Plan Philly: Engaging in Urban Dialogue

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.

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.

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

SEPTA Issues Call for Metal-Panel Proposals for Broad & Girard Subway Stop - Deadline Sep 18

Local artists and metalworkers: SEPTA has just announced a juried public art competition.

Phila-based individuals or creative teams experienced working with metal, are invited to submit qualifications to design a series of panels, to be integrated into stainless steel railings inside Girard Station on the Broad Street Line.

Deadline: September 18, 2009. Budget: $150,000.  Application & info: click here, or contact Marsha Moss, marshamoss@aol.com.

From the Next Great City newsletter:

Things are changing in North Philadelphia.  Spurred by the city's commitment to transit oriented development, low-priced development opportunities, new and improved facilities for Temple University, and the dedication of local individuals and organizations, once blighted areas are showing signs of renewal.  Today's Daily News details some of the new projects that are bringing new life to North Philadelphia. 
The Inquirer shows how revitalization spreads, with a look at the Veggie Kids program, an urban agriculture program run by Urban Tree Connection.  This program, which started in North Philadelphia and has expanded to West Philadelphia, teaches kids and teens about gardening and provides fresh vegetables to underserved communities.

ALSO:

Inquirer: Temple's president plans for the decade

Daily News: Three stories of development in North Philadelphia