PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

Philadelphia's Newest Park, on the waterfront, Columbus Boulevard at Race Street

WHEN:            Thursday May 12, 2011
 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:           Race Street Pier Columbus Boulevard at Race Street on the Delaware River
 

WHAT:             The Race Street Pier, an early example of high quality open space along the Central Delaware Waterfront, opens to the public on May 12 with an official ribbon cutting from Mayor Nutter.                          

Through the development of Race Street Pier, DRWC and the City of Philadelphia have developed a strong foundation on which they can begin to add other essential elements to the revitalization of the central Delaware. Race Street Pier will be an integral part of a series of open space improvements as part of the new Master Plan proposed every half mile along the central Delaware.

Program features the following speakers: Tom Corcoran, Mayor Nutter, Councilman DiCicco, Councilman Kenney, Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, Cindy Dunn, Deputy Secretary of DCNR, Drew Becher, President, PHS, Rene Goodwin, Representing CDAG, Central Delaware Advocacy Group, Ryan Berley, Representing Old City and the new Friends of the Race Street Pier
                                                                                                       

BACKGROUND:  In February 2009, Mayor Nutter together with DRWC announced funding was secured for design and construction of a one acre public park on the vacant pier at the base of Race Street, immediately south of the Ben Franklin Bridge.  DRWC and the City of Philadelphia issued a Request for Proposals to provide design, construction documentation, and construction administration services for improvements to Pier 11 with the goal to develop Pier 11 into a publicly accessible riverfront amenity for residents and tourists. With public input and the leadership of the DRWC Planning Committee led by Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Dean, Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania and Alan Greenberger, Executive Director Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Commerce Director, awarded the contract for the project design to James Corner Field Operations, a nationally recognized landscape design team whose credits include the acclaimed High Line in NYC.                           

ABOUT DRWC: The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation organized in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. DRWC acts as the steward of the Delaware River waterfront to provide a benefit to all of the citizens and visitors of the City.          The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia between Oregon and Allegheny Avenues. DRWC intends to transform the central Delaware River waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia. DRWC will serve as a catalyst for high quality investment in public parks, trails, maritime, residential, retail, hotel and other improvements that create a vibrant amenity, extending Philadelphia to the river’s edge. 

DRWC is open, transparent and accountable in connection with its operations and activities with respect to the waterfront. Through the judicious use of financing, land acquisition and development capabilities, the Corporation will work cooperatively with city, state and federal agencies to ensure the realization of the City’s vision for the central Delaware River.