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Extend key streets to the river
Short-Term Actions 1. Identify key streets that can be extended without
impacting viable homes or businesses. 2. Plat streets on City Plan to reserve the right of way.
Benefits to City and Impact on City Budget of Extending Key Streets to the River Economic: East-west streets expand the investment area, prevent a single thin line of water’s edge development and make it easier for customers to frequent riverfront businesses.
3. Enforce reserved street rights-of-way to ensure that
development does not impede future streets. 4. Purchase necessary vacant properties to extend streets.
Environmental: Will limit emissions from clogged traffic and create pedestrian and bicycle alternatives. Community: Will improve access to the river, connect neighborhoods with the river and improve overall circulation and accessibility.
Longer-Term Actions
Impact on City Budget: Platting streets is a difficult process but there is
1. Fund public street construction when development in area of platted street
virtually no cost outside of staff time. The cost to construct a typical 34-foot
occurs or as part of a Streets Department five-year plan.
wide residential street in Philadelphia is approximately $957 per linear foot. This price includes subgrade prep, base course, wearing course, curbs, sidewalks, lighting, inlets and street trees. It does not include underground utilities. This price also assumes good soil conditions. The need for pilings adds significant costs. In 2007, 1800 feet of roadway were built for $2 million.55
Numerous streets have been extended across Battery Park City to the river’s edge, facilitating public access to and increasing the success of its promenade and public spaces. 38 Action Plan for the Central Delaware