Market East represents one of the city's "biggest challenges," according to a Center City District report, an area of "obsolete and underperforming low-scale structures, unattractive storefronts, neglected historic assets and large, vacant parcels at key locations."
That report, issued in 2007, remains true today.
"It's the last frontier of our city," said Ed Grose, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, who said hotel staff frequently recommended that guests take taxis the few blighted blocks to historic sites.
"If people don't come here because of safety and security, this means fewer good jobs for Philadelphians," he said. "It's a shame what it costs us in dollars. We want this area to be clean, safe, and attractive."
The area is as safe as any. And, frankly, to the extent that the stretch between 8th st. and the Independence Hall area is unappealing it's because of blocks of office buildings without street level retail creating a bit of a dead zone, not the "blighted" bits.
But, seriously, if hotel staff are telling their guests they should take cabs for the 5 blocks instead of a) walking or b) taking the subway then they shouldn't be too puzzled about why they don't plan to return.