The impetus behind the AVI is to "value at market rate" -- the idea is that by updating the valuations, they'll eliminate the unintentional tax break/overcharge some people were getting.
A funny thing about gmaps and Philly -- Philly's changing so fast that that 'dump' is probably a new renovation by now. The building I live in now still appears on Gmaps in its unrenovated state.
I'm not the reporter on the project, but from what I've heard in the media, it sounds that renters are supposedly the biggest losers -- some properties are seeing thousands of dollars in tax increases, which they'll most assuredly pass onto renters in a tax hike (my opinion, also that of some other Philadelphians). Related article: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//taxipedia/51402-ar...
Interesting article and perspective -- when I get ideas about building things, I definitely don't remember marketing! It's like "hmm, well, I'll just make it and dumb it on the appstore. People will find it!"
A funny thing about gmaps and Philly -- Philly's changing so fast that that 'dump' is probably a new renovation by now. The building I live in now still appears on Gmaps in its unrenovated state.