PCPC: Broad & Erie transportation and community development plan

BROAD & ERIE TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN

***Coming Up: PUBLIC MEETING AND WORKSHOP:***
Tuesday March 17, 2009, 6:00pm
Resurrection Life Church, 17th & Tioga

All interested citizens are invited to this meeting. There will be a presentation by the planning team, followed by break-out discussions designed to elicit citizen input on key topics.

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) received a planning grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). PCPC is using the grant to hire a consultant team that will prepare a plan for Broad & Erie. The consultant team is led by Gannett Fleming, Inc. Sub-consultants are (1) Urban Partners and (2) Baker and Company, LLC. The study began in December 2008 and will continue for approximately one year.

Study Area Description
The planning area is ½ mile surrounding the intersection of Broad & Erie. The Broad & Erie area is economically distressed and has not developed to its potential. Existing development does not respond to public transit as fully as it should. Thousands of travelers come to Broad & Erie each day on the Broad Street Subway, the historic route 23 bus, and bus routes X, XH, 53, 56 and C. However the built environment at Broad & Erie does not create an attractive gateway for visitors and commuters. Many buildings are in disrepair and in need of structural or cosmetic improvements. Many other buildings are vacant. A major non-residential section to the northwest of Broad & Erie is characterized by narrow streets on the diagonal; this is a former industrial area that is in need of re-planning and renewal. These problems exist in the shadow of a major regional health complex. The Broad & Erie study area is a study in contrasts, characterized by state-of-the-art medical facilities adjacent to vacant homes and deteriorated commercial areas. Despite numerous challenges, community organizations in Tioga and Nicetown are working diligently to keep the area as stable and healthy as possible.

Purpose
The purpose of the Broad & Erie Transportation and Community Development Plan is to create a blueprint for economic development and neighborhood revitalization according to Transit Oriented Development principles and guidelines for the design of commercial areas and urban neighborhoods. The study will identify development opportunities near the Broad & Erie transit hub and in the adjacent communities of Tioga, East Tioga and Nicetown. The plan will identify areas for new mixed-use development, commercial revitalization, family housing, senior housing and community facilities. Sidewalks, lighting and transportation infrastructure will be assessed and strategies for improvement will be formulated. The plan will draw from several previous plans pertaining to transportation, community renewal and commercial revitalization. Renewal strategies will seek to build upon a key asset: the public transportation that converges at Broad & Erie.

Study Objectives
The consultant team will provide PCPC with a planning report containing strategies and recommendations regarding:

* Transit-Oriented Development
* Transportation Improvements
* Commercial Revitalization
* Community Development and Neighborhood Improvement

Community Outreach
The community engagement process involves periodic meetings of the Advisory Committee and at least two large public meetings/workshops intended for the general public. The first Advisory Committee meeting was held in December. The first large public meeting will take place March 17, 2009.  Community outreach will be managed by the Planning Commission staff along with Baker and Company, LLC.

The Advisory Committee has been established so that major stakeholders can stay informed of the study’s progress and give input to the planning team. Advisory Committee members include representatives of community organizations, business groups, elected officials, Temple University and its Health Science Center, and public agencies such as Commerce Department and SEPTA.

Contact:
Richard Redding, Project Manager, PCPC
Tel- 215 683 4612 … Email- richard.redding@phila.gov
Dave Fecteau, Community Planner, PCPC
Tel- 215 683 4670 … Email- david.fecteau@phila.gov

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