News from the director’s desk, March 22

March 22

Dear PlanPhilly member,

As we work to refine the ideas proposed at the Design Workshop, the Central
Delaware waterfront continues to be in the news.  Here are some quick updates:

Recent News

As we sent last week’s email update, City Council voted unanimously to put a
referendum on the May 15 primary ballot giving residents a chance to vote on
whether or not gaming should be permitted within 1,500 feet of residential,
places of worship, or educational uses. For more information, check out
PlanPhilly’s coverage of the Council hearing at
http://www.planphilly.com/node/1229. 

Last night, Society Hill Civic Association and the Delaware River Neighborhood
Alliance hosted a mayoral forum. Topics of discussion included casino siting
and the need for a viable waterfront planning process in the city.  First
Councilmatic District candidates also spoke briefly.

For more information, check out a brief summary:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/philadelphia/20070322_Evans__Nutter_join_K
nox_to_back_casino_ballot_question.html.

In other waterfront planning news, New Kensington CDC and NABR have begun
outreach meetings for their neighborhood waterfront plan that will build off
PennPraxis’ work and focus on their project area from Spring Garden Street to
Frankford Creek.  The first meeting is tonight at 6:30pm at Hinge Café (2652
East Somerset Street).  For more information on upcoming events, check out
http://www.planphilly.com/event.

PennPraxis Events and Process

The next meeting of the Central Delaware Waterfront Advisory Group will be
held Monday, April 2, at 8:00 am.  We will meet on the 18th floor of 1515 Arch
Street to discuss next steps in the Planning Process.  As always, all Advisory
Group meetings are open to the public.

The following Monday, April 9, will be a mayoral candidate forum sponsored by
the Design Advocacy Group.  This is another important opportunity to see if
our city’s future leaders have the political will and commitment to the
waterfront civic vision.  The forum will be 5:30-7:30pm at the Montgomery
Auditorium at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street.

Don’t forget to check out www.planphilly.com for daily updates on the
waterfront planning process and listing of upcoming planning events in
Philadelphia.

Best,
Harris