Will new museum be white noise in Old City? Views vary on the Revolution Center's move.

The news that planners of the American Revolution Center would abandon Valley Forge for Philadelphia generated real excitement in the city.

Because, after all, what Philadelphia needs is another Revolutionary-era attraction.

Right now, the city offers only the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House.

And Carpenters' Hall. And the First Bank of the United States.

And Christ Church, City Tavern, the Merchants' Exchange, Fireman's Hall, Congress Hall, the Powel House, Franklin Court, the Graff House, Society Hill, Old St. Joseph's Church, and the Todd House.

To name a few.

Actually, Wednesday's announcement that the American Revolution Center (ARC) would quit its controversial plan to build inside Valley Forge National Historical Park - after spending millions of dollars and years of effort - left some in the suburbs scratching their heads.

In Valley Forge, they said, a world-class museum would be a singular attraction, compelling visitors to spend extra time in the region. In Philadelphia, it could be more of the same - and potential competition for other attractions, particularly the National Constitution Center.

"Guess what's going to happen? It's going to be one or the other," said Paul Decker, president of the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

ARC's decision to leave disappointed Decker, not just because Montgomery County will miss out on millions in tourism dollars, but because it "puts our strongest historical attractions all in a row within a few city blocks."

That will extend the city's "long-suffered, albeit invalid, reputation as a rush-through-it, short-stay destination."

ARC had won local-government permission to build on 78 acres of private land inside Valley Forge Park. But the National Parks Conservation Association, an advocacy group, pursued dual lawsuits to block construction - effectively choking ARC's ability to raise money.

Now ARC plans to move to Third and Chestnut Streets, once the site of the National Park Service visitor center. The building currently houses classrooms and archaeology stations. People who work in Philadelphia tourism said that far from being repetitive, ARC would be a needed and welcome addition.

"I don't think it's redundant at all," said Meryl Levitz, president of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. "I see it as a stage-setter for almost everything else on the mall."