PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

As we all know, 44th President Barack Obama said throughout his campaign that infrastructure investment and urban revitalization are key to reviving the economy in this time of downturn.  In anticipation of his inauguration, the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report last month listing all the "ready to go" projects in cities around the country that require funding in order to complete.  In total, 427 cities of all sizes reported 11,391 infrastructure projects are “ready to go,” representing an infrastructure investment of $73 billion that could create an estimated 847,641 jobs in 2009 and 2010.

The list of projects in Philadelphia was a long one, totaling $2.8 billion and 27,000 jobs.  Click here to read the local list. Projects include:

• $10 million for Station Square at 30th Street Station;
• $20 million for North Broad Street streetscape improvements;
• $25 million for the Centennial District development;
• $25 million for the Central Delaware riverfront development;
• $25 million for Schuylkill River Park trail extension and Locust Street Bridge;
• $25 million for Girard Avenue streetscaping;
• $30 million for Hunting Park redevelopment;
• $50 million for West Market Street redevelopment;
• $50 million for Navy Yard redevelopment;
• $70 million to invest in parks and recreation;
• $100 million for East Market Street property acquisition and development;
• $20 million to install a modern HVAC system in City Hall;
• $6 million to convert 3000 streetlights to LED;
• $110 million for construction of the new Youth Study Center;
• $15.9 million for improvements to two Broad Street Subway stations;
• $17.9 million for 40 SEPTA hybrid buses;
• $11.7 million for citywide planting;
• $5 million for branch library improvements.
  

Click here to read the full report, which includes thousands of projects nationwide.