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.

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

University City Review profiles Centennial Café in Fairmount Park

Maybe it’s the historical fact that the Centennial Café is housed in the only remaining State House from the 1876 Centennial that brought people from all over the world to Philadelphia. Maybe it’s the modest prices. Or the ease of parking that’s free and on the property. Maybe it’s the charm of sitting in Victorian rooms with 16-foot ceilings and sunlight streaming through the windows, or until last week, sitting outside under ancient sheltering trees with acres of parkland stretching into the beyond. Maybe it’s the idea that you can come and just stay between 8 am and 4 pm, eating, reading, talking, or working on your computer on the free WiFi, and no one will ask you to leave. They’ll just smile and refill your caramel latte for less than Starbucks.

But probably, it’s because of David Groverman.

Groverman is one of those guys whose boyish handsomeness belies not only his age but his hard work ethic and his deep commitment to making the world a better place. Despite keeping a low profile, he’s an entrepreneur, an antiques dealer, and a real estate maven who loves to do something in "transitional communities" to create an atmosphere of inclusion.

In 2006, working with every committee from the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust to the Zoning Board, David signed a lease on the Ohio State House in Fairmount Park. Once elegant and substantial, it was the only one of the 26 state houses that was built entirely of stone, and that stone came from twenty Ohio quarries whose workers raised the money and built the 40-foot square two stories on the site. By 2007, after renovating and planting, David had it up and running as a restaurant -- a restaurant open seven days a week and often at night for parties. David’s wife Linda was recruited to work a 35-40 hour week, and David works even longer hours.

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

West Girard Avenue Streetscape 
$1.2 million project will improve quality of life along West Girard Ave

The West Girard Avenue Streetscape Improvement Program is a 1.2 million dollar investment that involves the installation of 63 pedestrian level lights between 25th and 31st Streets.  This is an effort of the City of Philadelphia in collaboration with groups like Fairmount CDC and the Girard Coalition.  Upon completion, the new lighting will improve the quality of life on West Girard Avenue by:

-Enhancing its image and creating a "Main Street" feel
-Making the area safer and more comfortable, particularly for pedestrians
-Adding visibility for current businesses and providing incentives for new businesses to open
 
Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-August and continue until December 2009.  Please contact Lisa Thompson for more information at lisa@fairmountcdc.org.