Michael Nutter had it right when he was a candidate. He not only actively supported keeping casinos out of neighborhoods he rightly stated that casinos are bad economic development and that he would not use their revenue for government services, no matter how worthy these services are. As a candidate and in his first year as Mayor, Nutter was poised to become a champion, to stand up to the predatory gambling trade and the corrupt governor, Senator, legislature and Supreme Court that has been pushing for years to make Philadelphia the largest US city to host casinos.

I think I have changed my mind on the Foxwoods thing. Why? Because the casino may save Market Street. Additionally, it may fix public schools, may be a catalyst for reversing the suburbanization of the last 50 years, and may result in me getting a pony. Not only that, but the casino may end the Philadelphia championship drought, and may result in all of Philadelphia gathering in the streets, locked hand in hand, singing show tunes. Think about Ray leading us all in song! It will be wild!

If I told you that, you would think I was crazy, right? And in response to any of it, you might ask for something- anything- that would show that my claims are backed up by any evidence at all. Right?

That is why I am dumbfounded by this article, from today's Inquirer, titled "Casino may save Market East."

The article is lengthy- over 1,400 words and interesting, because it goes over a fairly significant amount of the neighborhood's history. And, the best part of the article is the evidence that shows a Casino has ever 'saved' a City:

Ohhhh, right, it doesn't. I wonder why that is?

If the Mayor and Governor want to argue why this Casino will be so different- and convince Chinatown residents, business owners and Philadelphia as a whole, go for it. But to pretend that it is at all likely that a slots barn will 'save' Market East, without a single shred of evidence, is ridiculous.

The king of zoning has given back his crown.

From the Inquirer:

David Auspitz has resigned as chairman of the city Zoning Board of Adjustment after nearly five years in the job.

Auspitz, a board member for 10 years, said yesterday that he submitted his resignation Dec. 17 and officially left the board Monday.

Mayor Nutter, who had criticized Auspitz's stewardship, is expected to name a replacement soon.

This opens space for a real shift in the balance of power between the ZBA and the city planning department. With an ongoing wholesale redrafting of the zoning code, the new administration is entering with something close to a blank slate.

The old day and old way is pretty familiar. Mandatory central air systems and near-autocracy:

While chairman, he was known to offer his opinions on development, parking garages, architectural design, and even his favorite foods. He also could dress down a powerful zoning lawyer or a civic-association volunteer or crack jokes.

Nutter once compared the board's proceedings to television's Judge Judy show.

Dan and I saw this in action. The room was Mr. Auspitz's domain, and everyone else was a supplicant. The planning department was both literally and effectively sidelined.

We have a chance for a much more efficient and transparent system. So it is crucial that the zoning redrafting process effectively balance interests. Keep an eye on planphilly.com for chances to participate, learn, and weigh in.

So much hope and expectation has been laid on this new administration; everyone wants this to finally be the city we know it can be. But here's literally a chance to create a framework for good development and to change the way things get built.

See ya, old way.

The Inquirer ran an interesting piece about developers' attempts to rush through project approvals today before Nutter is inaugurated on Monday. It specifically focuses on the proposed development at the old Schmidt's Brewery site in Northern Liberties at 2nd and Girard.

The residents of Northern Liberties have been really well organized and came up with a plan for their neighborhood development years ago. And while they've had some wins, such as preserving their park, much of their concerns have gone unheeded by the city leaving plots of land at the whims of developers.