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April 29, 2015

 

Dear members:  The Top Ten listings (2 groups) below is not what we have worked toward for the past several years.  We want historic streets, that are lined with front-facing historic houses, fixed first. Historic streets lined with historic apartment and office buildings are a close second.  However, with the exception of the 300 block of American Street and the 2400 block of Panama Street, many of the Top Ten streets are located (far from Old City, Center City, and South Philly), in new developments and/or lined with apartment buildings and/or used as back alleys.  Please review the LISTS below by clicking onto the “STREET VIEW”

 

Top Ten Street locations:

 

Manayunk - 1

Mount Airy - 1

Northern Liberties - 3

Old City/Society Hill - 3

Rittenhouse/Kimmel Center - 2

 

Lynn and Cliff Landes
http://www.meetup.com/The-Philadelphia-Society-of-Small-Streets-PSSS/

http://www.SmallStreetsPhilly.org
215-629-3553

 

COMMENTS AND CORRECTIONS: send to lynnlandes@earthlink.net

 


FROM The Historic Streets Assessment Report: http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/images/uploads/documents/historic-streets-assessment-report.pdf (our comments are in red)

 

FINAL TOP TEN BY TOTAL SCORE:

 

3.1 Top 10 Lists -- Table 3.1 is arranged by total score of the DOS blocks that are open to vehicular traffic. The total scores for these blocks range from 30.34 to 23.62, out of a maximum score of 40. The total engineer’s opinion of probable cost for these 10 blocks is $3.8 million and none of the blocks have FAM IDs. This List would require an annual investment from the City of $0.75 million over 5 years. The blocks included in this Top 10 List are as follows:

 

Maiden Street, 100 block, between Mansion and Silverwood Streets (MANAYUNK) - 7.7 miles from City Hall, appears to be used mainly as a back alley to adjacent properties

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/100+Maiden+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19127/@40.019863,-75.2187844,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6b8eacdb537ef:0xc30ecd9ee4f57cd

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/100+Maiden+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19127/@40.027167,-75.222915,3a,75y,65.92h,67.64t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy8BoaBfltRq1UPjAk02Xqg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6b8eacdb537ef:0xc30ecd9ee4f57cd!6m1!1e1

 

Waverly Street, 1400 block, between 15th and Carlisle Streets – (KIMMEL CENTER area) - appears to be used as an alley, apartment buildings, no or few entrances face street
 

o   MAP:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/1400+Waverly+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19146/@39.9452672,-75.1665062,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c63b4e4398fb:0x4c35d90d0b977697

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/1400+Waverly+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19146/@39.94529,-75.166681,3a,90y,102.86h,90.77t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sCu5SCHbGySCx3G94szOIjQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c63b4e4398fb:0x4c35d90d0b977697!6m1!1e1

 

Reno Street, 400 block, between Lawrence and Leithgow Streets (NORTHERN LIBERTIES) – appears to be used as a back alley, no or few entrances face street

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/400+Reno+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19123/@39.961618,-75.1381466,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c87ae4e0511b:0x2cdf92de2267c845  

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/400+Reno+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19123/@39.964781,-75.144736,3a,75y,279.36h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sGAh3cv9YT-SkAAxIBfZkYA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c87ae4e0511b:0x2cdf92de2267c845!6m1!1e1            

 

Orkney Street, N. 800 block, between Reno and Myrtle Streets (NORTHERN LIBERTIES?) – must go see in person, but appears to be another back alley

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/800+N+Orkney+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19123/@39.9600958,-75.1429138,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c87aff650ca5:0x267f3c2e08a921f5

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/800+N+Orkney+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19123/@39.964113,-75.145921,3a,75y,9.39h,97.51t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sj3nQfTkDvknaw0DOyXlccw!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c87aff650ca5:0x267f3c2e08a921f5!6m1!1e1

Could not locate the Orkney Street, but this may be it 
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.964836,-75.145174,3a,75y,282.46h,72.63t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sheFwAuXAbQq-6qRBOOSOew!2e0!6m1!1e1

 

American Street, S. 300 block, between Spruce and Delancey Streets (SOCIETY HILL) – good selection, several historic houses face this street the entire length

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/300+S+American+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106/@39.9446357,-75.1460687,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c89ba97dcd15:0x7dfcd71b0c8b9d56

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.944548,-75.146088,3a,75y,189.47h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szycXsyGJJTo_k5o9US80JA!2e0!6m1!1e1

 

Thomas Paine Place, 200 block, between Dock and 3rd Streets (SOCIETY HILL/OLD CITY) - next to movie theatre and other businesses, no residences face this street
 

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Thomas+Paine+Pl,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106/@39.9464914,-75.1450766,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c89ad5fe6c8f:0xdefadf40321fab4e

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.946471,-75.14532,3a,75y,282.28h,66.28t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3VUSuqqSjOcu_IG2uxc6Tw!2e0!6m1!1e1

 

Mermaid Lane, E. Unit block, between Germantown Avenue and Winston Road  (MOUNT AIRY?) – appears to be a large 3-way intersection
 

o   MAP:  https://www.google.com/maps/place//@40.0675857,-75.1963924,18z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6b99eeb23756d:0x20c335378660e932

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/W+Mermaid+Ln,+Philadelphia,+PA+19118/@40.067851,-75.197134,3a,75y,62.06h,66.06t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sqb49ZZfJ3n4woPbJ_kydbw!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6b90a8c22a971:0x4a8a875fda6189ab

 

Leithgow Street, N. 800 block, between a dead end and Reno Street (NORTHERN LIBERTIES?) - appears to be surrounded by modern apartment buildings
 

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/800+N+Leithgow+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19123/@39.9671865,-75.1459933,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c87ae3eafcb5:0x73dc2b03308b8b9c

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/800+N+Leithgow+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19123/@39.964356,-75.14483,3a,75y,9.66h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sBn69lfAut--VDr3ugflrlA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c87ae3eafcb5:0x73dc2b03308b8b9c!6m1!1e1

 

Delancey Street, 1500 block, between 16th Street (RITTENHOUSE SQUARE area) - deadend, few private residents, mostly apartment buildings
 

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/1500+Delancey+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19102/@39.9455067,-75.1677338,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c63b1779a38d:0xee8622b38186f6a9

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/place/1500+Delancey+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19102/@39.946541,-75.167592,3a,90y,294.27h,61.69t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1syQIUisEMJc5awRL_miR6dA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c63b1779a38d:0xee8622b38186f6a9!6m1!1e1

 

Elbow Lane, 200 block, between Bank and Bodine Streets  (OLD CITY) - back street lined with apartment buildings
 

o   MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Elbow+Ln,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106/@39.9478158,-75.1439998,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c885079c54dd:0x70fda8bfc992e310

o   STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.94928,-75.145413,3a,75y,91.35h,85.46t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy9Fs8d3CzxwCPatfcirOZw!2e0!6m1!1e1

 


HISTORIC SUBJECTIVE SCORE - Streets recommended by the Historical Commission:  PSSS comment: Of the 10 streets recommended by the Historical Commission, only 1 street, the 2400 block of Panama Street is a good choice, as it is lined with historic houses and in need of a total restoration.  The remaining 9 streets are in areas of apartment buildings and businesses.  Of those, 1 street appears to be new development, 2 streets needs work, but are not unsafe, and the remaining 6 streets appear to need little if any restoration.

 

Table 3.5 is the Top 10 List sorted by the historic prioritization subjective score of the DOS blocks that are open to vehicular traffic. The subjective scores for these blocks range from 10.00 to 7.00, out of a maximum score of 10. The total engineer’s opinion of probable cost for these 10 blocks is $1.5 million. This List would require an annual investment from the City of $0.30 million over 5 years. The blocks included in this Top

10 List are as follows:

 

Mascher Street, N. Unit block, between Cuthbert and Arch Streets  (OLD CITY) - blue stone, a few houses, mostly buildings, appears to need little if any repairs

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/124+N+Mascher+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106/@39.9516532,-75.1423591,19z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c888ab25c3d3:0xfcf680c83adabc0
STREET VIEW:  https://www.google.com/maps/@39.951668,-75.142553,3a,75y,185.31h,68.61t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s1bgqPwhJ-eldjXSHAfEm0A!2e0!6m1!1e1


Perth Street
, S. 400 block, Lombard and Addison Streets (SOCIETY HILL - just north of South Street) - appears to need little if any repairs

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/153+S+Perth+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106/@39.9468896,-75.1540503,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c89d66d0a5f3:0xabf9a354e6348646
STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.943449,-75.15455,3a,75y,49.1h,58.39t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sS80JVFW8Fcailt8kUKVfNA!2e0

 

Filbert Street, 200 block, between 3rd and American Streets (OLD CITY) – no houses, only historic buildings, used as alley, appears to need little if any repairs

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Filbert+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19107/@39.9510158,-75.1439402,19z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c885e59ad4ff:0xca45c5ec33fa9d1b
STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.951094,-75.144165,3a,75y,286.25h,60.86t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sYcCc8iRYVJyRHyUbnOjlTg!2e0

 

Waverly Street, 1400 block, between 15th and Carlisle Streets (KIMMEL CENTER area) – blue stone, used as back alley, only garages and buildings, no houses, in fair condition.

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/1400+Waverly+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19146/@39.9452672,-75.1665062,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c63b4e4398fb:0x4c35d90d0b977697
STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.945304,-75.16679,3a,75y,112.59h,70.36t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1scSGvFk5pVmqoc3PdeI3duA!2e0!6m1!1e1

 

Delancey Street, 1500 block, between 16th Street & Spruce (KIMMEL CENTER area) – blue stone, dead end, used as alley, garages and apartment buildings, maybe one house, in fair condition.

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/1500+Delancey+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19102/@39.9465349,-75.1675407,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c63b1779a38d:0xee8622b38186f6a9
STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.946609,-75.168124,3a,75y,88.62h,83.49t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sD9M9d-F3z1wyLti2FNqFuA!2e0!6m1!1e1

 

Station Street, 4400 block, between Levering and Gay Streets (MANAYUNK) – looks nearly impassable by vehicle, appears to need little if any repairs

MAP:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/4400+Station+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19127/@40.0145564,-75.217004,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6b8bfe08cac63:0x7e789727fe60b61e
STREET VIEW:  https://www.google.com/maps/@40.026179,-75.224505,3a,75y,319.2h,81.65t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sMthsquhTtszymYRZnJ9sEA!2e0!6m1!1e1

 

Leithgow Street, S. 200 block, between Locust Street (SOCIETY HILL) - dead end, no houses facing street, only buildings, garages, parking spaces, used as side alley, appears to need little if any repairs

MAP https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.9400797,-75.1500751/S+Leithgow+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19147/@39.9459143,-75.1490101,19z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c6c89edf8e4989:0xd02688a5337c453!2m2!1d-75.1499661!2d39.9399991
STREET VIEW:  https://www.google.com/maps/@39.946158,-75.148722,3a,75y,8.93h,62.17t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s_zrVyrh0pSwMNq5yBCEAVw!2e0

 

Reese Street, S. 300 block, between Delancey and Cyprus Streets (SOCIETY HILL) – appears to be used as back alley for a string of shops that includes a state liquor store, lined with parking spaces on one side from begining to end, appears to need little if any repairs

MAP:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/300+S+Reese+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106/@39.9446857,-75.1505655,17z/data=!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x89c6c89c5b759d6b:0xd2f2b29271d6e85c!2s300+S+Reese+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19106!3b1!3m1!1s0x89c6c89c5b759d6b:0xd2f2b29271d6e85c
STREET VIEW https://www.google.com/maps/@39.944715,-75.150559,3a,75y,202.8h,73.59t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sn-T-1j9Cwm8Ye9Z5fodqiQ!2e0!6m1!1e1 

 

Bouvier Street, between North and Melon Streets (FAIRMOUNT) – appears to be new construction

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Philadelphia,+PA+19130/@39.9667326,-75.166095,20z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c7ce2bedcb2b:0x7fdde5ffb3308468
STREET VIEW:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Philadelphia,+PA+19130/@39.967175,-75.16651,3a,75y,181.62h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1scFPC2ub_pw8k-8xkwmJ0lQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c6c7ce2bedcb2b:0x7fdde5ffb3308468!6m1!1e1

 

Panama Street, 2400 block, between 24th and 25th Streets (SCHUYLKILL RIVER PARK area) - good selection, lined with many historic houses, needs a total restoration

MAP:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/2400+Panama+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19103/@39.9478259,-75.1802601,17z/data=!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x89c6c646e1dfc47d:0x68334be86d85ea29!2s2400+Panama+St,+Philadelphia,+PA+19103!3b1!3m1!1s0x89c6c646e1dfc47d:0x68334be86d85ea29
STREET VIEW: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.947844,-75.180423,3a,75y,301.94h,80.94t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sBB-y7bJKaFG9qx52dhp3EQ!2e0!6m1!1e1