sustainability : Development News

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) opened a new door for residents of Mantua last week with the opening of the Mantua Square public housing complex at 35th and Fairmount. Mantua Square is a much more modern, sustainable, and neighborhood-appropriate successor to the previous 18-story public housing tower that stood at the site. It didn’t take long for the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (PAHRA) to take notice, as they gave the PHA a “best practices” award for the development.

Michael Johns, the general manager of community design and development for PHA, describes why PAHRA appreciated Mantua Square so much. They liked that the “new facility fits into the overall character of the neighborhood,” says Johns. Johns adds that the award also reflects how the housing enhances the aesthetic of the area. The Authority is not surprised at these blandishments, as one of their main goals was to build public housing that jives well with the surrounding community. According to Johns, designers analyzed the existing brick pattern in Mantua, and drew up plans for the Square with that in mind.

Mantua Square also features some cutting edge sustainability features that are not seen in many other Philadelphia public housing developments. One of the most intriguing features is that the building has the capability to return unused electricity back into the grid. Photovoltaic solar panels capable of producing 200 megawatts of power annually are mounted on the roof. Finally, Johns says that environmentally sensitive stormwater management practices are being used.

Residents of Mantua Square can also exhale, as the Housing Authority has taken steps to make the complex safer. Johns describes the PHA’s strategy as “crime prevention through environmental design.” Some examples of this include where the PHA placed the doors on the units, more radiant lighting, and the large courtyard in the middle of the complex. Also, he points out that windows are placed on the sides, which enables self-policing for residents. This stands in stark contrast to the old high-rise public housing that sometimes proved a breeding ground for crime.

The PHA is hoping that they can learn some things about conserving energy from this new development. They are also collaborating with Drexel in an effort to examine how they can save money on electricity. Among the practices they’re considering implementing in other complexes is using solar energy. The Authority is hoping Mantua Square and their work with Drexel will serve as a guide for future solar energy collection.

Michael Johns and many others at the Philadelphia Housing Authority are hoping they can set a new precedent in neighborhood relations with Mantua Square. “We are showing the communities of Belmont and Mantua that government and the Philadelphia Housing Authority care,” says Johns. The statewide association of housing authorities has already recognized this. Now, all we need is for the residents of Mantua Square to take pride in this.  

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

Viridity Energy joined with Mayor Nutter to cut the ribbon on its new Center City office last week, located on the top floor of 10 Penn Center. Viridity is an up-and-coming renewable energy company most notable for working with SEPTA on rail regenerative braking and Jefferson Hospital on wind energy storage. Before the opening of the new office, Viridity was located in Conshohocken, about 14 miles from Center City.

The innovative energy firm is excited to now be located downtown. H.G. Chissell, Viridity’s strategic development director, is convinced that his company made a good decision in moving. He points out that employees, clients, and partners can get to and from New York and Washington D.C. much more quickly and easily from Center City. This improves the lines of communication between Viridity and its growing list of clients and partners. Along with this, Chissell says that many talented, skilled people are attracted to companies with a downtown address.

Another impetus to Viridity’s move is its expansion. "We needed more space because we expanded so quickly," says Chissell. The firm now employs forty people, and continues to make headlines. Chissell is especially eager to point out his company’s increased program development and network operations space at the new location. The office also offers ample conference, cubicle, and technology room.

"The management of the building has a commitment to sustainability in line with ours," praises Chissell. As a matter of fact, the high-rise was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold status. Below LEED Platinum, LEED Gold is the second highest sustainability designation. Some of the strategic development director’s favorite sustainable features of the skyscraper include its abundance of recycled content and outside air flow.

Some of the most notable clients include Drexel University, SEPTA, Jefferson Hospital, Con-Ed Electricity, and the U.S. Army’s Fort Meade. When Chissell mentioned ease and speed of traveling to New York and Washington, he may have been thinking about Con-Ed, which is New York City’s energy provider, and Fort Meade, which is located in the Baltimore-Washington area.

Chissell summarizes Viridity’s mission as a company that strives to make its clients and partners more aware of the electricity they use. "Viridity is taking consumers and turning them into prosumers," sums up Chissell. "Prosumers" are professional consumers who are knowledgeable about the production of the energy they utilize. As electricity continues to become more in demand, and Viridity continues its growth pattern, expect to see many more prosumers. 

Source: H.G. Chissell, Viridity Energy
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund (FPSF) will be the recipient of $1 million in Philadelphia Parks and Recreation funds to construct Paine’s Skatepark along the Schuylkill River Trail in Center City. This will give skateboarders a space to dot heir thing in Center City for the first time since they were banned from Love Park. Construction is expected to commence in Spring 2012.

Claire Laver, the executive director of FPSF, is committed to seeing skateboarders get a downtown location to practice their sport.

"Philadelphia has long been synonymous with street skating, but since the banning of skateboarding in Love Park, we have been without a centralized hub," laments Laver. "The skateboarding culture in this city hasn’t been the same since."

Laver is referring to then-Mayor John Street’s forbidding of skateboarding at Love Park in 2002.

Paine’s Park is slated to be by far the biggest skatepark in Philadelphia. According to Laver, there are currently skateboarding parks in Frankford, East Kensington, and Southwest Philadelphia, all of which are between 5,000 and 10,000 sq. ft. In contrast, the proposed park will be greater than 50,000 sq. ft., or more than five times as large as each of the existing parks. FPSF hopes that the size of the park will attract internationally acclaimed skateboarding events, including or comparable to the X Games and Maloof Money Cup.

Despite Paine’s primary function as a skatepark, Laver is confident the park will be useful for non-skateboarders as well. She brags that the park will include a panoramic observation deck with views of the Schuylkill River, Center City, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Also, the executive director envisions an amphitheater to support ceremonies for Ben Franklin Parkway events, concerts, and movie nights. Finally, she assures that the park will provide the one million people who use the Schuylkill Trail each year with a place to relax.

As with the recently built Penn Park, Paine’s Park aims to be a model for sustainability. This will include a unique watershed design that will lend itself to environmentally friendly storm- and groundwater control. Despite it being a skatepark, Laver also promises considerable green space. The park will also recycle some materials used in the building of other city projects. Fittingly, this includes "the installation of granite benches removed from Love Park years ago," adds Laver.

The Skatepark Fund makes its case for Paine’s Park from an economic standpoint too. Laver references a 2008 Econsult study, which indicates that Paine’s Park could rake in tens of millions of dollars in direct spending and recreational worth. One reason why this estimate is so high is because of the park’s connectivity to the trail, which means it's an easy walk or bike ride to the art museum, other points in Center City, or University City. Not only will skateboarders be welcomed back into Center City, non-skateboarders will welcome the increased revenue and connectivity.

Source: Claire Laver, Franklin's Paine Skatepark Fund
Writer: Andy Sharpe

These are exciting times for Center City’s 1650 Arch Street, which has just completed some sustainable renovations, and is looking at becoming even more environmentally friendly. After all, what would you expect from a high-rise building that houses the Philadelphia regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

Thanks to the recently completed remodeling, 1650 Arch Street is now Energy Star certified. Some of the renovations that led to this designation include the installation of energy-efficient chillers, which regulate a building’s temperature, humidity and ventilation. Also energy-efficient lights were attached on the inside and outside of the building. Finally, the EPA is financing a high-tech air filtration system that maximizes the amount of fresh air in the high-rise, according to Drew McGowan, the leasing agent with Jones Lang LaSalle, which is responsible for leasing office space at 1650 Arch.

Yet, the building’s owner is not quite satisfied with 1650’s sustainability just yet. The final phase of the sustainability project will commence shortly, giving the tower more energy-efficient elevators. "The new elevators are designed to use less power and will operate faster and more efficiently, so there is less waiting time for building occupants," says McGowan. Once these elevators are installed, Jones Lang LaSalle and the renovation architect are confident the building will be able to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status for 2012. 

Jones Lang LaSalle also blends sustainability with art in the renovations. The remodeled lobby, which acts as a literal and figurative centerpiece for the re-design, features a sculptural landscape of recycled objects across the city of Philadelphia by environmental artist Tom Deininger. “Thematically, the found objects recycled into art represent the refreshed image of 1650 as an iconic piece of modern architecture, as well as the building's sustainability efforts," says McGowan.

Source: Drew McGowan, Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate
Writer: Andy Sharpe

For one week in mid-October, pedestrians and bicyclists on Christian and Catharine Streets in Southwest Center City will be able to breathe a little calmer. This is thanks to the South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA), which will be implementing creative traffic calming techniques as part of their Better Blocks Philly celebration for DesignPhiladelphia.

While it would be a stretch to say all the details have been worked out by now, Katie Winkler, a design coordinator for Better Blocks Philly, was able to give a rough itinerary. In short, the event will raise awareness of safer streetscape and neighborhood design policy and local businesses, aiming to even the playing field between cars, pedestrians, and bicycles. Winkler says raised mid-block crossings will make it easier for pedestrians to cross streets, bump-outs will be constructed at intersections to slow down vehicles, and the installation of new signage will make sure motorists are aware to share the road.

Winkler is also aiming to beautify Southwest Center City. “We will be having trees generously donated to us from the new Tree Philly Program of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, as well as other planted material from Greensgrow Farms and County Line Nursery,” says Winkler. Additionally, the neighborhood will offer more sidewalk lounge space by crafting a parklet at 17th and Christian Sts -- similar to the recently opened one near Clark Park in West Philadelphia.

Another important component to Better Blocks Philly is the rehabilitation of unused building space. Winkler currently has two or three spaces in mind that she wants to turn into short-term cafes or shops. As well, a coalition of 30 craftspeople and thinkers called PhillyWorks plans to set up an open studio and/or think-tank space. Also, a group called Cartographilly might set up a space to showcase its Philadelphia mapping project.

Inspiration for Better Blocks Philly comes from a variety of different places. According to Winkler, Philadelphia Park(ing) Day, where parking spots across the city sprouted into one-day parks, was a weighty inspiration. Also, inspiration was gleaned from other U.S. cities including Seattle, Portland, and especially Dallas. Believe it or not, the Texas bastion was where the national Better Block movement originated. SOSNA is acting as the "project head," while Wallace, Roberts, & Todd is the "lead design coordinator" and Brown and Keener Urban Design is the "lead event programming and sponsorship coordinator."

Source: Katie Winkler
Writer: Andy Sharpe

The Philadelphia-based music label Data Garden will be launching their idiosyncratic brand of music and visual art in a most unusual location for DesignPhiladelphia. This unveiling will take place at Bartram’s Garden, in what is being called "The Switched-On Garden."

Data Garden is the progeny of local musicians Joe Patitucci and Alex Tyson, and web designer Ian Cross. Within Data Garden are a number of musicians and visual artists, with names like Tadoma, Ray, and the Prisms, Cheap Dinosaurs, Cosmic Morning, and DJ Ryan Todd.

Because of the diversity and eclectic nature of Data Garden’s artists, it’s next to impossible to pigeonhole them into any particular genre of music or artwork, says Patitucci. "For instance, Cheap Dinosaurs uses Game Boys and 8-bit sounds, but there’s so much more to their music than what you would normally see classified as 'chiptune' or 'chip' music," elaborated Patitucci.

Yet, the true news of Data Garden’s release will be the convergence of music, nature, and sculpture. To set themselves apart from other labels, Data Garden will highlight their "Switched-On Garden" with "bio-interactive sound sculpture where people can interact with plants and each other to make music," said Patitucci.

To be sure, respect for nature will be high on the agenda for "The Switched-On Garden." To demonstrate this, Patitucci, Tyson, and Cross will be printing download cards on seed paper with water-based ink. This way, attendees can recycle the cards, which will eventually be planted at the garden, after they've downloaded Data Garden's offerings. 

Data Garden is certainly confident that they chose Bartram’s Garden. Tyson explains that the event will specifically highlight many of the garden’s natural gems, including its native plant species, meadow, pond, and trail that runs up to and along the Schuylkill River. Patitucci doesn't hesitate to add that there’s an area on a hill that acts as a "natural amphitheater." He suggests guests bring a blanket and relax on the hill.

The trio also didn’t give a second thought to releasing their album as part of DesignPhiladelphia. "Like Data Garden, DesignPhiladelphia is about finding the unexpected, combining disparate forms of design into an experience that can inspire people to create art themselves," says Cross.

The "Switched-On Garden" will unfold on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 3-8 p.m. at Bartram’s Garden. Admission is free, and the event is wheelchair accessible.

Sources: Joe Patitucci, Ian Cross, and Alex Tyson
Writer: Andy Sharpe

The Center City District's work on three Center City parks have drawn an IDA Merit Award from the International Downtown Association, a global advocacy group for livable urban centers.

With the help of more than a dozen city and state agencies, foundations and neighborhood groups, CCD made $4.57 million in improvements at Aviator Park and Three Parkway Plaza/Cafe Cret along the Ben Franklin Parkway and Chestnut Park at 17th and Chestnut St.

Aviator Park's new design created a "town green" for gatherings of all sizes. Three Parkway Plaza's renovations included paving, a granite seating wall, benches, plantings of trees and seasonal flowers, pedestrian-scale lights and a 1,200 square foot cafe and information center. Chestnut Park's original gates and concrete tiered fountain were conserved and landscaping was improved.

The award was presented at IDA's annual conference in Charlotte, NC last week.

Source: Linda Harris, Center City District
Writer: Joe Petrucci

SMP Architects helped transform a parking spot on the 1600 block of Walnut St into a coffee garden, just one of over 30 parking spots in Philadelphia transformed into parks for the fourth annual Park(ing) Day. Indeed, the aroma of coffee penetrated the air around 16th and Walnut, all to generate awareness of the perceived negative impact of cars on a city.

SMP certainly demonstrated its commitment to Park(ing) Day, as they had their display percolating from 8:30 a.m. until at least 3:30 p.m., says architect Scott Ritchie. To be sure, the coffee theme was a unique one on this day. “Ground is essential to a city, so we collected coffee grounds from local shops,” said Ritchie, who was eager to explain his firm’s eclectic choice. All told, the spot contained scores of cups filled with coffee grounds from area coffee shops.

Ritchie explained that his firm pounced at the chance to participate in Park(ing) Day because of its history of sustainable design. “We want to be a part of the dialogue that makes the city greener,” says Ritchie. When asked about the primary benefits of the day, the architect mentioned discussion about pedestrian conditions, as well as the effect of autos on a city.

By far, most of the one-day parks were located in Center City, although University City, Mount Airy, Manayunk, and North Philadelphia all had participating spots. Organizations that came out for the day included city and regional planning agencies, other city government bodies, architecture and design firms, alternative transportation advocacy groups, and community development corporations.

Park(ing) Day began in San Francisco back in 2005, the brainchild of an art and design firm called Rebar. It has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, with events in 183 cities spanning six continents. In the U.S., cities that saw parks temporarily sprout up included Memphis, New Orleans, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City.

Of course, there was no tally of how many angry drivers inched by the newly formed parks. At the 1600 Walnut St. park, Ritchie saw a few miffed motorists. However, putting it in perspective, Ritchie says it was a negligible impact for one day -- a day set aside for those not driving in downtown areas. 

Source: Scott Ritchie, SMP Architects
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Philadelphia’s Zoning Code Commission unveiled a new timeline that they hope will lead to a modernized zoning code during a six-hour public hearing in front of City Council. The public certainly got to weigh in, as 40 different people signed up to testify, split into thirteen panels of three or more people at a time.

The barrage of public comment not withstanding, the Zoning Code Commission (ZCC) announced its strong desire to pass a new zoning code in City Council by the end of the year. Perhaps no one is more eager to see a new zoning code before the year’s end than Eva Gladstein, the Executive Director of the ZCC. Gladstein is cautiously optimistic about the odds of success. "A number of members of City Council expressed their interest in passing a new zoning code before the end of the year, and we believe that while the timeline is tight, it is achievable," says Gladstein.

From the look and sound of the hearing, City Council members and public testifiers -- including community group leaders, developers, and environmentalists -- support most parts of the zoning code update. However, there are a few sticking points among City Council and the public that might impede the ZCC deadline.

Councilman Bill Green, who many believe may run for mayor some time in the next decade, has raised many of the questions and concerns on City Council. He clarified his concerns by releasing a set of 10 amendments that he feels are necessary for the proposed zoning code re-write. At the hearing, Green complained that his office had not received a revisable copy of the zoning code proposal. Both Gladstein and Alan Greenberger, Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and a member of the ZCC, claimed they did send the document. 

One of Green’s concerns is that the proposed zoning code does not adequately restrict potentially harmful industry from going into residential neighborhoods. Some of the community groups present seemed to agree with this, as well as other aspects of Green’s amendments. Another complaint, voiced by the East Falls Community Council, was that there was insufficient, albeit improved, participation from community groups in the re-write.

With this in mind, the politicians and the public seemed ready to proceed with an improved zoning code. Speaker after speaker seemed to delight in commending the ZCC for its hard work in drafting sorely needed zoning reform. Even hesitant City Council members, like Green and Brian O’Neill, acknowledged that the zoning code needed to be modernized. Thus, it's not if, but when the zoning code reform will pass. Many hope it will be by year’s end, but that’s not a guarantee.

Source: Eva Gladstein, Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Last week, the University of Pennsylvania made an effort to bridge the gap between itself and Center City by opening a newly-constructed 24-acre park. Penn Park, which combines a former postal service parking lot with university property, is bounded by Walnut and South Sts. to the north and south, and rail tracks to the east and west.

One of Penn Park’s most notable qualities is the opportunities it provides for pedestrian connection to Center City. According to Anne Papageorge, Penn’s Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services, the park is "knit together" by three pedestrian bridges. One bridge connects the park with Walnut St. just past the Schuylkill River, while another bridge enables pedestrians going to or coming from downtown to access the park from the South St. bridge.

Another of Penn Park’s accomplishments is that it transformed a parking lot into something sustainable. Papageorge was proud to list some of the park’s environmentally friendly components, including "cisterns, energy efficient lighting, and native plants." What this means is that 548 local trees were planted in the park, all of which can be irrigated using recycled rainwater from cisterns. Also, energy-efficient lighting should save the park 300,000 watts of energy per hour. 

Penn Park is expected to become a pivotal part of Penn’s athletic system. The park is graced by three multipurpose NCAA-worthy fields, including one that seats 470 spectators, as well as 12 tennis courts, which can accommodate another 200 sports fans. Steve Bilsky, Director of Athletics at the university, believes the park is a leap forward for athletics. "Because it's a park, more and more people will visit the athletic facilities," says Bilsky. He adds that it will be a worthwhile, albeit contemporary, addition to the famed Palestra and Franklin Field.

The park cost $46.5 million, paid for by the university and donors, and created 233 local jobs. Penn celebrated the park’s opening last Thursday by offering everyone a free picnic with hotdogs and soda and setting off fireworks at dusk. Onlookers on the Walnut St. bridge were treated to an up-close showing of the fireworks, which were set off from a parking lot below. In keeping with the theme of connecting with Center City, the fireworks were also clearly visible from the Schuylkill River Trail.
  
Source: Anne Papageorge, University of Pennsylvania
Writer: Andy Sharpe

If you ride SEPTA buses or trolleys, you have likely experienced what it feels like to be stopped at a red light block after block after block. The great news for you is that Philadelphia and SEPTA are working together to help alleviate your headache. In as little as 18 months, three select SEPTA bus or trolley routes within the city will be able to move a little faster, thanks to the planned re-timing of traffic lights to prioritize SEPTA vehicles.

Andrew Stober, chief of staff for the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU), explained just what traffic signal prioritization means. For instance, if a light cycle for a given intersection with no participating SEPTA routes passing through is 60 seconds, each direction would get 30 seconds of green. However, the city and SEPTA plan to utilize transponders atop buses and trolleys to alter traffic light timing so that a street’s lights will remain green for 40 seconds when a mass transit vehicle approaches.  

Currently MOTU is working with SEPTA to determine which bus or trolley routes are most deserving of traffic light prioritization. According to Stober, the five routes being debated for light re-timing are the routes 6, 52, and 60 buses, the route 13 trolley, and the route 66 trackless trolley. Stober described some criteria for the choice of routes. “All run along a single arterial with a lot of traffic signals,” he said. It is important to note that the prioritization will occur along the entirety of the three routes chosen, not just parts of them.

Interestingly, none of these routes go through Center City, which is not an accident. Stober justified these routes because they feed the Broad Street or Market-Frankford lines, which can subsequently be used to get downtown. With that in mind, the routes seem to represent many other parts of the city, including Southwest, West, North, Northeast, and Northwest Philadelphia.

Stober glorifies the transit prioritization by pointing out the many perceived benefits. The prioritization will "improve flow on capacity-constrained streets," boasted Stober. "The improvements will help increase transit modeshare." Not leaving out non-transit drivers, he added that other vehicles traveling in the same direction as the chosen buses or trolleys will also benefit from the lengthened green light.

This is all made possible by a $3.5 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA). The city and SEPTA expect the transit preference to begin in 18 months to two years. This is just the latest collaboration between the transit agency and the city it serve to speed up transit vehicles. It comes on the heels of the removal of half the stops for the route 47 bus between Market Street and its South Philadelphia endpoint.

Source: Andrew Stober, Philadelphia Mayor's Office on Transportation and Utilities
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is the second busiest train station in the country, but you wouldn't know it by the sparse pedestrian traffic on adjacent Market Street, a spot surrounded by two historic buildings and within 1,200 feet of more than 16,000 jobs. While a steady stream of cars zip in and around 30th Street Station, there is little to recommend hoofing it anywhere but to a friend's idling car.

That is poised to change with the transformation of the station’s outer parking lane along Market Street into a 40-foot wide sidewalk. The project, expected to be completed by Labor Day and a collaboration of Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, the Planning Commission, the Streets Department, Amtrak, Brandywine Realty Trust, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, and a host of University City institutions, is part of a broader PennDot initiative.

The University City District also sees this project as a foundation for the creation of an inviting and animated public space, one that would provide amenities like abundant and comfortable seating, sun and shade, and trees and plantings. In the spirit of public placemaking, UCD is holding a contest to name Philadelphia’s newest public space. The winner gets a $500 gift certificate to Amtrak and pretty rare bragging rights.

To enter, submit your suggested name, reasons for choosing it (up to 150 words), your name, phone number and email to [email protected] by midnight on Sept. 30. A winner will be chosen by a 10-person jury that has yet to be selected. Winner will be announced on or around Oct. 19.

If you’re looking for hints – UCD's work on this space will be informed largely by the Project for Public Spaces’ "lighter, quicker, cheaper" placemaking interventions. According to a news release issued by UCD, a future phase of development that would include food kiosks, plantings and a permanent buffer from Market Street is likely. First, however, movable tables and chairs and seasonal plantings will set the stage. Also envisioned are activities that will draw people to the space, like yoga classes or music performances.

Source: Lori Klein Brennan, University City District
Writer: Joe Petrucci

The design firm Bryan Hanes Studio has begun to embark on a study that could make a long-supported but perpetually stalled Philadelphia project move forward. This study is examining how to design a park on the abandoned railroad tracks up high on the Reading Viaduct in the city's Callowhill neighborhood.

Specifically, the design study concerns the SEPTA-owned portion of the tracks. This is actually just a spur of the viaduct, as the rest is owned by the Reading Company, which has left the rail business and now dabbles in film in California.

The group that has perhaps been the most vocal in support of developing a park is the Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement District (CRVNID), which is effusive in its praise of a park. "A park would make the neighborhood more livable," points out John Struble, a cofounder of the Reading Viaduct project with CRVNID. "There is no green space and no park in our neighborhood, (so with this) people can enjoy the outdoors."

This design study is the second phase of examination for the proposed Reading Viaduct park. A year ago, an environmental impact study gave a favorable review to the idea of a park. According to Struble, the design study, which is financed by the William Penn Foundation, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Struble, who calls himself a "neighborhood advocate" eagerly pinpoints other cities like New York (the High Line in Manhattan's Lower West Side) that have succeeded with similar parks. "This caught on in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Atlanta."

The one shortfall of the Reading Viaduct park proposal is that funding sources have not currently been confirmed. Struble did make sure to add that Poor Richards Charitable Trust might provide some capital. Despite the financial question mark, it looks like Philadelphians might be looking up in the sky for their newest park.

Source: John Struble, CRVNID
Writer: Andy Sharpe

In a few weeks, PECO and the art technology outlet Breadboard will once again collaborate to brighten the Center City skyline. This year, PECO will showcase up to three works of visual artistry each Friday from September through December as scrolling artwork atop its building, says Ben Armstrong, Senior Communications Specialist at PECO. This is known as "Art in the Air," and this is the second year it's been done.

What is even more exciting is that PECO and Breadboard have upped the ante this year by putting in a cash incentive for visual artists. In addition to having their message displayed on PECO's building, artists will now be competing to win $1,000 for the "best in show" message, says Armstrong. The winning artist will also have their display featured for a prolonged period in January. Submissions for September are due by Aug. 23 (more submission info here).

PECO and Breadboard are looking to build off of their success last year with "Art in the Air." Last year's visual feast began on July 4 to commemorate the 34-year anniversary of PECO's scrolling messages, the one-year anniversary of PECO's adoption of LED lights, and Independence Day. From then on, the display ran on Fridays through out the year, ultimately featuring "over twenty local artists," said Armstrong.

PECO's LED lights enable the electricity provider to provide this visual art show. "The old lights limited us to 72 characters; letters, numbers, and spaces," said PECO's Communications Specialist. "LED lights let us use full animation and colors." Indeed, the PECO building has become quite colorful and animated in the two years since it switched to LED lights.

PECO has provided the top of its building at 23rd and Market Streets as a place for local non-profits and community groups to spread their message since 1976. Along with that, PECO also uses its scrolling marquee to provide energy-saving tips for customers and tourists alike.  

Source: Ben Armstrong, PECO
Writer: Andy Sharpe

Despite the poor economic climate for development, Radnor-based Brandywine Realty Trust continues to exceed profit forecasts. This has been evidenced through out 2011, and has been true in the Delaware Valley and across the country. In fact, Brandywine has been able to execute almost 2.5 million square feet of leases through June of this year. As a result, "all operating and financial metrics equaled or exceeded our business plan targets," says Gerard Sweeney, President and CEO of Brandywine.

One major reason for Brandywine Realty's success in attaining leases can be found in Center City. This is where the realty titan inked a long-term lease with Janney Montgomery Scott at Three Logan Square, located on the 1700 block of Arch St. Brandywine "executed a 146,321 square foot, 15-year lease with Janney Montgomery Scott LLC at Three Logan Square," says Sweeney.

While Brandywine expanded its leased space in Center City, it also sold unloaded property in South Jersey. "During the second quarter of 2011, we completed the sale of Three Greentree Center, a 13.9-percent occupied 69,300 square foot office building in Marlton, NJ," says the CEO. The company was able to use considerable profits made on this sale to reduce their credit balance.

Brandywine Realty Trust is one of the largest comprehensive real estate companies in the country. It has properties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, California, and elsewhere. They are well known for sustainable building practices, as many of their buildings nationwide are either LEED or Energy Star certified.

Brandywine's success shows that developers can still meet profit forecasts, even with the present economic uncertainty. Judging from Brandywine, sustainability seems to be one key to succeeding in leased properties. Another key seems to be the ability to know when to sell unprofitable properties.

Source: Gerard Sweeney, Brandywine Realty Trust
Writer: Andy Sharpe