Oct. 13: Land bank hearing; CDAG awards; PCPC meeting coming up next week; trail opens!

Good morning 1492ers and those who wish they were! Here are some must-do event for the next couple weeks.

Last chance to be heard folks! The Philadelphia Land Bank will hold a public hearing to solicit comments on the draft Year One Strategic Plan. 

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Time: 3 p.m.*
Place: SEPTA Board Room
1234 Market St., Mezzanine Level, Philadelphia PA
Phone: 215-448-3107

*The hearing will begin promptly at 3 p.m. and will end when the last speaker has testified.

Those wishing to testify MUST REGISTER by calling this phone number by October 14. Requests for specific times will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. One speaker from each group, please, but group members are welcome to attend. Please bring three copies of your written testimony with you. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three minutes. Those unable to attend may submit signed, written comments. These must be received by the Land Bank no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Please forward comments to:

John Carpenter
Philadelphia Land Bank
1234 Market St., 17th floor, Philadelphia PA 19107
john.carpenter@phila.gov
RE: Land Bank Strategic Plan

The draft Year One Strategic Plan is available through this website. Printed copies are also available at the above address. This meeting place is accessible to people with disabilities. If you require a sign-language interpreter or other accommodation, please call 215-448-3107 (TDD 215-686-9803) by October 8.

An important message from CDAG! “Please join us for the inaugural Central Delaware Advocacy Group Award Ceremony at the Independence Seaport Museum on October 16, starting at 5:30 p.m. “We invite you to enjoy complimentary drinks and butlered hors d’oeuvres while we honor two distinguished Philadelphians whose advocacy was essential in establishing the Civic Vision for the Delaware Waterfront — former Councilman Frank DiCicco and the late Steve Weixler, CDAG’s first chair.  We look forward to seeing you on October 16th.  Free on-site parking is available. “The Independence Seaport Museum has donated the ballroom and observation deck for the evening, and we have the capacity to accommodate over 120 guests.  Help us fill the room and make this a Delaware Waterfront evening to remember.” The live ticket-purchase link is here

Tuesday night, GeoPhilly welcomes Philadelphia’s city planners and attendees of the American Planning Association, Pennsylvania Chapter Annual Conference. This after hours features archival films about urban planning and Philadelphia followed by a Planner & GeoPhilly meet and greet at the Institute bar at 549 N 12th St. Films Include: No Time for Ugliness (1965): this film highlights case studies in urban renewal (like Detroit’s Lafayette Park) and historic preservation (like Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown). It also warns us of the uniformity of the American suburb and the thoughtless environment that results from car-related development. Birth of a City (1950s):  Educational / promotional film by the Turnpike Land Company showing how the city of Broomfield Heights, Colorado was planned and constructed. Scenic features of the area are highlighted to convince the viewer they should move to the new city. Song of Philadelphia (1961): The “Song of Philadelphia” provides an overview of select people, places, and events in the city. The film was produced for the Office of the City Representative Division of Public Information Board of Trade and Conventions and is narrated by Dick Clark. Important People (1960s): Including some excellent footage of mid-twentieth century Philadelphia, this Philadelphia Transportation Company film provides an overview of the many people who work together to provide mass transportation in the City of Philadelphia. There’s one group in particular, however, that is identified as “the most important people!” 

Set your schedule for early next week. On Oct. 21 the PCPC gets at 1:00 p.m. in Room 18-029, at One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch Street. PlanPhilly will get you the agenda ASAP.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Oct. 14, please join Mayor Nutter, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Councilman Bobby Henon, and help the Delaware River City Corporation celebrate the newest segment of The North Delaware Riverfront Greenway. The event takes place at 11 a.m. on Linden Ave. close to the fish hatcheries entrance to Pleasant Hill Park.