Critics say races would steer Parkway off course

The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Posted on Wed, Aug. 17, 2005 | By Anthony S. Twyman

[sportutegrl]

Holding a high-speed motor race on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway could bring the city millions of dollars in hotel, restaurant and shopping revenue from tourists who would flock to the event, city officials say.

But permanent road changes that actor and race-car aficionado Paul Newman and his colleagues from the Champ Car World Series are seeking would ruin the cultural ambience of the area and derail plans to make the Parkway more pedestrian-friendly, a growing chorus of critics counters.

The proposal, which Newman and his colleagues delivered to the city this month, calls for widening, by as much as 10 feet, sections of the Parkway and a portion of Race Street in front of the Moore College of Art and Design, according to a copy of the proposal obtained by The Inquirer.

The city would be expected to foot the estimated $800,000 bill.

The proposal also calls for several streets to be reconfigured. On a temporary basis, grandstands would be erected, streets shut down, and a half-dozen pedestrian bridges built across the proposed race course.

"They want to turn the Parkway into a 14-lane-wide highway," said Paul Levy, executive director of the Center City District.

With help from the city and private foundations, Levy's agency has led a multimillion-dollar effort to improve streetlights, traffic lights and pedestrian crosswalks on the Parkway.

"We truly believe that the idea of widening roadways and reducing public space is completely contrary to the vision we all hold for the Parkway," states a letter the Parkway Council Foundation sent recently to several city officials and the Fairmount Park Commission's chairman.

[sportutegrl]

Okay, what is wrong with this picture? Turning the Ben Franklin Parkway into a racetrack? Who does Paul Newman think he is?

[speedy]

Is this a joke? Are they going to be driving Formula One cars up the steps of the Art Museum? Sounds like they want to turn the Parkway into a dragstrip. I know it says this is from the Inquirer, but it does sound more like The Onion.

[sportutegrl]

It's on the front page of the Inquirer. I don't think it's a joke. It seems unreal to me, too.

[devane617]

Open Wheel racing is on the decline. The numbers are overstated as toi the economic impact of a street race in Philly. Ask just about any city that has been involved with open wheel racing events during the past few years and most will tell you they are simpily waining for contracts to expire to terminate the events. Not worth the hassle.