circling the neighborhood looking for a parking spot, dialing their cell phone to say they're late for their appointment and parking in some resident's driveway? Or will they be directed to make a left onto Baltimore into the Vet School grid-lock. Can we get a commitment that this hotel will always have a required minimum stay and that is the only use it will ever have during the zoning process? My magic eightball is a little fuzzy, but I think it says, "Unlikely."? ? What concerns me about this project is that it may set a precedent that will impact what goes in on top of the community garden on the SE corner of 43rd and Baltimore. If someone really did spend $5 million to acquire the property, how many units will they "need" to cram in there to "make the numbers work"? Are we going to get a study indicating that our beloved park and coffee shop park will only be in shadow for a few hours during certain months? a Starbuck, a WaWa and a CVS? Beyond plowing the garden under, does anyone know who is buying this property and what are their plans? Will it have 2 dedicated off-street parking spots for every unit? Or is Clark Park expected to provide the parking for this highrise?? ? For benefit of partial disclosure: I was born and raised in the historical monstrosity on the site of the Swain Mansion at 45th and Spruce.? -Lew? ? ----? You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the? list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see? <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.? ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com
