PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

On Monday, May 17th, Livable Communities Task Force Members Earl Blumenauer and Allyson Y. Schwartz will join Penn Design School’s Penn Praxis and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for a panel discussion on how we can ensure that livability is a priority for Philadelphia. The panel will be moderated by Harris M. Steinberg, FAIA of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. 

Panelists:

• Alan Greenberger, Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning, Economic Development, and Director of Commerce, will provide the city's perspective.
• John Gattuso of Liberty Property Trust will offer the perspective of the private developer.
• Shawn McCaney of the William Penn Foundation will provide the philanthropic perspective.
• Tony Sorrentino of the University of Pennsylvania will provide the institutional perspective.

RSVP here

Location: 
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Time: 
7:00 to 7:30, reception
7:30 to 9:00, program

Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Portland co-chairs the Livable Communities Task Force. From 1996 to 2007, he served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he was a strong advocate for federal policies that address transportation alternatives, provide housing choices, support sustainable economies and improve the environment. 

click here for more information on the Livable Communities Task Force

sponsored by Penn Praxis, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Inquirer: Development of rental unit site begins

Ground was broken Monday at 15th and Poplar Streets in the Francisville section of the city for a development of 44 new rental units aimed at seniors and others with limited income. Twenty-nine of the homes will be accessible or adaptable to disabled people.

The developer, Community Ventures, said the project would be completed next year and would include a garden, off-street parking, and "green" components such as solar energy panels. Funding for the development totals $15.5 million and includes private and public sources, including about $798,000 in federal stimulus money.

Call for Artists: Art + Soul Food
2nd Annual Art + Soul Food will be June 12, 2010

The 2nd Annual Art + Soul Food event will take place on June 12, 2010 from 2 to 6pm and we're looking for both visual and live performance artists. The event transforms the 2700-2900 blocks of West Girard Avenue into art galleries and celebrates art, soul food, and life in the Brewerytown neighborhood. If you're interested, please submit a sample of your work to sharon@fairmountcdc.org by April 15, 2010.

Last year the even attracted over 1,000 residents despite the less than favorable weather. If you're interested in sponsoring this year's event please call the Fairmount CDC at (215) 232-4766.

A message from Fairmount CDC:

Voice your thoughts of a new outdoor Market Place in Francisville

The Francis Village Market Place will be a full service vendor based open market that will be established on the 1600 Block of Ridge Avenue on approximately 10,000 square feet. There will be estimated room to fit a mix of 30 or more micro and small businesses to serve the Neighborhoods of the Art Museum Area and beyond.

The vision is to locate an eclectic mix of quality businesses on a shared location that will appeal to all of the residents in the area. This is an opportunity for the entrepreneur to operate his/her business with extremely low overhead in exchange for the savings being passed on to the consumer.

Please take a few minutes to complete this SHORT SURVEY. With your help, the Francis Village Market Place will be a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for all!

Click here to take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NB5FR35

Inquirer: Temple's real gem: Baptist Temple to reopen as cultural arts center

THERE ARE striking surprises inside the renovated Baptist Temple, on Broad Street at Temple University's North Philadelphia campus.

The 119-year-old former church, designed by architect Thomas P. Lonsdale as an example of the Victorian Romanesque-revival style, was originally known as simply "The Temple" when it opened in 1891.

In fact, the university took its name from the church, which had been built to accommodate the large crowds who literally had to wait in shifts to hear the speeches and lectures of Temple's founder, the Rev. Russell H. Conwell.

Conwell taught night classes at The Temple between 1891 and 1894, said James W. Hilty, a Temple professor of history and community and regional planning.

But the congregation pulled up stakes in the early 1970s and built a larger facility in Montgomery County, leaving the the Baptist Temple, as it later became known, to sit empty, deteriorating for more than 30 years.

Now, after a two-year, $29 million renovation, the university is ready to reopen the Baptist Temple on April 14 as a cultural center to anchor the northern section of the city's Avenue of the Arts.

"It's going to be much more than a performing arts center," said Charles Henry Bethea, executive director of the Baptist Temple.

It is planned as a multipurpose cultural and performing-arts center. (The first concert, by Patti LuPone, is scheduled for April 17.)

The new Baptist Temple will be a gathering place for film screenings, lectures, symposia, commencement ceremonies and a space for private events, from corporate meetings to weddings and other events.

The university is restoring the Baptist Temple's role as a cultural landmark that Conwell predicted 119 years ago, said Hilty.

Originally, the Temple could seat as many as 4,600 people, Hilty said. His new book, Temple University: 125 Years of Service to Philadelphia, the Nation and the World, is expected soon in bookstores.

But critics warned Conwell that the building would never succeed "as a religious and educational institution," Hilty wrote.

To that, Conwell replied: "If we don't make it a success as a Temple, we'll turn it into a theater."

Read the full story...

GRID Philly, April 2010

GRID magazine is a new Philadelphia-based magazine for sustainability. Covering topics such as energy, food, shelter, transportation, ecology and culture.

DVRPC Focus Newsletter, March 2010

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission presents Focus, news and events for local governments within the DVPRC region.

Citizens Business, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and analysis of the region's resources and challenges with the goal of promoting sound public policy and increasing the region's prosperity.

Green Jobs Philly News #17, March 2010

GreenJobsPhilly.org makes it easy for Philadelphians to offer and request GREEN JOBS, green GRANTS and green LOANS.  Our job is to help you connect with the people, money, raw materials and know-how you’ll need.

Next Great City Newsletter, 22 March 2010

The Next Great City coalition is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The initiative is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

Biohabitats, Leaf Litter: Spring Equinox 2010

Thoughts on urban ecology: Is it possible to restore and infuse ecological systems in urban areas?

Councilman Darrell Clarke, 5th District Update, March 2010

This is Councilman Clarke's "5th District Update" which was created to keep you posted on ongoing events and happenings in our district. Click on the link above and feel free to forward to friends or other organizations of the 5th Councilmanic District. If there is anyone who would like to be on the list to receive the "5th District Update" please reply to darrell.clarke@phila.gov with the subject line "5th District Update Email List."

Preservation Alliance e-news, March 2010

The mission of the Preservation Alliance is to actively promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes.

Next Great City Newsletter, 8 March 2010

The Next Great City coalition is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The initiative is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

Federal Transit Administration, Transit Research and Industry News Update (January - February 2010)
The Federal Transit Administration's Transit Research and Industry News Update, a report that provides a variety of information about transportation-related research and technology.

Fairmount CDC Newsletter, March 2010

The monthly newsletter from Fairmount Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)3 organization, is to foster the improvement of the residential, commercial and social fabric of the Fairmount neighborhood, while preserving its character & diversity.

University City Community Enews, March 17, 2010

Click here to read the community newsletter from the University City District, which includes updates on free events and workshops across the neighborhood.

University City Community Enews, March 3, 2010

Click here to read the community newsletter from the University City District, which includes updates on free events and workshops across the neighborhood.

PA Chapter of the American Planning Association Newsletter

The February 2010 Issue of The Vantage Point is now available.  In this issue: PA Land Choices Teaches the Importance of Land Use Planning; Integrating Transportation and Land Use into Comprehensive Plans; Call for Presentations for the 2010 Annual Conference; Required Training Initative; PA Chapter Annual Awards - Applications Now Available