Next Great City: Philadelphia - Volume III, Issue XI

PARKS & REC COMMISSIONERS NOW UP TO MAYOR

On Thursday, June 4 City Council reported its list of 25 recommended candidates to serve on the Commission on Parks and Recreation to Mayor Nutter via Resolution. The nominees were chosen from over 200 highly qualified applicants.  From City Council's nominees, the Mayor will appoint nine people to serve on the new Commission.  They will assume their duties by July 1, 2009.

PLASTIC BAG BAN MOVES FORWARD

Although legislation introducing a plastic bag fee was unable to move through Council due to concerns about its affects on low-income shoppers, it appears that a complete ban on plastic bags may become law in its place. On June 10, Council's Committee on the Environment voted unanimously to endorse a ban on plastic bags starting in 2011. The full Council is expected to vote on the ban next week. 

PEW GREEN JOBS REPORTS RANKS PA #3

Pennsylvania ranks third in clean-energy jobs nationwide with 38,763 of them in 2007, according to The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investment report issued by the Pew Charitable Trusts.  The study also found that job growth in green industries outpaced the national average by over 200%. 

USF LOOKS AT GREENWORKS

After much anticipation, the Mayor's Office of Sustainability released Greenworks Philadelphia, the city's first comprehensive sustainability plan in April. On June 18 the Urban Sustainability Forum will take an in depth look at the framework, which includes five goals, 15 targets and over 100 initiatives all recommended to reach the goal of making Philadelphia the greenest city in the country. Local experts will delve into the initiatives, how they will be implemented, and what role the public can play in achieving common goals.

Dr. Mark Alan Hughes, the city's first Director of Sustainability, will be the keynote speaker on what will be his last day with the Nutter administration.

This event is free and open to the public.  Registration is requested.

DELAWARE RIVER UPDATE- OVERLAY & PIER 11

Next Great City is very pleased to see that the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware is continuing to move forward.  The interim zoning overlay ordinance that we advocated for is now out of Committee and is only a short step away from becoming law.  NGC would like to thank Councilman DiCicco and his staff for all their hard work on this legislation.  We believe that the ordinance is an excellent first step towards establishing the publicly accessible riverfront greenways that Philadelphia needs.  

Another exciting step towards advancing and improving public access along our riverfronts will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. when the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) Planning Committee will host a public presentation featuring the design consultant finalists recruited to prepare an urban design plan for Pier 11.  DRWC seeks to convert Pier 11 into the first new public space on the waterfront under its revised mandate to create and maintain a vibrant public realm along seven miles of the central Delaware River.

SEPTA YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD

Applications are now being accepted for SEPTA's Youth Advisory Council.  Composed of young riders from Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties, the Youth Advisory Council will be SEPTA's primary outreach group to riders ages 14 to 22.  The Youth Advisory Council will advocate student needs to SEPTA leadership, and provide outreach to the region's youth about SEPTA services and special events.

To be considered, candidates should send a resume and a letter of interest, describing why their appointment would be beneficial to the SEPTA Youth Advisory Council, to YouthAdvisoryCouncil@septa.org.  Call (215) 580-7478 for more information. Application deadline is July 15, 2009.

NEWS

• Scientists hail the bus as the greenest way to go, but they have clearly forgotten about two even greener alternatives that get a lot of use in Philly and have a need to be recognized, travel on two feet and two wheels
• A report from the Pew Charitable Trusts identified Pennsylvania as a leading state in the green jobs sector.  We have the solar industry partially to thank for that, so we welcome the industry to Philly for this year's PV America Photo Voltaic Conference
• PlanPhilly looks at what a post-Hughes Sustainability Office may look like
• The city struggles to balance the budget, but fails to collect millions of dollars in fines it is owed
• Our two riverfronts are both making progress in their quest for greatness with the Schuylkill River Park adding two sections and Council moving forward legislation to enable public access along the Delaware
• Mill Creek, a small urban farm, helps put food on the table for those who are struggling
• Water Department pilot program greens schools to help reduce stormwater flooding problems

EVENTS 

• Saturday, June 13 9:30- 11:30 a.m.- Food Trust Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at Headhouse Shambles at 2nd & Lombard St. 
• Tuesday, June 16 12:00- 1:00 p.m.- Social Capital: What it is and Why it Matters for Creating an Age-Friendly Philadelphia at the United Way at 7 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
• Tuesday, June 16 6:00- 8:30 p.m.- End of the Line: Imagine a World Without Fish Film Screening at the Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
• Wednesday, June 17 6:00- 8:30 p.m.- Pier 11 Design RFP Finalists Public Presentation at Festival Pier at Columbus Blvd & Spring Garden St.
• Thursday, June 18 6:00- 8:30 p.m.- Urban Sustainability Forum: Philadelphia's Sustainability Framework, Filling in the Picture at the Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
• Saturday, June 20 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Weird Waste Collection in Northern Liberties at the Northern Liberties Community Center at 700 N. 3rd St.
• Tuesday, June 23 5:30- 8:00 p.m. Visit PECO's Green Roof at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at 20th & Arch St.