sustainability : Development News

Flying Fish Brewery moves into new digs, quadruples in size

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

On July 10, after 15 years, 11 months, and 1 week, New Jersey's own Flying Fish Brewery officially shut down production at its Cherry Hill digs in preparation for their move into a new high tech brewery in Somerdale, Camden County. The relocation quadruples the brewery’s size and will allow them to meet demand, something they haven’t been able to do in Cherry Hill. Driving this demand are a number of specialty brews the company has become known for over the years, none moreso than their popular “Exit Series” brews that are named for New Jersey Turnpike exits.

After announcing their move late last year, the brewery has been busy building out their new space, with efficiency and sustainability in mind. First off, according to he building is a great example of adaptive reuse. "It was built in the late 1960s and was originally a pressing plant for Motown records," explains owner Gene Muller. Plus, the building is outfitted with a solar panel farm on the roof that will supply a good portion of the structure's electric. Rain gardens have been installed on the grounds and will capture 15% of the storm water off the roof and funnel it to the garden, allow it to slowly seep into the water table instead of running into the nearby Cooper River. "Everything with the building has a focus on sustainability," Muller suggests.

Other site features include a state-of-the-art 50 barrel German-manufactured brewhouse, 150 barrel fermenters, and upgrades in virtually every aspect of the brewery. Comparatively, the Cherry Hill brewery only contained 25 barrels and 50 barrel fermenters.

Once Flying Fish is up and running, owners have indicated plans to reinstate their popular brewery tours. Muller isn't sure when the tours will start up again, but says "not before October" due to impending legislation regarding strict state laws limiting how companys like Flying Fish can sell alcohol. For example, laws, some of which have been on the books since Prohibition, state that New Jersey microbrewers are not allowed to offer product samples outside their brewery, something Flying Fish and other believe has to be amended.

Recently, the company has been active in getting these laws repealed, and supported a bill that just passed in the New Jersey state legislature. It now sits on Governor Christie’s desk, awaiting his approval. The way Flying Fish sees it, passing this bill will help small brewers improve tourism opportunities and cut needless red tape that hinders their ability to expand in the future. And perhaps more importantly, Muller indicates if the legislation passes, more jobs will be created too. "If it passes, we would hire staff so that we could be open to the public for tours several days a week."

Writer: Greg Meckstroth
Source: Gene Muller, Owner, Flying Fish Brewery

How Philadelphia 2035 district plans are prioritizing smart growth initiatives

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Philadelphia 2035, Philly’s citywide comprehensive plan, is in the midst of a two-stage process that will dramatically change the City’s physical and political landscape for years to come. The broad-brush Citywide Vision portion of the Plan was adopted in 2011 and over the next several years, 18 district plans will be administered, applying the Citywide Vision objectives on local levels.

And with the recent completion of a number of district plans, themes are emerging and priorities are becoming clear, notably that Philly wants smart growth policies and transit-oriented development implemented in their neighborhoods. This is particularly important considering these early district plans are setting the bar for which all others will be measured.

The Lower South District Plan was recently completed, covering the far southern reaches of Philly and including notable destinations such as the stadiums/arenas, the Navy Yard, and FDR Park. Like all district plans, The Lower South District Plan touches on nine planning elements of neighborhoods, economic development, land management, transportation, utilities, open space, environmental resources, historic preservation, and the public realm. But its main goal is to create policy for future land use plans, hone in on planning focus areas, and make Capital Program recommendations.

One of the most exciting policy recommendations is to create transit-oriented development (TOD) around the Broad Street subway line on land currently occupied by swaths of auto-oriented development (parking lots) that support sports stadiums and arenas. TOD is seen as a critical neighborhood typology that responds to rapid transit access, such as a subway. Typically, densities are heightened, parking requirements relaxed, and walkability measures promoted to maximize public investment in transit and create great neighborhoods. Philly does well on these measures in Center City but lacks similar, modern, TOD on a neighborhood level.

Another district plan is in the last legs of its planning process. Although geographically dissimilar to the Lower South, the Lower Northeast Plan also features key recommendations for creating TOD and enhancing public space around that area’s transit access points. Just like in the Lower South District, Lower Northeast residents see their transit assets, like the Frankford Transportation Center, as an important figure in building neighborhoods of tomorrow, explaining their prioritization of development around them.

As part of the broad Citywide Vision, a complete zoning code overhaul was undertaken, in part to better equip the City in developing in more traditional, transit-oriented ways. What remains to be seen is if the brand new code is actually flexible enough for real TOD to be implemented in ways the districts are clearly clamoring for. Or will developers get mired down in variance requests as they look to implement the district’s transit visions? Expect answers to these questions and others like them as more and more district plans come online in the years to come, wrapping up the planning process and hopefully initiating implementation of recommendations.

Writer: Greg Meckstroth

New Benjamin Franklin Parkway Action Plan aims to improve pedestrian experience, connectivity

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is one of Philadelphia’s most famous and beloved stretches of street. And for good reason: aside from its name, which reminds us of one of Philly’s most admired citizens and America’s most important founders, the boulevard connects some of the most important arts and cultural institutions in the City.

In an attempt to elevate its pedestrian experience and neighborhood amenities with its already high cultural offerings, the Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with Penn Praxis and the Penn Project for Civic Engagement, is putting together an Action Plan to improve the Parkway's overall appeal.

Between July 23-31, community meetings will be held to discuss improvements, programs, and projects that the public would like to see along the Parkway. “Since we are just starting the planning process, we are very open to being informed by the process and by the public,” explained Patrick Morgan, Chief of Staff to Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike DiBerardinis. But with that said, Morgan notes than the Action Plan is being directed by a few guiding principles, placing emphasis on actionable items and projects that can be attained within the next few years.

And with Parks and Rec and Penn Praxis fueling this effort, expect real, tangible results to come from the process. “The great thing about this planning effort is that ideas that are generated out of it have a structure and core groups of leaders to help actually make them happen,” explains Morgan.

According to Morgan, the Parks and Recreation Department has already been working on humanizing the pedestrian experience along the Parkway. Improvements thus far have included better pedestrian crossings, new bike lanes, and new street trees. Amenities, such as pop-up playspaces, new concessions, and bike rentals, have also recently been added. And right smack-dab in the middle of the Parkway, Logan Square’s beautiful new Sister Cities Park offers a great model for what can be attained along the rest of the street. The Action Plan aims to compliment these successes, and take the Parkway’s pedestrian experience to new heights.

The Action Plan will help bring definition to the Parkway’s main function, something that has been in a constant state of flux. Created in 1917, the Parkway is the City’s most prominent example of the City Beautiful Movement, an early 1900s urban planning idea that aimed to introduce open spaces, boulevards, and greenery into American cities, places seen as dingy, dirty, and crowded at the time. The Parkway was originally modeled after the Champs d’Elysees but has instead become the center of some of Philly’s most important arts and cultural institutions.

This contrast explains why the Parkway has struggled to define itself. Is it an open space first, an against-the-grain thoroughfare meant to get from Point A to B, a tourist mecca for art lovers, an active urban Parkway? Pedestrian and connectivity improvements are a must in any urban environment; this is a given. And its great the Action Plan aims to improve these features. But what is the Parkway’s central function, and how flexible is it going to be to achieve that end? This needs to be the first question answered during the Plan’s community outreach process so that any improvement or programmable amenity that is implemented goes towards an overarching purpose in defining the Parkway’s future.

To attend one of these meetings and make your opinions heard, RSVP to [email protected]. All meetings run from 6:30-8:30, with registration beginning at 6:00. The first meeting was already held on Monday, July 23 at the Francisville Recreation Center. But don’t fret, three additional meeting will be held over the next week. For questions on the locations, contact Penn Project for Civic Engagement at 215-898-1112.

Source: Mike DiBerardinis, Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation
Writer: Greg Meckstroth

Manayunk lease falls through, but thirst for Juice Box, coworking space for parents, lives on

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be just for the young and mobile or the empty nester looking for new beginnings. Parents with young ones, who don’t want to choose between work and family, are increasingly looking for ways to explore their entrepreneurial spirit. Enter the appropriately named Juice Box, a Philly coworking space that will support a community of entrepreneurs looking to get their creative juices jumping; most of whom also happen to be parents.

“Our goal is create an environment where you can be more productive than at home, collaborate and socialize with others, experience those serendipitous moments that coworking communities are known for, and still stay connected to your children,” explains Aliza Schlabach, founder of Juice Box.

Schlabach and her husband, Kevin Schlabach, are still looking for a physical location to carry out the mission of Juice Box after a recent lease in Manayunk fell through due to unforeseen circumstances. And having worked on this concept since January, the couple is extremely disappointed by this recent turn of events. Undeterred, they remain confident and eager to move forward, citing a significant demand for this type of space from people who live in Center City, Mt. Airy, Manayunk, along the Main Line and beyond. “We're anxious to get a space open so that our community of entrepreneurial and work-from-home parents can get out of their houses, grow, and succeed together.”

According to Schlabach, the space will be similar to Indy Hall, the popular coworking space in Old City, but with a slightly different demographic. Yes, the space will have the typical facilities: WiFi, desks, conference rooms, coffee, etc., but will be equipped with an added bonus any entrepreneurial parent will enjoy - an adjacent but separate area for drop-in or scheduled childcare.

Schlabach hopes the facility will become well integrated into Philly’s entrepreneurial scene, and expects to hold “lots of community events” at Juice Box. “That means hosting events in our space as well as encouraging our members to attend other events in and around Philadelphia.”

But Schlabach’s goals go far beyond hopes for just the physical space. Ultimately, helping parents’ achieve a work-life balance is what Juice Box is all about. In an effort to achieve these lofty ambitions, the facility will offer member perks such as end-of-day grocery delivery and task and errand services.

Additionally, all members of the community, including non-parents, are welcome into Juice Box fold, hoping they can add vitality and vigor to the space’s mission and something Schlabach deems especially critical. “Growing a community of individuals with their own unique stories, experiences, and knowledge is what will allow Juice Box to truly thrive.”

Source: Aliza Schlabach, Juice Box
Writer: Greg Meckstroth

Amid major renovation, Weavers Way Co-Op pops-up with summer of fun in Mt Airy

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Attention Northwest Philly residents: Weavers Way Co-op’s Mt. Airy location at 559 Carpenter Lane is undergoing a significant renovation this summer. Here’s the good news: the space overhaul will bring an expanded pet supply store and a new wellness store at 608/610 Carpenter Lane. Part of the renovation also involves a greatly expanded bulk section. Store operators believe it will be the biggest in the city with hundreds of bulk items – nuts, grains, snacks, and other dried goods, as well as oils and vinegars, and even cleaning supplies.

And now for the even better news: for those loyal Weavers Way customers who rely on the store’s convenient location for their grocery needs, not to worry. This past week, Weavers Way moved operations from its main store to a pop-up shop in the Co-op’s community meeting room nearby at 555 Carpenter Lane. The shop will include a selection of groceries from every department and an outdoor produce market.

“We decided that by opening the pop-up shop, with a big outdoor produce component, we could meet most shoppers’ everyday needs,” says Jonathan McGoran, communications director for the Weavers Way Co-op. “We are also providing a shoppers’ shuttle van between our Mt. Airy store and our Chestnut Hill store, so our shoppers who are used to walking to the Mt. Airy store to do their shopping can still do so.”

Convenience seems to be the Co-op’s main priority; the shuttle will run every 20 to 30 minutes, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2–7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to–1 p.m.

But just in case the renovation deters otherwise loyal customers, Weavers Way has arranged a variety of events including music, crafts, food truck nights, kids’ events, and parties to keep foot traffic at healthy levels. “A big consideration was to minimize any negative impact on our neighboring businesses,” McGoran clarified. “The pop-up shop will help maintain some of our foot traffic that businesses like the Highpoint Café and Big Blue Marble Bookstore depend on.”

Billed as the Weavers Way Co-op’s Mt. Airy Summer of Fun, events officially began this past weekend on July 13 with a Kick-Off Event that featured live music, a large selection of dinners and desserts from popular Philly food trucks, and a beer and wine tasting that showcased the region’s best alcoholic beverages. For a full list of planned events throughout the summer, visit www.weaversway.coop to learn more.

On top of this, and to keep things popping, Weavers Way is sponsoring a Mt. Airy Village Loyalty card program, raffling $5 off Weavers Way purchases of $50 or more for every ten purchases of $5 or more at the Mt. Airy Village businesses.

During construction, hours for the Pop-Up will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Construction at the existing Weavers Way will began in full on July 16 and is anticipated to last until the end of August. Once the renovated co-op space opens, the pop-up will close up shop for the time being.

And as for any other pop-up shops for other Weavers Way sites throughout Philly, that has yet to be determined. “Right now, there are no plans for other Pop-up shops, but I wouldn’t want to rule it out,” explained McGoran. “But we frequently have outdoor events, both in Mt. Airy and in Chestnut Hill, and we will certainly continue to do so.”

Source: Jonathan McGoran, Weavers Way Co-op
Writer: Greg Meckstroth

New Hawthorne Park builds on Philly�s open space legacy

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Mayor Nutter cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially signify the opening of Hawthorne Park at 12th and Catharine Streets last Thursday (June 5). The park is the final phase to a neighborhood transformation plan that saw the demolition of the Martin Luther King Plaza housing projects in the early 1990s and the construction of a more physically connected, contextually sensitive mixed-income housing development. The park was a critical part of the initial plan and is expected to become a vibrant social hub for the neighborhood, integrating the new housing development with the surrounding built environment.

The $2.1 million park adds almost an acre of greenspace to South Philadelphia's Hawthorne section and features high quality plantings, public art, and quality materials that ultimately makes it a welcomed addition to the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system.

The Park’s opening is newsworthy for a number of reasons. First, it represents a key milestone in the Mayor’s Greenworks and Green2015 initiatives, demonstrating the city’s commitment to improving the health of residents and the vibrancy of neighborhoods. But also, it puts money and policy prioritization towards principles in which the City was founded on. In Philadelphia, parks and open space has always been seen as critical parts to urban neighborhoods, an ideal best showcased in the city’s storied public spaces like Rittenhouse and Washington Square. But as the city grew and spread outward the planning and implementation of open spaces did not always follow suit, leaving large swaths of Philadelphia without equitable access to open space.

The opening of Hawthorne Park signifies the city’s willingness to take this issue on. Eventually, the City plans to implement vital public spaces in all Philly neighborhoods so that every resident in every neighborhood has walkable access to park space. For a city with such a significant and storied public space legacy, nothing less should be expected.

Writer: Greg Meckstroth

Raising the sustainability bar with NoLibs net-zero development

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

In recent years, Northern Liberties has become synonymous with ultra-sleek, upscale residential infill development. Whether its been contemporary row houses, bougey mid-rises or industrial lofts, Northern Liberties has come to define its niche in modern, urban living. And it doesn’t seem this neighborhood has any intention of ending its residential real estate offerings there; the area is getting its feet wet with sustainable development and will soon welcome Philly’s first net-zero energy housing development at 720 N. Fourth St.

The project, called Foundry Courts, will consist of five townhouses starting at $799,000 each and will be developed by Nexus Energy Homes, a Maryland based homebuilder that has found a way to build green homes at costs comparable to conventional ones.

So what exactly is a ‘net-zero building’ and how does it work? The answer to those questions are relatively simple: Through a number of features including solar power generation, a net-zero home feeds power back to the grid on sunny days and draws minimal energy at night or when its cloudy, resulting in a net energy cost of zero.

On top of this, the homes will feature other sustainable features including geothermal wells and solar power, as well as green roofs and rainwater harvesting. The ultra green-fest doesn’t end there: all homes will be developed to Emerald Certification standards – the highest green building certification offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Perhaps more importantly, this project is getting major props from the City’s Office of Sustainability and is seen as a major step towards their goal of making Philly the greenest city in the nation. Considering Nexus has played an important role in Maryland’s North Pointe eco-community, and with the University of California, Davis pushing the envelope with its recent net-zero community, expect Foundry Courts to be replicated throughout Philly in years to come. And who knows, if Northern Liberties wants to continue to push the envelope and developers are on board, perhaps the neighborhood can harness the net-zero concept on a community scale and become America’s first net-zero urban neighborhood. Now that would truly raise the sustainability bar nationwide.

Writer: Greg Meckstroth

ThinkBike Workshop enlists Dutch experts to reimagine bicycling around Temple University

Flying Kite Media Tuesday, June 26, 2012

There's been a steady and significant increase in the number of cyclists in Philadelphia, which has been ranked first among the 10 largest American cities for bicycle commuters, according to The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey.

The area around Temple University lags behind other neighborhoods. Last week, Temple hosted ThinkBike, a cycling workshop in collaboration with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, which promotes innovation worldwide.

The Royal Netherlands Embassy, in cooperation with Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities, Temple University, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Streets Department and the Dutch Cycling Embassy held the two-day ThinkBike Workshops last week.

At the closing session, Bradley Flamm, PhD, Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning at Temple University, said, "There's a lot of potential to increase safety, comfort and convenience for the people of this city." At Temple, only 8% of students, faculty and staff regularly cycle to and from campus. the majority now drive alone.

The ThinkBike team picked key routes: Broad Street, 12th and 13th Streets, Berks, Spring Garden and Fairmount Avenue, making recommendations based on street width and international precedent. One suggestion was to create a bike lane on the other side of parked cars, adjacent to the sidewalk. This setup is now in place in Holland, and it changes the dynamic considerably, allowing cyclists to traverse streets without fear of being sideswiped or flipping over car doors that open unexpectedly. The team looked into landscaping that would add green space between the bike lane and parked cars.

North 13th Street was viewed as a major opportunity for north-south commuters, given the huge amount of vehicular traffic already on Broad Street. An estimated 32,000 vehicles travel on the city's main north-south arterial daily. The team's suggestion was to create a two-way bike lane system. Another suggestion that would dramaticlly alter the cityscape is to cordon off an entire lane around City Hall for bikes only, and extend lanes on 15th, 16th, and create a two way cycle track on JFK Boulevard.

If undertaken as a pilot program, no new legislation would need to be enacted to make the cyclist friendly changes, according to the team. ThinkBike Workshops move on to Washington, DC, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Source: Bradley Flamm, Temple University
Writer: Sue Spolan

ON THE GROUND: Wolf Cycles howls at history with new ownership on Lancaster Ave.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Wolf Cycles manager Sofi Courtney was greeted by boxes and trash bags full of stuff when she ventured upstairs at the shop's recently revived location at 4311 Lancaster Ave.

"We pulled everything out, and right at the bottom there’s a bunch of hats," says Courtney. "Two of them were signed by Eddy Merckx."

Merckx won the Tour de France five times and is considered the "greatest cyclist of all time." One of those hats now hangs in a frame on the shop’s wall.

In operation since 1932, Wolf Cycles is the city’s oldest continuing bike shop with a rich history - and some treasures. In 1976, Carl Miller bought Wolff Cycles from Frank Neumann and Herman Wolf. Although it took Miller over an hour to get to the shop from his Northeast Philadelphia home, he "loved every minute of it." During Wolff Cycle’s later years, his time at the shop began to dwindle. After over 30 years of ownership, he realized it was time to retire.

"My age caught up to me," Miller said.

When he was ready to sell, Miller wanted the business to remain as a bike shop. He was adamant.

"I feel it’s an institution," Miller said. "It’s for the young and old and it should be there. It’s an establishment that that can’t go away."

In November 2011, Sam Davis and Monica Pasquinelli, owners of Firehouse Bicycles on Baltimore Avenue, purchased Wolff Cycles (and dropped the last "f" when it reopened shortly thereafter)

When the new staff arrived, its history began to emerge through old receipts, found objects, and customers. They quickly recognized how much the shop meant to those who grew up in the neighborhood.

"I love that it’s such a neighborhood shop. Everybody has a connection to it," Courtney said. "Everybody’s been coming here their entire lives at least. Or their parent’s lives, their grandparent’s lives. It’s just an incredible community shop."

Courtney said the location of Wolf Cycles "feels very familiar" to its sister shop. The major difference between the two? Wolf Cycles sells a lot of children’s bikes.

"Like everyone bought their bikes here when they were kids," said Cortney. "A lot of it is because people are like, ‘I got my first bike here and I want mine to get theirs here.’"

Wolf Cycles is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They offer bicycle repairs and services; sell accessories, parts and new and refurbished bikes.

"Right now, we’re serving the immediate local community and students," Courtney said. "We are going for reliable, affordable."

On Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. (weather permitting), a bike ride to the Belmont Plateau is open to all. If someone does not have a bike for the ride, they can borrow one from the shop.

This summer, Courtney said Wolf Cycles wants to gain visibility in the community and let people know they are there all year round.

Miller said he misses the shop very much. But he is comforted knowing that its history will go on.

"I like seeing the tradition of Wolff Cycles continue," Miller said. "It feels great."

Source: Sofi Courtney, Carl Miller, Wolf Cycles
Writer: Zenovia Campbell

ON THE GROUND: Chic Afrique moves natural cosmetics store west to expanded shop on Lancaster Ave.

Flying Kite Media Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Chic Afrique has moved to a location that's double in size, but what customers see is only the tip of the company's business. "Ninety percent of our sales are online," reports Victoria Onwuchekwa, founder/chief cook and bottle filler at the natural cosmetics store now located at 3943 Lancaster Avenue.

Now offering over 30 products in its cosmetics line, Chic Afrique began as a kiosk at the Echelon Mall nearly three decades ago. Onwuchekwa had just completed her Master's degree in pharmacology at Long Island University, where she became fascinated by the chemistry of cosmetics. While in search of a dissertation topic, Onwuchekwa's mother, who is a pharmacist, suggested she pick a topic near home, and Onwuchekwa embarked on a study of shea butter, a common ointment in Africa that's been growing in popularity here in the US.

"Science, chemistry and pharmacology came easy to me," says Onwuchekwa. "I decided to do something extra on the side." Combining art and science, she developed simple emulsions that are still the basis for an extensive offering that includes body butter, souffle, lotion, soap, hair oil and butter, shampoo, conditioner and even candles.

Onwuchekwa's philosophy in developing products comes from the life cycle. Watoto has ingredients gentle enough for a baby; Karite is meant for a growing child's scrapes and rashes; Okuma is for a young girl who wants to smell nice; Saronia has a potent scent meant to attract suitors, and Ife, which means love, contains turai, a Senegalese aphrodisiac. Onwuchekwa counts all ethnicities among her loyal patrons, and also offers custom labeling for business to business sales locally, nationally and internationally.

Chic Afrique moved from the Echelon Mall to The Gallery at Market East, first in a kiosk and then in a retail shop. Onwuchekwa then expanded to 7th and Walnut streets for a decade; after a brief period doing only wholesale, she opened up another retail spot at 3874 Lancaster just last year.

Less than two months ago, Onwuchekwa's landlord called to offer the much more spacious storefront a block west. It allows shoppers a peek into Onwuchekwa's open kitchen/laboratory, which occupies the entire back half of the expansive space. The business also has three employees.

The building was previously occupied by Grace Church and Community Center, as evidenced by the sign that still hangs above the door. Business hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.

Source: Victoria Onwuchekwa, Chic Afrique
Writer: Sue Spolan

City still encouraging homeowners to apply for proposed Homestead Exemption tax break

Flying Kite Media Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The City of Philadelphia's Actual Value Initiative (AVI) might be on hold until next fiscal year, but it is still banking on real estate tax relief in the form of proposed Homestead Exemption legislation. Homeowners must apply by July 31, 2012, and the only requirement for acceptance into the program is that the you must own your home and live in it. It's actually a very simple process. On July 1, says Marisa Waxman, Office of Property Assessment, Philadelphia homeowners will receive a pre-printed application, so there's no need to take action until then.

"It's a tax relief program that already exists in every other county in the Commonwealth," says Waxman, who points out that other efforts both statewide and nationwide are often far more complicated.

Age, income and length of homeownership do not figure into eligibility. Here's how it works: you will pay taxes on the value of your home minus $30,000. For example, if a home is assessed at a value of $100,000 and there is a $30,000 Homestead Exemption, a homeowner would only pay taxes based on $70,000 compared with the actual value of $100,000.

"The City is currently undertaking a reassessment which will value properties at their market value. For residential properties, the comparable sales method is utilized in most cases. For commercial properties, the income/expense method is utilized in most," explains Waxman.

It does not matter if your home is worth $1 million or $80,000. You still get that flat $30,000 discount. Waxman says the greatest benefit will be for those with lower value homes. "It's the simplest program on the planet once we get it up and running."

The homestead real estate tax exclusion will be available for properties located within the City of Philadelphia when legislation is passed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and a City of Philadelphia ordinance also has to go into effect. But city officials are encouraging residents to apply now, as it can help reduce the taxable assessed value used for calculation of a tax bill by a proposed $30,000.

Even if part of a primary residence is used as a home office or a rental property, a property owner may still be eligible to benefit from the Homestead Exemption for the percentage of the property that functions as the primary residence.

Following approval, there's no need to reapply unless the deed to the home changes.

Applications received after the deadline for this year will be considered for tax year 2014. Those who are approved in this initial round will be notified in the fall of 2012, pending passage of AVI.

Source: Marisa Waxman, Office of Property Assessment, City of Philadelphia
Writer: Sue Spolan

BICYCLE COALITION: Check out who's in front of the pack for the I Bike PHL Challenge

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Editor's note: This is presented as a content partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

If you're friends with Frank Martin, you best be in good shape. Martin is the top Philadelphia-area rider and ranks 7th nationally in the National Bike Challenge, a free program that runs through August with the goal of uniting 50,000 people to bike 10 million miles.

The local manifestation of the national effort, the I Bike PHL Challenge, includes nearly 900 riders. Nearly 600 of them logged 93,067 miles in May. Temple University ranks 15th among participating teams. While Philadelphia currently ranks 73rd among metro areas, Pennsylvania ranks 7th among states, behind Vermont, Wisconsin, Nebraska, District of Columbia, Iowa, and Colorado.

Beyond The Circuit

Two segments of The Circuit, the region's 250-mile plus network of trails that recently has been buoyed by a powerhouse coalition of supporters and funders, are opening this month. On Monday, the Gray's Ferry Crescent Trail was officially dedicated, including a transformation of the Schuylkill Riverfront and added green space for Gray's Ferry.

On June 21, the first TIGER-funded trail project -- the mile-long Schuylkill River Trail at Bartram's Garden, will also get an official ribbon cutting.

A Dutch treat

In the Netherlands, cycling accounts for 27 percent of all trips and 59 percent of all city trips, thanks to abundant cycle paths and segregated cycle facilities. Next week is an opportunity to learn from Dutch bicycle transportation experts. Sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Transportation, the Dutch Embassy, the Bicycle Coalition and Temple's School of Architecture, the ThinkBike Workshop will be held June 18-19 at the Temple University Architecture Building (2000 N. 13th St., Philadelphia).

The opening session showcases innovative ideas used in the Netherlands that improve safety and support high cycling rates. The closing session features two design teams led by Dutch experts that will present Dutch methods that can be applied to areas surrounding Temple's main campus and City Hall.

Limited openings are available for the design teams. Interested persons should call Aaron Ritz at 215-686-9000 or email him here.

Earning our stripes

The Department of Parks and Recreation has begun the much-anticipated striping of 10 miles of path along Kelly Drive, MLK Drive and Schuylkill River Park Trail on Schuylkill Banks -- among the busiest bike paths in the region.

Parks and Rec's efforts will include traffic control signs in areas where the trail meets parking areas.

THE BICYCLE COALITION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA has been making the region a better place to ride a bike through advocacy, education, and outreach since 1972. The nonprofit, membership organization's programs include Bike Philly, the Bicycle Ambassadors, Safe Routes Philly, the Complete the Schuylkill River Trail campaign, and Neighborhood Bike Works (now an independent organization). Follow the Bicycle Coalition on Facebook, Twitter, and on their blog.

Send feedback here.

BICYCLE COALITION: Check out who's in front of the pack for the I Bike PHL Challenge

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Beyond The Circuit

Two segments of The Circuit, the region's 250-mile plus network of trails that recently has been buoyed by a powerhouse coalition of supporters and funders, are opening this month. On Monday, the Gray's Ferry Crescent Trail was officilaly dedicated, including a transformation of the Schuylkill Riverfront and added green space for Gray's Ferry.

On June 21, the first TIGER-funded trail project -- the mile-long Schuylkill River Trail at Bartram's Garden, will also get an official ribbon cutting.

A Dutch treat

Limited openings are available for the design teams. Interested persons should call Aaron Ritz at 215-686-9000 or email him here.

Earning our stripes

Parks and Rec's efforts will include traffic control signs in areas where the trail meets parking areas.

University City District will be encouraging neighborhood composting through The Dirt Factory

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Composting in University City is catching on. In just a couple weeks, the University City District (UCD) will be opening The Dirt Factory composting facility at 43rd and Market, a partnership between UCD and the Pedal Coop, a bicycle-powered disposal service that serves West (like Plotland at 44th and Locust) and South Philly (like Mercy Edible Park) and Center City.

The Dirt Factory represents the most permanent composting facility the Pedal Coop’s ever had, according to Seth Budick, the manager of policy and research at UCD, who says the cooperative is currently forced to compost at community gardens and other short-lived sites, which quickly hit capacity, forcing the disposers to find other sites. The facility will also have limited hours when other University City residents can use it.

"Our hope is that this facility will have sufficient capacity to allow (Pedal Coop) to expand their collection, increasing the number of residents and businesses that are able to compost," says Budick. This will enable Pedal Coop to handle large university functions at UPenn, Drexel, USciences, and other institutions.

West Philly businesses seem excited about the large-scale local composting option, whether or not they contract to the Pedal Coop. Budick says that Pedal Coop clients Metropolitan and Four Worlds Bakeries, both of which serve bread in West Philly, are especially thrilled about The Dirt Factory. Along with that, he adds that an increasing number of local businesses, affiliated and unaffiliated with the Coop, are asking how they can compost at 43rd and Market.

The Dirt Factory will also have limited hours when University City businesses, non-profits, and residents can compost.

"We hope to begin by opening the site once a week for drop-offs of small quantities of compostables," says Budick. Eventually, the space could open to the public more if the need exists.

The UCD is also planning compost, food, and sustainability workshops for the summer months to be held on-site, says Budick, who promises more details will be announced soon. Also, the site will have smaller composting classrooms where members of the community can learn techniques for composting at home. Additionally, the Walnut Hill Farm recently planted fruits and vegetables at The Factory using neighborhood compost.

Other partners in the composting effort include the owners of the property at 4308 Market St. who offered up the parcel, and the University of Pennsylvania, which sold its used "Earth Tub" composting machines at a greatly reduced rate. The public grand opening for the Dirt Factory will be on June 20, and will feature complimentary refreshments by Four Worlds, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, and Dock St. Brewing Company.

Source: Seth Budick, University City District
Writer: Andy Sharpe

A better way to dispose of food waste in West Oak Lane and Point Breeze

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Philadelphia’s Streets Department is teaming up with community groups in West Oak Lane and Point Breeze and a private food waste disposal company to encourage residents to use sink disposals to get rid of food, instead of merely throwing it away. The voluntary pilot program, called "Clean Kitchen, Green Community" is another step by the Nutter administration to help fulfill its Greenworks sustainability blueprint and make the city the most environmentally-friendly in the nation.

The food disposal pilot relies on the Ogontz Ave. Redevelopment Corporation (OARC) and Diversified Community Services (DCS) to get the word out to residents in West Oak Lane and Point Breeze, respectively. This is a role that both community organizations are happy to play.

"We pride ourselves on being innovators," says John Ungar, the chief operating officer of OARC. Both Ungar and Cheryl Weiss, the executive director of DCS, say their organizations have been busy going door-to-door in the community, striving to convince residents to give the program a try.

One hundred homeowners in both Point Breeze and West Oak Lane will receive a complimentary sink food disposal system and free installation by local plumbers, says city Streets commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson. The disposals will be provided by Wisconsin-based InSinkErator. The president emeritus of InSinkErator, Jerry Ryder, spoke at the West Oak Lane press conference and demonstration for "Clean Kitchen."

This pilot is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to bolster its environmental sustainability. While the city has worked to address greening as it relates to stormwater run-off, recycling, and energy efficiency, this program expands the scope to include food disposal.

"We want to test an opportunity and an issue for us," says Tolson of food waste. Tolson adds that not everyone is able to compost food waste, and for those who can’t, this program serves as a sustainable means of disposal. "Clean Kitchen" is in line with the Greenworks goal of diverting up to 70 percent of city materials from landfills.

The press demonstration, which was held at Special T’s Events in West Oak Lane, featured an InSinkErator and plenty of chicken wings and vegetables for dignitaries, guests, and members of the media to hurl down the sink. Speakers, including Mayor Nutter, Senator Evans, and InSinkErator’s Ryder all got to dispose of their food in the sink. Attendees seemed impressed by the sink disposal, even if it was a little louder than a trash can.

Source: Clarena I.W. Tolson, Philadelphia Streets Department
Writer: Andy Sharpe