Mt. Airy USA’s speaker series kicks off with update on the Delaware River waterfront

After much success with the annual fundraiser “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” Mt. Airy USA will host an intimate speaker series entitled Metropolitan Minds on Dec. 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Metropolitan Minds is designed to unify the Greater Philadelphia area with the Mt. Airy region by offering events at local businesses and restaurants in the community. It is also a fundraiser, and a portion of the proceeds will support Mt. Airy USA’s community development efforts.

The first event will be hosted at Avenida, a Latin-American restaurant located at 7402 Germantown Ave.

Tom Corcoran, president of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), was selected as the first speaker because of the accomplishments he has achieved since taking the position two years ago.

“We are also a community development corporation and we have an ambitious development agenda,” said Anuj Gupta, executive director of Mt. Airy USA. “Sometimes we are trying to do things that people say is impossible and we think Tom’s work is a perfect example of that not being the case.”

The recent opening of the Race Street Pier, which Corcoran oversaw, also made his presence relevant in the pursuit to keep the community informed.

“I think the more folks know about what is going on in the area and aware of the issues we have to deal with collectively, the tighter community we become,” Gupta said.

The Race Street Pier has two levels overlooking the waterfront, which is perfect for riverside recreation such as bicycling, skating and picnics.

Seating for the series is limited to 50 diners and approximately 40-percent of the seating has already been filled.

If it is well received, Mt. Airy USA hopes to eventually do the series once a month.

Gupta said the community’s support of this event also means supporting continued community revitalization.

Tickets are $50 per person. For additional information, visit mtairyusa.org.