Camden New Jersey Land And Dream
A Plan For Petty's Island
This is an idea formed for Petty’s Island, after giving much thought to what the area’s best competitive advantage is, something differentiating that can’t be duplicated by any other region. It was primarily influenced by a study of Michael Porters theories on regional strategies and "clusters". CAMDEN NEW JERSEY LAND AND DREAM feels that the regions strongest competitive advantage is it's authenticity as the birthplace of efforts and institutions that not only led to Freedom in America, but inspired emulation, and continues to do so, around the world.
Closely linked to the regions historical ties to the invention of modern Freedom, is the democratic themes and invention of a authentic American form of literary expression by Walt Whitman, which inspired many subsequent generations of Americans influenced by Whitman to write in uniquely American vernacular, clearly our own and not derivative of any foreign influences.
Aquariums, IMAX theaters etc. are good things that serve a valuable role in kicking off renewal, but they are also being duplicated in other areas across the country, threatening to diminish over time what will be the attractions of Camden’s waterfront.
"Freedom Island" is food for thought.
A Petty’s Island development would make a Cramer Hill Back Channel development a foregone conclusion from 36th St. to State St., making a sharp left past the State St. bridge down 10th St. into the Ben Franklin Bridge, with a fork to the transportation center and down Mickle to the waterfront. (Middle and hopefully upper-income housing and attractions beginning at 36th and moving south.)
We think the 85 acre dump at 10th and state would make the perfect site for the closest golf course to downtown Philadelphia. Of course no one would want to take a client on a golf outing if they had to travel through blight to get there, so Tenth St. should undergo a beautification process. You could hook a sharp left into the golf course right off the State Street Bridge, skipping the need to travel any further down State or to Harrison Ave. ( Dumps nationwide, even in areas like California's Bel Air, have been turned into some of the most desirous golf courses.)
An Atlantic City style "Jitney Only" road that bypasses traffic and links the trans center and downtown Philadelphia should be built. Until the area east of Harrison Ave. is developed, State St. (near the bridge) and 36th street or an entrance from Pennsauken should be the only points of entry. "Greenspace" could be reserved for bikers, walkers and joggers along the water all the way from 36th St. to the bridge and Camden downtown waterfront. (Who knows, 20 years from now this could be part of the Olympic Marathon path, so make it wide!)
All this may sound "too big." But we think Camden’s problems are "too big", so the solutions must be bigger. (And within all this, in light of current state fiscal problems, we see many exclusive franchises valuable to private businesses that could be bartered in exchange for the private sector spending and performing many of the functions that would normally be the expense and responsibility of state government, adding no more fiscal pressures, (in fact relieving fiscal pressures.)
CAMDEN NEW JERSEY LAND AND DREAM
Petty’s Island
 | 292 Acre island |
| 90% undeveloped |
| Between Camden New Jersey and Philadelphia |
| Best positioned property for "Two Cities, One Waterfront" plan |
| Owned by CITGO Petroleum Company. |
| Actively seeking developers |
Pettys Island faces undeveloped 185 acre, two mile undeveloped stretch on Camden New Jerseys mainland. Connected to island by 36th street bridge. 36th street is Camden’s northern border. Only bridge to island.
"Two Cities, One Waterfront" is the cornerstone of regional development. The concept is designed to turn the waterfronts into major tourist and residential attractions.
The following is a preliminary plan for developing Petty’s Island, heretofore referred to as "Freedom Island." The ideas behind "Freedom Island" are the result of extensive research on identifying the areas unique differentiating characteristics, giving the regional setting, history, current events and trends that will have long term effects, the existing tourist base, and ongoing nonprofit, business and government efforts to attract tourism to this area. The research relied heavily on Michael Porters concepts of Competitive Advantage and strategies for regional competition.
The conclusion is the asset that the Philadelphia region posses that no other region can legitimately claim or authentically replicate is it’s claim as the birthplace of Freedom, Freedom of Speech, and the original incubator of creativity and execution, including the writing of the Constitution, that gave birth to America’s institutions, shaped its culture and history, and by way of inspiration, the shape of many other nations.
Clusters of Touchstones of Freedom:
| Independence Hall |
| Liberty Bell |
| Betsy Ross House (First Flag) |
| Declaration of Independence and Constitution written here |
| First Public Library |
| First Capital of United States |
| Walt Whitman's Grave and legacy ( inventor of "Democratic, "Free" American Language ) |
| Numerous sites where founding fathers gathered |
Freedom Island
"Give me liberty, or give me death." - Patrick Henry
| Less than 2 miles from Independence Hall, Liberty Bell |
| A "real" Epcot center, more interesting than Disney’s |
| Overarching theme is "Freedom" |
| Freedoms part in influencing American culture, politics and institutions |
Out of 292 acres
Aprox 70 acres:
Offer for lease ½ acre to every nation that has a seat in the United Nations to build a cultural center/ museum that represents the pride and history of their nation. These centers could also triple as cultural / trade / and local consulate offices. Entertainment, the arts, dining and other activities conducted at each site. This would not be too administratively difficult, since the U.N. is only 90 miles away. If any particular nation was not interested in participating officially, it should not be too difficult to find at least one wealthy entrepreneur from each nation interested in having an exclusive franchise on presenting the foods and wares of his country in such a setting.
Aprox 50 Acres
100 ½ acre sites for museums representing America’s role in developing Freedom, America’s values as seen through the eyes of representatives from all walks of life in all geographic and sub regions, and how Freedom influenced and shaped our institutions, culture, history, and political system. Begin with the macro picture, diffusing to diverse micro groups, and how they have flourished under America’s particular brand of Freedom
Institutions
| The American legal system |
The Constitution was written here
| The Free Press |
| Economic System |
History
| Colonial Period |
| Revolutionary War |
| Defense of Freedom, From Judicial Courts to the Battlefield |
| Dangers to Freedom, Past Present and Future, Here and Abroad |
| Immigration, Assimilation and Society Building, What Freedom meant |
| Western Expansion |
Political System
| Freedoms concepts and relation to creation of government branches |
| Evolution of voting rights |
| Evolution of individual and group rights |
Cultural (Where the fun is)
| Begin with macros and large regions |
Ex: Puritans, its pursuit of Freedom and the effects differing groups ideas on Freedom had on them as it encroached on their societies (could be short stage plays)
New England- representations of regional life such as fishing, farming, forestry, the New England "sensibility" and view of Freedom. (And delicious Lobster’s!)
The part Freedom played in developing mid-Atlantic, south, Midwest, southwest, northwest and their character. (All with food, drink and entertainment representation of course.)
Diverge into interesting subcultures like Cajun life, the Amish, "Appalachian Hill Life" The Geechi who inhabit the coastal Carolinas and still adhere to African languages and customs and so on.
Nations should have on display their American connections. For example, the German delegation would want to highlight the contributions Germans have made to America (They are America’s largest immigrant group) A beer garden is mandatory. Representations of Jewish-America, Irish-America, African-America, Asian-America, Latin America etc. will give "Freedom Island" an exotic appeal.
Every nation and cultural exhibit should have a continuous fun, festive component.
| American Music and the part Freedom played in its uniqueness. A uniquely "American" entertainment "club" or venue of some sort should accompany each exhibit highlighting: |
| Field Hollers |
| Blues |
| Jazz |
| Swing |
| Country |
| Rock |
| Pop |
Freedom and Freedom of Thought’s influence on American art and literature, creativity in general, America’s lead in such inventions as the telephone, airplanes, computers, science in general and its huge proportion of invention patents. With some brainstorming, this list can be greatly expanded.
"I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country."
_ Nathan Hale
The Main Attraction
At the southern tip of the island a statue of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin, flanked on the right and left by statues of Nathan Hale and Patrick Henry, all pointing toward Independence Hall, and by inference and position, pointing the entire world toward Freedom, since the international section will be right behind it.
Not just any statue complex, but statues so grand, large, fantastic and inspiring that people would travel to the region just to see it, even if there were nothing else on the island. (Paid for by donations, foundations)
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge should be repainted or cosmetically enhanced through lighting as the the most glorious American Flag ever seen.
Another centerpiece would be "Freedom Hall" where prestigious dignitaries and orators could host debates or speak on a regular basis. Further illustrating the role of Freedom of Speech in history, the island will be peppered with small risers, "soap boxes" where visitors can spontaneously have fun re-enacting or becoming their own versions of Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry or even Cicero. Since the seeds of democracy are in ancient Greece, we could even have roaming Socrates’ goading tourists into debate, all in the spirit of fun while maintaining the underlying serious point of Freedom and Freedom of Speech.
International Cultural Museums
Trade Missions
Entertainment and Arts Centers
Luxury Housing
Hotels
Conference Center
International Goodwill Station for American Values
Freedom History and Inspiration Center
"Stand For Freedom"
It is imperative at this critical time in our history and international relations that America revisit and restate its traditional role as the world standard and inspiration for and defender of true freedom and peaceful relations. To quote a former ambassador, "the United States must embark on a mission of having the world understand our values, a mission that would probably take at least fifteen or twenty years." American values are rooted in the concept of Freedom in all its varieties. The Philadelphia / Camden region’s Freedom Island is the perfect place and concept for this exchange of ideas to help other nations understand our values. The density and proximity of so many nations to our representative cultural exhibits, encompassing and expressing Freedom in all its forms will create a synergy that could accelerate this timetable for this interaction with the rest of the world. And Freedom Island is a more suitable venue than New York or Washington, where world tensions and power plays dominate and play out, yet strategically located so that major international players will have easy travel from either New York or Washington.
The Philadelphia area is the logical and strategically best area for such an effort. Its milieu is saturated with the seeds of Freedom. It’s well meaning spirits roam the air, wanting and willing to revitalize the dream. The old buildings and haunts of the original patriots are preserved and ready to inspire.
Camden
Although standard waterfront development serves as a valuable and necessary resource to local residents, brings attention to the area and "kicks-off" further development, only unique competitive advantages that cannot be authentically duplicated will sustain lasting development projects. Cities / regions must identify THAT ONE THING that no other area has and never will, and build around it. (Remember the Elton John song, Philadelphia Freedom? The Phila. / Camden region has "that one thing")
Freedom Island will be recognized as just such a competitive advantage and regional differentiation. It not only makes sense for the region, it may be the only plan that makes sense for the region. Freedom Island is the right project for the setting and the times, and could ignite the regions economy and attract wanted attention in a way no other project could.
The time has never been more right for "Freedom Island," nor has the country ever needed a "Freedom Island" more than now, an effective and appealing site from which to send out it’s message of Freedom, Values and Mission to the rest of the world.