NW Philadelphian graduates from Citizens Planning Institute
Betty Turner, a 73-year-old Northwest Philadelphian, has years of experience struggling through the thickets of the city’s bureaucracy in order to better her hometown. She’s presided over two community development corporations, co-founded a Germantown citizens group, served as a Democratic committee person, and opened a low-income medical clinic in East Falls.
So if she’s hopeful about a city initiative, it might mean our government is doing something right.
On Monday, she was one of 30 graduates of the first-ever Citizens Planning Institute, a pilot program crafted by the Philadelphia Planning Commission to involve denizens in its two monster projects: reforming the city’s zoning code and forging a new comprehensive plan. Six other students, including block captains, neighborhood association members, CDC leaders and other civic-minded folks, were from the Northwest area. READ MORE
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by PlanPhilly
PlanPhilly
In-depth, original reporting on housing, transportation, and development.
Part of the series
A new apartment building will rise amid a group of Germantown landmarks
The project from Iron Stone Real Estate Partners does not need zoning approvals to move forward.
1 month ago
Philly training program seeks to increase city’s supply of affordable housing
Since launching in 2015, Jumpstart Germantown has issued more than $50 million in loans to help new developers renovate vacant single-family homes.
4 months ago
The legal battle to save Germantown YWCA represents a rare use of controversial Pa. law
The historic property has sat vacant for nearly 20 years. A real estate developer hopes a judge gives him the opportunity to change that.
4 months ago
Listen 7:13