Title
To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Arch Street, 18th Street, Cuthbert Street, and 19th Street, by amending Section 14-305 of the Zoning Code entitled "C-4" Commercial and "C-5" Commercial District and by amending Section 14-1611 of the Zoning Code, entitled "Benjamin Franklin Parkway Controls", under certain terms and conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, the south side of the 1800 block of Arch Street has been a parking lot for more than 25 years; and
WHEREAS, MEPT Partners have proposed the development of this block with an iconic, world class building to be known as the American Commerce Center; and
WHEREAS, this site has been zoned for high rise commercial development since the City of Philadelphia adopted its first Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS, the American Commerce Center development includes an office tower, a hotel, retail space and off-street parking; and
WHEREAS, the a Floor Area Ratio of the proposed American Commerce Center is 27.5, exceeding the current requirements of the Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS, over 45,000 square feet of public space at various levels of the building is included in the development plan; and
WHEREAS, that public space also includes an elevated public plaza that includes sculpture, a fountain and is located immediately adjacent to an all weather public exhibition space; and
WHEREAS, the American Commerce Center development includes the construction of an extension of the existing SEPTA public transit concourse, providing new public connections to the concourse at 18th Street and 19th Street as well as to the American Commerce Center; and
WHEREAS, the development includes a proposal to close the 1800 block of Cuthbert Street to provide for better access to and management of the loading and servicing areas for the American Commerce Center and the Sterling apartment building; and
WHEREAS, the American Commerce Center...
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