The Disneylandification of Center City Continues
In an announcement that will leave many heads a shaking, the former host of Eagles' Post-Game Live announced today Pennsylvania awarded (bribed) $1M to House of Blues to open a new location at 15th and Chestnut. Just what Philadelphia needs, another chain that will supplant Philadelphia's local culture. Next thing you know, someone will be telling us Tastykake is closing its doors! Damn, that happened last Thursday!
Is it me or does installing a House of Blues seem a bit counter intuitive when the goal is to promote tourism? I can't imagine a whole lot of people in Chicago saying to themselves, "Hey, I'm tired of going to House of Blues Chicago, let's go to Philadelphia and check out their House of Blues!" For that matter, I really don't see Philly drawing a lot on tourists from L.A., Cleveland, Orlando, San Diego, New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, Atlantic City, Las Vegas or Anaheim on the basis of a new HOB. (Yes - these are all places with their own HOBs)
Seems to me that a much better use of PA's tourism subsidy would be to fix up places that make Philly unique, places that make people say "hey, I've always wanted to go see Philly's Italian Market and eat an authentic Sarcone's hoagie." Kinda like how people travel to Seattle to see Pike's Place Market.
Instead of installing yet another sterilized, big box that is just going to supplant a locally-owned venue, PA should be promoting what makes PA special. Let's say give Ortlieb's a $1M grant to put in a jazz hall in the dilapidated brewery that lies steps from its fabled stage. Sure would be a better use of the historic building than the inevitable condo (yuppie habitrail) that will eventually despoil that land.
The cash comes from Pennsylvania's First Industries Fund that is meant to promote agriculture and tourism. The money is addition to $4M previously provided to the House of Blues to subsidize its development of Packard Building location. All told House of Blues will now receive a whopping $5M to open its Philadelphia location. $5M to bring "several hundred" low skilled, minimum wage jobs to Philadelphia. Just what the city needs.
On the positive side, if Rendell's so eager to hand out taxpayer cash for corporate boondogles, maybe I should hit them up for the Pherris Wheel I want to build in Logan Square.
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