What Puts Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in the Hall of Shame?
The pedestrian entrance – which is no more than the wall bent in – only half-heartedly opens to the street. The walls and sidewalks of the building are poorly lit and have no significant signage. The crossings on Broad and Spruce streets are unnecessarily long and unsafe. The center is very easily accessed by the cars and trucks. The intimidating blank walls and a total absence of amenity are an insulting break in an otherwise pedestrian friendly avenue. The image of the arts it portrays, if any, is that of elitism and inaccessibility to the masses. Despite indoor public spaces and restaurants, from the street there seems to be no obvious way to experience the building as a pedestrian unless you pay to go to a concert. Even the fact that it is a concert hall or that anything exciting may be going on inside is not readily apparent. It seems unlikely that anyone would choose to meet outside and mind waiting for someone outside this facility. Likewise, the possibility that patrons of the
