11/11/02 Ikea: A Golden Opportunity We're about To Miss (Ed Goppelt & Lisa Parsley)

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Ikea: A Golden Opportunity We're about To Miss
By Ed Goppelt & Lisa Parsley Monday, 11/11/02 (1039057861468)

To us it seems a no brainer. Ikea wants to locate a store here in Philadelphia. 1,000 jobs will be created, including 500 high paying construction jobs. People will be able to to buy good quality, low cost furniture here in the City, rather than schlepping out to the 'burbs.

So you would think our elected officials would jump at the chance to bring a major retailer to Philadelphia?

Wrong.

In order for a major project like Ikea to succeed, all concerned elected officials must support the deal. In Ikea's case, there are three elected officials whose districts include the area where Ikea wants to locate. Two are actively opposing the deal while the third is sitting on the fence.

Local Officials Who Must Support Ikea If It Is To Happen

Official Office Position on Ikea

Frank DiCicco Councilman for South Philly Unknown

Vince Fumo State Senator for South Philly Opposes

Bill Keller State Representative Opposes

Official	Office	Position on Ikea
Frank DiCicco	Councilman for South Philly	Unknown
Vince Fumo	State Senator for South Philly	Opposes
Bill Keller	State Representative	Opposes

Of these officials, Councilman Frank DiCicco is the most important. Ikea needs to have the zoning changed if they're going to build here. Because of Philadelphia's tradition of "Councilmanic courtesy" only DiCicco can do that. If he doesn't support the Ikea deal, it won't happen. It's that simple.

Ikea to City: Make Necessary Zoning Changes or We're Going to Jersey

Ikea has given the City an ultimatum: pass the necessary zoning changes by December 19 or we're going to Jersey. This means DiCicco must introduce the necessary legislation by December 4. Any later than this and Ikea moves to New Jersey.

Why does Ikea want to come to Philly?

From the point of view of a business there are many reasons not to locate in Philly: high taxes, lots of red tape and unions among them. Ikea wants to build a huge store that will serve the entire tri-state region. So why on earth would they want to locate here? Philly, it turns out, holds one trump card: easy access to multiple Interstate highways. In otherwords we're a transportation hub!

To accomodate the hordes of shoppers it expects, Ikea wants to locate its store next to two major interstate highways. If you look at a map there are only two places where this is possible in Philadelphia: at the intersection of I-95 and I-676 and a little further south of I-95 and I-76. Ikea says the first location, by the old Incinerator, is too small for its needs. Which leaves only one location in South Philly that meets Ikea's needs: the old CSX rail yard near the Walt Whitman Bridge and I-95 and I-76.

Officials: "We might need the Ikea land down the road for Philly's port."

DiCicco hasn't said yet where he stands on Ikea. To date all he will say publicly is that he is "working on it." Sen. Fumo and Rep. Keller say the the abandoned CSX freight yard *might* be used down the road for the Port. They apparently think it's better for the freight yard to remain empty rather than have an Ikea, Best Buy and Lowes occupy the space.

While our officials give Ikea the cold shoulder, Cherry Hill officials are rolling out the red carpet. Philadelphia will never move forward if our elected officials drive away businesses like Ikea.

Please take five minutes to tell your elected officals not blow this opportunity for jobs, shopping and prestige for our City.

Thanks!

Lisa Parsley ljlong@earthlink.net
Ed Goppelt webmaster@hallwatch.org