Not that we want to distract you from playing PHL2035: The Game! (go register if you haven’t already!), but we wanted to give you an update on our implementation efforts for the Lower Northeast District Plan.
As you know, the Planning Department is hard at work on the District Plans. We’ve already completed three (West Park, Lower South, Lower Northeast) and have two more in progress (Central, University/Southwest). That leaves 13 more! However, we aren’t ones to rest on our laurels. Along with our partners in government and the development community, we are busy implementing Philadelphia2035. In the Lower Northeast District Plan, we focused on the Frankford Gateway. The southeastern-most portion of Frankford contains centuries of architectural history, the Frankford Creek, and the most exciting thing to happen to Frankford in a long time—the dynamic reuse of the Globe Dye Works buildings into a community of small business owners, artists, and craftsmen who are once again making things in Frankford.
First Steps taken towards Frankford Creek Greenway
The Frankford Gateway Focus Area seeks to build upon the success of Globe Dye Works by revitalizing more of Frankford’s industrial buildings, developing live/work housing, and completing the Frankford Creek Greenway. The Planning Department, along with our partners at Parks and Recreation, has hired a consultant to perform a feasibility study for the greenway. This important first step will be completed by the end of 2013. Getting the greenway built will be no easy feat. However, we are in it for the long run and this is an important first step. Stay tuned for progress updates throughout the year.
This effort is the first step towards implementation of recommendations LNE 29 and LNE 30.
Rendering of the Frankford Creek Greenway (image credit TTF Watershed Partnership)
Frankford Kinetic Design Named ArtPlace Finalist!
In order to implement our vision for an improved public realm in Frankford, we have applied for an ArtPlace grant. ArtPlace works to accelerate creative placemaking by awarding grants and loans to efforts that drive vibrancy and diversity. The Frankford Kinetic Design was named one of 104 finalists out of 1,225 applications. The idea behind this grant application came from the vision for Church Street that we developed for the Lower Northeast District Plan. Wish us luck as we prepare our final application!
This effort helps to implement recommendation LNE 44.
FKD: Frankford Kinetic Design
Planning and Historical Commission Developing a Preservation Strategy
As an addendum to the district plan, the Planning Department and the Philadelphia Historical Commission are developing a Historic Preservation Strategy for the Lower Northeast that prioritizes historic resources for the three Thematic Historic Districts proposed in the district plan. These districts—Frankford Industrial Village, Rural Oxford Township, and Lower Northeast Suburban Development—roughly correspond with major eras of development in the Lower Northeast. Look for this report in the coming months.
This effort helps to implement recommendation LNE 38.