The print version of the Inquirer shows what I believe is the correct site: just north and east of the intersections of Girard, Parkside, Concourse Drive and 40th Street. This is northwest of the zoo and west of the I-76 ramp. It is one of the few available sites in the area that could accommodate a new school, other than some former industrial sites that would probably not be as desirable.
I don't know how "rational" the site is...
The Inquirer map does NOT show Lansdowne Drive, and incorrectly shows "Concourse Drive" terminating at Parkside... It does, but it is North Concourse Drive which curves around that way. South Concourse Drive is not shown... (Yes, there are two Concourse drives) South Concourse is the one which crosses and converts into Lansdowne Drive and intersects Girard at 34th. (Lansdowne Drive also curves at the Smith Memorial and goes behind Memorial Hall.)
The site is apparently at 39th and Parkside -- which is adjacent to the Girard Avenue Expressway (I-76) entrance and exit (nominally 38th). [One assumes it is the site to the west of the entrance, closer to Memorial Hall, and not the one to the right, across from the Zoo parking lots.]
All of this is nowhere near "south of Memorial Hall" -- which is up at what would be 43rd Street. [While it is "south" of Memorial Hall, it is way to the east of Memorial Hall.]
My biggest issue with the use of Fairmount Park land for any such effort is that it has nothing to do with the Park, it is anything but a recreational or scenic facility -- and it is Park Land ... not a vacant city lot ... "underused" or not.
The choice of the location is also not particularly accessible for anyone not living in the catchment area - assumed to be walking distance. And if the catchment area is to be Manuta and Powelton (Mill Creek is a long way away) "walking distance" is a LONG walk. ... except by automobile. The Trolley does run down Girard, but it is a LONG trip from the Broad Street Subway, or multiple vehicles from the Market Frankford line.
Then there is the question -- Why another "demonstration school" in West Philadelphia? Why not in Kensington or North Philadelphia where the schools are in even worse condition?
Granted, the City already owns the park land, and therefore would have zero acquisition costs, which they would likely face in any other area, but once the park land is gone, it's gone -- "They aren't making any more of it."
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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