Values consolidation under way

In January, there will be a consolidation of citizens’ core neighborhood and waterfront values identified in three public sessions in December.

The values from the forums are listed below. They will be distilled down to seven or eight primary values:

The main consolidated “values” from the Dec. 14 session at Penn’s Landing were:

• Walk-ability – green space, the human scale, to walk without interruption, satellite parking
• Safety – people on street, lighting, police protection, no slots barns
• Ecological protection – green space, sewage, runoff control, green LEED construction.
• Big Sky – green space vision, broad sight lines, public access to river’s edge, low lying buildings, density, open space
• Diversity – cultural, economic, generational, ethnic, activity, occupational, business, ecological.
• Historic preservation – our past.
• River itself – recreation, industry, open space, drinking water, touch-ability, contemplation, history, dredging, no dredging
• Integration of river with rest of the city.
• Community – civic engagement.
• Tension between the working river and pretty “playing” river.

“One of the most interesting things I heard was the organic relationship between the river and the land exemplified by the people who work on the river in boats,” said Ryan Berley of Old City.

The main “values” or takeaways from the Dec. 12 event in South Philadelphia were:

• Valuing green space, open space
• Sustaining the industrial port
• Quality jobs on the waterfront are the economic engine for the city
• Safety comes with traffic control, crime control, no fear, public transit
• Sense of community that starts in the neighborhoods
• Neighborhoods protect and enhance community as a whole
• Protect the history, the traditions, the Mummers Parade
• How schools and churches fit into the waterfront as icons
• Appreciate the diversity of economics, ethnicity, culture in our neighborhoods
• Get our arms around the long-term solutions vs. short term solutions

Finally, listed below are the values that were established during the first engagement forum, Dec. 11, in the Kensington-Port Richmond section of the city:

• Safety – children can play outside, you can walk in the neighborhood
• Family values – small businesses that thrive, places to worship, locally owned businesses.
• Easy access – you can walk or bike or bus to it.
• Diversity – ethnic, lifestyle, multi-generational, economic, diversity of uses, architecture.
• Open space and green space – public spaces, playing spaces.
• History – existing neighborhoods, old buildings, old architecture. Historic identities.
• Jobs – river related and ports related jobs. Jobs for youth.
• Green technology – work with the environment.
• The plan – looking for something that protects the values already mentioned.
• Recreation – using water and land where they meet. Recreation for families.
• Affordable housing – for seniors.