West Philadelphia : Development News

What do New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Baltimore, Spartanburg SC, and Hollywood FL all have in common? Hopefully you’ll have an answer by the time I’m finished with this sentence. If you don’t, these are all East Coast cities that offer bike sharing. Notice that Philadelphia is not in there. With this in mind, a team from the University of Pennsylvania is looking to put our city on par with the likes of Spartanburg by establishing Liberty Bike Share, which aims to bring bike sharing to Center City, University City, South Philly, and the Temple University-area.

Liberty Bike Share is the product of three Masters degree candidates at UPenn who closely analyzed the 2010 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) “Philadelphia Bike Share Concept Study,” says Dylan Hayden, who’s helping to organize the bike share concept. Hayden says Liberty is hoping to make 2,500-2,700 bicycles available to be shared at a cost of abougt $15 million. He adds that Liberty has the support of the Center City District and certain members of City Council. At this point, his group is waiting for the city’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) to issue an RFP. 

As is usually the case, the cost of setting up operations is one of the biggest challenges Liberty faces. Hayden emphasizes that his team is looking to solicit pledges from local hospitals, universities, insurance companies, and other private sector entities willing to chip in. He does admit that securing financial contributions in the Philadelphia-area can be “like squeezing a turnip.” On this note, MOTU has identified the up-front costs of bike sharing as one of its biggest worries. 

Hayden says his team hopes to implement Liberty Bike Share in two phases, with the first concentrating on Center and University Cities and the second extending the program up to Temple. Liberty has two companies in mind, Alta and B-Cycle, to operate the bike share. Alta operates the bike sharing programs in New York City, D.C., and Boston, while B-Cycle is responsible for bike sharing in Spartanburg, Chicago, Denver, and elsewhere. Hayden envisions charging members an annual fee of anywhere between $75 and $90.

The UPenn team hopes Liberty Bike Share will complement mass transit in Philadelphia. “We’re looking to deal with last-mile issues,” says Hayden, who’s talking about the distance between a transit or rail stop and someone’s final destination. Indeed, the Penn senior envisions a future where someone can (as an example) take a train to Market East Station and share a bike to get to their final destination. Hayden hopes to work with SEPTA to incorporate bike sharing in with their upcoming New Payment Technology.

Locally, only one borough offers bike sharing. That would be Pottstown, a borough with around 22,000 people in Western Montgomery County. Bike Pottstown, Pottstown's bike sharing program, is run by Zagster, which launched its bike sharing consultancy in Philadelphia under the name CityRyde before moving to Cambridge, Mass last year. Bike Pottstown is a free bike share, which has filled the streets of the borough with 15 eye-snatching yellow bicycles. 

Hayden is unequivocal about the benefits of bike sharing. “Bike sharing is a policy Swiss army knife,” he says. By this, he means it ameliorates a host of policy issues, including healthcare, sustainability, and mobility. He also says that the city already has much of the infrastructure in place to support bike sharing, including the 215 miles of bike lanes he cites. Bike sharing would provide Philadelphia an opportunity to catch up to other American cities, large and small.  

Writer: Andy Sharpe
Source: Dylan Hayden, Liberty Bike Share

Ten years since launching here, PhillyCarShare (PCS) is still rolling along with innovation, with some recent maneuvers that make their service more convenient, sustainable and in tune with the city it serves.

The company opened up a much more convenient office and customer service center on a stretch of Chestnut St. left vacant by the Borders closing. It has also completely revamped its auto line-up with late model cars and added American-made electric vehicles to their fleet.

The agency opened up an easily-accessible office last month at 13th and Chestnut Sts., in an area that's been punctuated by the shuttering of Borders Books. Previously, PCS members had to trudge up 10 stories at 9th and Sansom Sts. to pick up key fobs or speak to an agent in person.

"The office remains convenient to mass transit but is conducive to walk-in customers so we can better serve immediate customer needs," says Lisa Martini, a spokeswoman with PCS' owner Enterprise Holdings.

Along with PhillyCarShare's new and more visible office, the agency is acquiring new cars that command attention. Martini says the firm is renting four Chevy Volts, which are $39,000 American-made electric cars. All four of the Volts are available to share at 11th and Filbert Sts., which is by SEPTA's Market East Station and Reading Terminal Market.

"PhillyCarShare Volts are being introduced in anticipation of the City of Philadelphia's installation this spring of 18 charging stations in nine locations," continues the spokeswoman. 

Enterprise confirms it's interested in dramatically expanding the portion of the PhillyCarShare fleet that is electric. Martini says she hopes the electric vehicles will tantalize current PhillyCarShare users and lure new people to join the car sharing network. She says the number of electric vehicles that are ordered depends on member feedback. If you're a PhillyCarShare member and you like the Chevy Volt, make sure to let the agency know about it. 

In addition to the electric cars, the resurgent car sharing business has replaced all of its autos and added new pods in Philly. In contrast to many of its older cars that lined city streets just eight months ago, the agency now uses 2011 and 2012 cars, vans, SUVs, and pick-ups. Martini highlights some of the new pods across the city, which were added to Market East, the Navy Yard, Mantua, and Cedar Park. All pods have been removed from SEPTA train station parking lots for the past month while both sides renegotiate their contract. Martini is unable to say when those pods will be restored.

Writer: Andy Sharpe
Source: Lisa Martini, Enterprise Holdings

For years, the neighborhood around Kensington and Allegheny (K&A) has been pockmarked by drugs, vacant property, and homelessness. That has not deterred local filmmaker Jamie Moffett, who’s spearheading an effort to transform vacant properties into owner-occupied homes. Moffett is the pioneer behind Kensington Renewal, which is looking to raise enough money to begin its home ownership mission.

According to Moffett, Kensington Renewal has already identified its first property to resuscitate. "There's an 'abandominium' on Rand St we're ready to purchase & rehab," says Moffett with a glint of pride. This part of Rand St. is mere blocks away from Potter Street, where the producer spent seven years spent living and he currently owns an office across the street from. These blocks are the heart and soul of Kensington, just a short jaunt from the Allegheny El stop.

Kensington Renewal’s biggest priority is raising money to start its campaign of putting Kensington residents into houses. To do this, Moffett is actively seeking donations and selling t-shirts. Moffett calls this "crowdfunding" a house, and is actively using the Internet to raise money. He offers supporters the chance to donate using Helpers Unite and through PayPal on his own website. Also, the filmmaker has partnered with the arts non-profit Positive Space to generate money through film, photography, and gallery showings. 

Moffett is beyond passionate about the transformative effects home ownership could have on Kensington. "Home ownership correlates with crime statistics; the higher the home ownership, the lower the crime," he says, citing a University of Nebraska study. He explains that this is because homeowners are more financially and socially invested in maintaining their properties and neighborhoods.  

The filmmaker’s target market for home ownership is Kensington residents who’ve never previously owned a home. These are locals who Moffett believes have been victimized by slumlords, who let profit get in the way of maintaining rental properties. He’s also taking a stand against redlining, which has caused banks and mortgage companies to flee the area. Finally, he hopes to educate the Kensington citizenry about the responsibilities associated with home ownership. 

The mission to encourage home ownership in Kensington has received support from other community groups and government officials. Moffett commends the New Kensington CDC (NKCDC) and Impact Services for imparting information to the campaign. He also points out the district Councilwoman, Maria Quinones Sanchez, as well as the 24th District police and L&I have expressed support for Kensington Renewal.    

Writer: Andy Sharpe
Source: Jamie Moffett, Kensington Renewal

Photo: Jamie Moffett

The Baltimore Avenue corridor in West Philly supports a distinct mix of long-time residents and culturally- and technologically-savvy newcomers like few other corridors in the city. This will be solidified if the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) approves the construction of Apple Lofts, a proposed apartment building at the forsaken Apple Storage complex at 52nd and Willows Ave. 

Andrew Eisenstein, a managing partner at Iron-Stone Strategic Capital Partners, is hoping to build 112 studio and one and two-bedroom apartments at the former storage facility. The development would be supported by 1,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor, which Eisenstein says could offer food retail or a daycare center, among other possible uses. Parking for 94 vehicles would be included. Iron-Stone is still waiting for the ZBA to decide on whether or not to grant a variance for the development. 

Iron-Stone is enthusiastic about the proposed addition of Apple Lofts. "It's a really innovative project near growing businesses," touts Eisenstein. He adds that it would be the only high-rise building in the neighborhood, and would unfurl wonderful views of the Center and University City skyline. Eisenstein also draws attention to the building's location, which is convenient to the Baltimore Ave. and 52nd St. business strips, and the Route 34 trolley. 

According to Eisenstein, Apple Lofts enjoys the support of Cedar Park Neighbors and Walnut Hill Community Association. To be fair, some neighbors have concerns that this redevelopment could drive taxes up, which is often an anxiety in up-and-coming sections of Philadelphia. If approved, the apartments will be competitively priced, with studios going for $800, one-bedroom units being offered for $1,100, and two-bedroom apartments renting for $1,400. 

The Apple Storage structure is unique for how it was built. Eisenstein says that the building was constructed entirely out of brick and concrete so it could withstand fire. Iron-Stone hopes to begin construction in three or four months, depending on how the ZBA rules. Hopefully Apple Lofts can continue the trend of bringing in new residents without displacing existing ones a little west on Baltimore Ave.  

Writer: Andy Sharpe
Source: Andrew Eisenstein, Iron-Stone Strategic Capital Partners

It's simply amazing the juggernaut that Facebook has become, as you can now check into businesses, comment on Flying Kite articles, and reconnect with (or laugh at) long-lost family and friends. Yet, there's even more, especially for university students in Philadelphia. Campus Apartments, which holds properties in University City, now allows its student tenants to pay their rent through Facebook Connect. Campus Apartments unveiled this service in late January, and is excited with the response, albeit a little afraid of being poked.

Campus Apartments is able to utilize Facebook through a partnership between their existing online payment system, SmartClick, and the social network. Previously, the only way to access SmartClick was by inputting an e-mail address and password, says John Ailor, senior Director of Web and Wireless Technologies at Campus Apartments. Yet, in a sign of how ubiquitous Facebook has become, Campus Apartments decided it would be easier for many residents to simply remain on Facebook to pay their rent.  

Ailor outlines all that students can do via Facebook. They can "make payments, view (the) tenant ledger and submit service requests easily and more quickly than before,” he remarks. Ailor assures that it's far from a complicated process to sign up for the privilege of Facebook rent payment, as it should drag on no longer than a minute. 

While the Facebook perk came only went live just a couple of weeks ago, Ailor boasts that already a few hundred residents used it to pay their February rent. No word on how many of these social networkers live in Campus Apartments' Philadelphia properties. According to Ailor, these several hundred users are among 27,363 active SmartClickers across the country. SmartClick also allows students to pay rent through their app on Android phones. 

Campus Apartments has over a hundred apartments in University City that house pupils at Penn, Drexel, USciences, the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill, and the JNA Institute of the Culinary Arts. Nationwide, Campus Apartments offers student housing in 23 states, including California, Texas, and Michigan. 

The student housing provider reports no complaints about Facebook Connect among the few hundred who have used it so far. For the student Luddites among us, Campus Apartments still offers residents the chance to pay rent by check. Expect to see other student housing firms follow suit with a Facebook payment option. No dislike button needed for this. 

Writer: Andy Sharpe
Source: John Ailor, Campus Apartments

The Philadelphia Zoo might be the nation’s oldest zoo, but it’s ahead of its time when it comes to sustainability.

The zoo began work a few months ago on a new LEED-certified, indoor children’s zoo called the Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo and Education Center, which will house animals hard to find at U.S. zoos. In addition to rare animal breeds, the zoo hopes to include animals that are currently, or are likely to be, affected by climate change.

The zoo is planning to offer a panoply of exotic animals for children, some of which will teach lessons about environmental decay. "There will be a great variety [of animals], providing opportunity for our youngest visitors to engage with animals," reports Dr. Andy Baker, the zoo’s chief operating officer. These animals will represent rare breeds of livestock, sheep, goats, and miniature horses. According to Baker, the youth zoo will also emphasize animals affected by climate change, such as Australian parakeets, tropical butterflies and fish, high-elevation frogs, ants, and even dreaded rats.

The Hamilton addition will include the first LEED-certified zoo building in Pennsylvania. Baker is excited about the zoo’s environmentally friendly approach to teaching children. First of all, he says the project will be sustainable because it will re-use an existing structure, the former pachyderm house. While some new structures will have to be built, they will come equipped with green roofs. Third of all, the children’s center will include a "significant geothermal field" for heating and air conditioning, says Baker. Finally, the facility will utilize rain gardens, and re-use graywater for restrooms.

Baker also hopes to make the new children’s zoo accessible to all types of children, including those with communications and physical disabilities. "Signage will include pictures for autistic kids," says Baker. He also assures that Braille and sign language will be made available for children who are visually- or aurally-impaired. The children’s zoo and education center will also be situated near the entrance of the zoo, which makes it more convenient for children in wheelchairs. Baker makes sure to add that this is part of the zoo’s "tremendous ambition" to enable children to interact with animals.

Expect the Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo and Education Center to open in April, 2013. Baker believes construction will wrap up late this year or early next year, with the remaining few months devoted to opening preparation. Sustainability as it relates to animals and humans will be a central theme, as Baker promises it will include lessons on how people can recycle and use water and energy efficiently.

Writer: Andy Sharpe
Source: Dr. Andy Baker, Philadelphia Zoo

Whether you call the neighborhood Southwest Center City, Graduate Hospital, or G-Ho, one thing that’s not debatable about the blocks immediately to the southwest of Center City is the amount of new and rehabilitated housing that has sprung up in the past few years. Metro Impact Homes is a large reason why this neighborhood’s housing stock has improved. Metro Impact has been building rowhouses and condominiums between 16th St. and Grays Ferry Ave and between Fitzwater and Kimball Sts. for the past few years, and is getting bolder with its scope.

One intriguing project that Metro Impact is currently working on is Montrose Court around 25th and Grays Ferry, mentions Steve Shklovsky, the head of the development firm. Here, Metro is hoping to construct 11 luxury rowhomes with roof decks, green roofs, and garages. "My goal is to transform what is now the worst block in the neighborhood into one of the nicest," says Shklovsky. As development is rarely easy, some neighbors are protesting because of the proposed size of the rowhome yards. This means Metro will need a zoning hearing in a couple of weeks. The new development should start around $400,000.

Another planned Metro Impact development that’s brewing a lot of buzz is the opulent Fitz4 on Fitzwater St. betwixt 16th and 17th. Like the previous development, Fitz4 will feature roof decks and garages, and will be built on what currently is a forsaken intersection. According to Shklovsky, A total of four homes are being drawn up for Fitz4, with two being corner properties. The homes will be far from cheap, as prices are expected to begin in the $700,000 range.

Metro’s proposed new development should only serve to add an exclamation point to the firm’s existing development in Southwest Center City. One of Shklovsky’s proudest developments is at 1910 Christian St., which is a six-unit condominium development. What makes the developer so proud? "The south side of that block is one of the only in the (neighborhood) which had all matching facades and heights," exclaims Shklovsky. Perhaps it was this attention to blending in with the rest of the block that resulted in every condo unit being put under contract within 30 days.

Shklovsky is very content with developing in Southwest Center City, even though his office is in Southampton, Bucks County. He cites the neighborhood’s proximal location to the Rittenhouse Square area and University City as a reason why he’s so enamored. He quickly adds that many of his buyers are doctors and medical students who can appreciate the convenient access to the Penn health system. His primary complaint about the neighborhood is that there isn’t enough commercial space. The developer is sure to mention that he hopes to eventually move his offices to the city. 

Source: Steve Shklovsky, Metro Impact Homes
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Food and energy cooperatives have certainly gained steam in the Delaware Valley in the past few years. Odds are you’ve heard of Weaver’s Way Co-op in Northwest Philadelphia, and you may have even heard of Mariposa and the Energy Co-op. Yet, there’s one you may not have heard of that’s working with federal and city lawmakers to pump up the clout of local co-ops. This co-op is the Kensington Community Food Co-op (KCFC), which was founded in 2008.

One of KCFC’s top priorities is to get the United States House of Representatives to pass the National Cooperative Development Act, according to Peter Frank, the vice president of KCFC and the campaign coordinator of the movement to pass the act. While this is national legislation, Frank is unequivocal that the passage would be a great thing for the Philadelphia-area. “Philadelphia also has a good 'co-op infrastructure' in place to support further co-op development,” says Frank.

This would explain the November launch of the Philadelphia-area Cooperative Alliance (PACA). Along with KCFC, the Alliance counts members from Weaver’s Way, Mariposa, the Energy Co-op, and credit unions. Frank says PACA is orchestrating a cooperative conference at Drexel University in June, which is being organized by the grandson of former mayor Richardson Dilworth on Drexel’s behalf. One of PACA’s first tasks will be to work with Philadelphia City Council to pass a resolution recognizing the social and economic windfalls of cooperatives in the city. 

KCFC’s Vice President is so passionate about the National Cooperative Development Act and PACA because of the positive impact they can have on Kensington. For one thing, KCFC has been looking to open up its own grocery store for some time now, but has not had the funds to do so. The proposed bill could turn the key for this grocery store. Going beyond just KCFC, Frank lauds cooperatives as a chance for decent jobs, vital grocery and banking services, and a means of keeping money in and around Kensington.  

The myriad local benefits of cooperatives justifies why local representative Chaka Fattah wrote the Act, while fellow local Reps. Allyson Schwartz and Bob Brady co-sponsored. Specifically, the bill would provide capital funding for co-ops, along with free technical assistance and training, says Frank. The bill was officially introduced to the U.S. House as H.R. 3677 a couple of weeks ago. No word on when it will go up for vote.

Source: Peter Frank, Kensington Community Food Co-op
Writer: Andy Sharpe

This past year was notable for the amount of cooperation between Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU), the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC), SEPTA, the Center City District, and others to improve sustainable transportation in the city. Along with this, SEPTA received grants and private sector investment to decrease the footprint of its buses and trains. 

The city and SEPTA had a common goal of trying to speed up buses in 2011. The two have been deeply intrigued by giving transit vehicles traffic signal priority, which would entail using smart traffic lights that can sense when a SEPTA vehicle approaches and then stay green for a little longer. The city and SEPTA were rewarded for these efforts just in time for the holidays with a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to install transit signal priority along Castor, Oxford, and Bustleton Aves. in Northeast Philadelphia, according to the office of U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz.

It was also a fruitful year for bicycle and pedestrian proponents in Philadelphia. MOTU embarked on an experiment to remove a lane of vehicular traffic on Market St. and JFK Blvd. between 15th and 20th Sts. to test the feasibility of making the lanes buffered bike lanes with vegetation. From all accounts, it looks like this experiment was a success. The City Planning Commission also presented an ambitious plan to dramatically bolster conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians in Southwest and West Philadelphia.  

Sources: Andrew Stober and Aaron Ritz, Philadelphia Office of Transportation and Utilities, Dan Goodman, Toole Design
Writer: Andy Sharpe

University City continued to distinguish itself as a viable office and residential alternative to Center City in 2011. In fact, there were a number of exciting groundbreakings and announcements that dealt with new public space, high-rise development, and corridor enhancement between 29th and 43rd Sts, with the promise of more to come in the new year.
 
The past 12 months were especially noteworthy for all the new public spaces in University City. Rail commuters and pedestrians at 30th St. Station got The Porch, which is an outdoor promenade that featured yoga, a farmer's market, life-sized puppets during the month of November. The University of Pennsylvania opened up a new park to help bridge the wedge between University and Center Cities, which offers walking paths and athletic facilities. Finally, the city experimented with a "parklet" in front of the Green Line Café at 43rd and Baltimore, which meant replacing a few parking spots with outdoor seating.
 
University City also found itself in the throes of interesting high-rise development and corridor beautification efforts. University Place Associates finally got the anchor tenant it needed to announce groundbreaking for 2.0 University Place at 41st and Filbert, which is envisioned to be the city's first LEED pre-certified building. Also, public art flourished on Lancaster Ave. from 35th to 40th Sts. as a means to draw attention to the continued re-development of that corridor.
 
If you like what you're hearing, University City District's Prema Gupta should make you hopeful for 2012. Gupta reveals that the University City District received two grants from the city for pedestrian plazas. She says that her group is considering using them at the intersection of Baltimore Ave, Florence Ave., and 48th St., as well as on the University of the Sciences campus at 42nd and Woodland. 

Sources: Prema Gupta, University City District, and all the 2011 Development news-makers in University City 
Writer: Andy Sharpe

2.0 University Place, a new five-story office building is about to spring up at 41st and Filbert St, feeding off of the University City Science Center’s revitalization of Market St. The community won’t have to wait long, as the groundbreaking will likely come in January or February of next year. The real story behind University Place will be its impressive sustainability elements, which combine to make it Philadelphia’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum pre-certified building. Platinum is the highest status in the United States Green Building Council’s LEED program.

Scott Mazo, a partner with the development firm University Place Associates, beams when he discusses his forthcoming building’s green technology. For one thing, all 96,135 square feet of tenant space will stay temperate with a "state of the art heating and air conditioning system called chilled-beam mechanical systems," says Mazo. Very few buildings currently use chilled-beam technology, although NASA and Harvard and Stamford Universities have experimented with it. These innovators found energy savings of 30-45% with a chilled-beam system. 

To complement the heating and air conditioning technology, 2.0 University Place will also feature other energy saving techniques. Mazo is proud that the building will be cloaked in energy efficient glass, which will block the sun’s radiant heat in the summer, but attract radiant heat in the winter. This will abate the need for heating and air conditioning. Mazo also reveals that the building will utilize environmentally intelligent elevators, which will capture and re-use energy.

Rainwater filtration and transportation are two other important sustainability components for University Place. The space will be accentuated with a garden on the roof, which will collect rainwater that will eventually be recycled as graywater for the building’s toilets. Mazo lauds the building’s location as a perk to workers who ride mass transit. This development is the "epitome of transit-oriented development," says Mazo. The building is convenient to the Market-Frankford Line’s 40th St. Station and SEPTA buses. The building should also contain shower facilities for bicyclists.

While University Place Associates bared their aspirations for the currently empty lot at 41st and Filbert Sts. a couple of years ago, the stagnant economy delayed any hope of construction. Yet, plans to break ground on 2.0 University Place jolted into motion a few weeks ago when the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they would relocate to the building. This gave Mazo the anchor tenant that he and his associates needed to proceed. "The USCIS was the catalyst that made groundbreaking possible," says the developer.

In terms of attracting other tenants, Mazo says his firm is in talks with two prospective companies. While he’s bound by confidentiality in discussing who’s interested in moving into University Place, he does say that he’s interested in drawing in technology and life science companies, along with socially responsible start-ups. They would fit right in with the expanding Science Center and universities nearby. 

Source: Scott Mazo, University Place Associates
Writer: Andy Sharpe

For decades, Southwest Philadelphia's Paschall Apartments, located at 72nd and Woodland, was not a fun place to be. The public housing was riddled with poverty, drugs, and violence. However, today is a different tale, as Paschall Apartments has been replaced with Paschall Village, a contemporary, community-conscious, and sustainable public housing neighborhood. The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), city council president Anna Verna, and state representative Anthony Hardy Williams cut the ribbon on Paschall Village this past week.

PHA aims to prove that public housing should be fully integrated with its surrounding neighborhood, which Paschall Village exemplifies. Michael P. Kelly, the executive director of PHA, is not satisfied with merely enhanced housing. Instead, he wants to see "better and safer neighborhoods." At the ribbon cutting, this sense of community was about as palpable as the stiff breeze that blew through Paschall that day. In fact, Alphonso Evans Sr., the principal at the Southwest Leadership Academy charter school, spoke about how eager his school was to admit children from the new Paschall Village.

While the PHA prioritizes blending Paschall Village in with the surrounding community, they also hope to sprout a sense of community within. According to Kelly, the Authority made sure to include a 4,000-square foot community center, along with a computer lab. In all, Paschall Village is made up of 100 townhomes, which contain one, two, and three bedrooms and vary in size from 700 to 1,550 square feet. Twenty of the units are handicapped-accessible.

Just like the PHA's recently rebuilt Mantua Square, Paschall Village contains some striking sustainable features. Passersby immediately notice solar panels protruding from each townhouse. These panels help power the development's hot water and Energy Star appliances. Kelly says that the village also sports geothermal heating and cooling and rainwater recycling. PHA was able to include these green advancements through a state Department of Environmental Protection grant. 

Overall, Paschall Village cost $38 million to redevelop. Most of the money came from federal stimulus funds, while Kelly commends Wells Fargo for kicking in $15.5 million in private equity. PHA says construction of the village led to 102 full-time jobs.  It looks like a slew of people and families jumped at the chance to be a part of a community -- Paschall's waitlist has already closed.

Source: Michael Kelly, Philadelphia Housing Authority
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Despite a budget shortfall, SEPTA will be able to resume purchasing hybrid diesel-electric buses thanks to two grants from the US Department of Transportation. For the first time ever, SEPTA will purchase hybrid 60-foot accordion buses, which are the longest buses in the system. SEPTA’s current assortment of hybrid buses is about 30 percent more fuel efficient than equivalent clean diesel buses.

SEPTA is the beneficiary of $15 million in federal funds to cover the difference in cost between hybrid and clean diesel 60-foot buses. Luther Diggs, who’s in charge of operations at SEPTA, says it will stretch out the acquisition of these longer buses over four years, with the first year’s purchase entirely hybrid. Over the four years, SEPTA will be replacing 155 longer buses, with an option for 65 more. The percent of these that are hybrid will depend on how much more grant money becomes available. 

This opens the possibility that additional bus routes might see these longer buses. "We have some additional need for 60-foot buses," confirms Diggs. He suggests that the Route 47 bus, which was the subject of the failed skip-stop pilot and more successful attempts to speed it up, might end up seeing longer buses. Also, he hints that the extremely well-traveled Route 17 bus, which runs up and down 19th and 20th Sts. in South Philadelphia and across Center City, might be another new candidate for the 60-footers.

Shortly after the $15 million grant was announced, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced another grant of $5 million to pay for additional hybrid 40-foot buses, the most prevalent of SEPTA's fleet. This is welcome news for many local environmentalists, who earlier this year were dismayed to hear that funding difficulties meant SEPTA would cease acquiring standard-size hybrid buses. According to Diggs, SEPTA will resume purchasing these hybrid buses in 2013, and only purchase hybrid 40-foot buses in 2014. 

Diggs is convinced that hybrid buses represent the most financially sensible way for SEPTA to green its bus fleet. Diggs says SEPTA did examine running buses using compressed natural gas (CNG) in the mid-1990s. However, hybrid buses were ruled more effective than their CNG counterparts because of "infrastructure, residential neighborhoods, and cost," says Diggs. While some transit agencies in California and Texas use CNG, there are legitimate concerns about the cost of putting in CNG infrastructure and the health risks associated with natural gas.  

Source: Luther Diggs, SEPTA
Writer: Andy Sharpe 

University City District and other groups unveiled a new public space outside of one of Philadelphia's busiest hubs, called the Porch at 30th St. Station, last week. It was quite a festive unveiling, featuring jugglers, humongous puppets from the Spiral Q Puppet Theater, acrobats, cake, and plenty of speakers representing community groups, city government, and business. The Porch is a 40-foot swath of sidewalk between the station and Market St. with tables, chairs, new vegetation, and the potential for so much more.

Prema Gupta, the Director of Planning and Development at the University City District (UCD), is excited about the possibilities that the Porch provides. She emphasizes that the area is currently in a testing phase, which is why it can look a tad barren. However, Gupta envisions farmers markets, performances, and even yoga on the Porch. While the winter might be a slow time for the new public space, there are a series of spring performances scheduled.

For anyone who has spent even a little bit of time around 30th St. Station, it is a supremely frenetic environment. UCD’s Executive Director, Matt Bergheiser, says that 1,800 pedestrians on average stroll along the sidewalk every hour on weekdays. In addition, the streets surrounding the station see seemingly ceaseless congestion from cars, trucks, and buses. Gupta sums up UCD’s goal in the face of all this activity, which is to "bring a sense of human scale to this space."

The District also hopes to narrow the gap between University and Center City. In a similar vein to the recently opened Penn Park, Bergheiser confirms that the Porch is "part of the connective tissue of the city." This means that Amtrak riders who cross the Schuylkill River between University and Center Cities now have a place to take a break, munch on lunch, be wowed by a performance, or maybe even partake in some outdoor yoga. As well, Center City residents, Penn and Drexel students, or anyone else walking between downtown and Left of Center can take advantage of the new public space.

The name of the public space was the result of a contest that saw over 500 entries. In addition to having their name grace the second busiest train station in the nation, the winner of the contest also won a $500 Amtrak gift certificate. The University City District also hopes to crowdsource future decisions about the park, including the type of performances. While the next few months might be relatively quiet for the city’s newest Porch, expect some new fun ways to relax come spring.

Sources: Matt Bergheiser and Prema Gupta, University City District
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Many Philadelphians would say that University City is one of the hottest sections of the city for development. In fact, it seems like both the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University have grand plans to further development in their pockets of the city. With this in mind, Penn Praxis, the University City District, and Sustainable Communities Initiative- West have teamed up with other community, university, and business interests to form the Friends of 40th St. The Friends held their final public meeting last week to brainstorm ways to enhance the 40th St. corridor between Baltimore and Lancaster Aves.

Harris Steinberg, the executive director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Praxis did much of the talking at the public input meeting. Steinberg makes it clear that transportation is one of the biggest slices of the Friends goals. This includes “thinking of our transit portals as important markers,” says Steinberg. 40th St. is an important transit stretch, as it includes the Southwest Philadelphia trolley portal at Baltimore Ave., the 40th St. Market-Frankford Line Station at Market St, and connections with heavily-traveled cross-town bus routes.

One transit issue that stuck a nerve with the crowd was making the station at 40th and Market Sts. handicapped accessible. Even though neighboring El stations have elevators, 40th St. Station does not, despite being feet away from senior housing. Steinberg confirmed that “universal accessibility for all users” is a big area of study for the Friends.

Yet, some members of the audience didn’t feel like the Friends were pushing hard enough for elevators, as question after question emerged about the accessibility of the station. Finally, a representative of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s office spoke up and promised the councilwoman would convene a meeting between SEPTA and neighbors about constructing elevators at 40th St Station.

It’s important to note that transportation isn’t the only aspect the Friends of 40th St. are concentrating on. Steinberg showed a picture of the pocket park around 17th and Chestnut Sts. as an example of how parks could make the street a more appealing corridor. Two other elements that are being examined are preservation/development and density. Specifically, the Friends are researching whether 40th St. can support greater density to create a more vibrant urban environment.

The idea of greater density made some in the audience uncomfortable. Long-time residents griped about a lack of parking and other quality-of-life issues caused by an increase in student population. They also raised their hands to complain about what they saw as local institutions having too much control over development. Steinberg, poised as ever, responds “as new development happens, quality of the built environment would improve the quality of your life.” That sums up what the Friends of 40th St. are trying to do, which is improve the quality of life of everyone who lives, works, shops, or attends classes along the 40th St. corridor.           

Source: Harris Steinberg, PennPraxis
Writer: Andy Sharpe