Development Overhaul in Philadelphia

Last Tuesday evening Philadelphia's new mayor, Michael NutterMichael Nutter spoke to a packed audience outlining his plans to guide the city to one of world-class status. Nutter emphasized the city's great potential given its strategic location between the nation's political and economic capitals as he described plans to overhaul the real estate development process.

The dominant theme seemed to be making the city planning commission a preeminent institution for the city as well as a mandatory step in the development process for all developers. Nutter explained that qualification for building and re-zoning permits will no longer be the result of a popularity contest but rather from a thorough examination of each individual project and its potential impact on the city as a whole.

The mayor made reference to the corrupt planning and zoning boards under the previous mayor John Street as he laid out clear plans for cleaning the city-both its streets and its government officials.