Bartram Choice Transformation Plan Draft by wrtdesign14

Connect, Live, Thrive

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Bartram Village is a special place to live at every age â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with beautiful spaces that bring people together, creating a sense of community, strength, and inspiration.

DRAFT 10.02.19 Blossom at Bartram | 1

OUR SINCERE THANKS TO

Key Partners

the Bartram Village Residents + our Partners U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

City of Philadelphia Office of Managing Director - REBUILD

Bartram Village Resident Council

City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment & Opportunity

City of Philadelphia

Pennrose Development

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) PIDC

WRT, LLC

Partner Organizations

African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA)

City of Philadelphia Office of the Mayor City of Philadelphia Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation City of Philadelphia Planning Commission City of Philadelphia Police Department - 12th District and 18th District City of Philadelphia Water Department City Lights Network

Bartram’s Garden

The Common Place

Catholic Social Services

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell

City of Philadelphia Streets Department

Drexel University Lindy Center for Civic Engagement

City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce City of Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development | 2

City of Philadelphia Department of Housing and Community Development

Ezekiel Baptist Church Grace Christian Fellowship Family Practice & Counseling Network

Jobcorps

Steering Committee

John Bartram High School

[Complete list of names - in final plan.]

Kingsessing Rec Center & Library Mural Arts Philadelphia

Neighborhood Ambassadors

Myers Rec Center

Sheila Anthony

Philadelphia Housing Authority Resident Advisory Board

Tracey Gordon Tonya Robinson

Philadelphia Promise Zone/Promise Neighborhood Community Advisory Council

Luciana Boone

Dionna Roundtree

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Doreen Waller

Philadelphia Works

Kimberly Waller

Representative Joanna E. McClinton Rhythm & Brunch

Housing Task Force

[Complete list of names to be included in final plan.]

School District of Philadelphia

Paschalville Library

Schuylkill River Development Corporation SEPTA

Southwest CDC

Southwest District Services

Neighborhood Task Force [Complete list of names to be included in final plan.]

Southwest Nu-Stop

State Senator Anthony H. Williams

Tilden Middle School

University of Pennsylvania Office of Government and Community Affairs

People Task Force [Complete list of names to be included in final plan.]

University of Pennsylvania PennPraxis

Action Activities Committee

the Village | Hope in Action for Children and Families

[Complete list of names to be included in final plan.]

[This list is incomplete and constantly growing.]

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University of the Sciences

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Terms and abbreviations 9% Credits – The 9% credit is a competitive tax credit allocation for construction of affordable rental housing. It typically covers most of the cost of new construction. Tax credit units have set rents and prospective tenants must meet income limit requirements.

City – City of Philadelphia.

Critical Community Improvements (CCI) – Community and economic development activities to enhance the neighborhood outcomes proposed in the Transformation Plan. They are physical community and economic development projects that enhance and accelerate the transformation of the neighborhood and the target housing being redeveloped.

4% Credits – The 4% credit is not competitive, and does not cover the total cost of new construction. As a result it is typically claimed for rehabilitated affordable housing and new construction affordable units that are financed with tax-exempt bonds or other subsidies.

resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.

Action Activities – Non-housing related physical improvements to neighborhood that will be implemented in the near term.

Affordable Housing – Housing deemed affordable to alleviate families’ burden of paying more than 30% of household income on housing related costs. AMI – Area Median Income. In Philadelphia, the Area Median Income for a family of 4 in 2017 was $68,572.

Anchor Institutions – Anchor institutions have regional significance and are permanently rooted, economic and cultural drivers in specific locales – generating jobs, creating local business opportunities, and contributing in significant ways to the development of human, social and cultural capital.

CDBG – Community Development Block Grant; a HUD program that provides communities with

CN – Choice Neighborhoods. CNI – Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. Early Action Activities – Non-housing related physical improvements to neighborhood that are completed during the 2 year planning process. Also known as “doing while planning.” Evidence-based Practice – Refers to the use of the best available conclusions/findings from research and studies as a base for determining the best practices and predictions of outcomes in a field. Extremely Low Income – Household income under 30% of AMI. FEMA 100-Year Floodplain – Area that has a 1-percent chance of flooding in any given year as delineated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FQHC – Federally Qualified Health Center. FQHC is a reimbursement designation from the Bureau of Primary Health Care and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the US Department of Health and Human Services. FMR – Fair market rent.

PBV – Project Based Voucher units are part of the Housing Choice Voucher program, also known as Section 8. PBVs are tied to a unit. Tenant-Based Vouchers are portable. Tenant pays 30% of income for rent. Voucher makes up the difference up to FMR.

HUD – US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

QAP – Qualified Allocation Plan. Describes the process for allocation of LIHTC.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (a green building and neighborhood certification program).

Renewable Energy/Low Impact Design – Energy from natural resources such as sunlight and geothermal heat that is naturally replenished.

Low Income – Household income between 30% and 60% of AMI.

Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) – A HUD program that allows PHAs to convert public housing to project-based section 8 housing.

HCV – Housing Choice Voucher. Commonly known as a Section 8 voucher. Recipient can take this voucher to any accepting landlord.

Rent is 30% of income. All existing units at Bartram Village are public housing units.

LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credits (Funding for Tax Credit Housing). Privately financed, developed, managed and owned units. Tax credits are awarded on a competitive basis by state housing agency (VHDA), often furthering state’s housing policies. Income limits are capped at 60% AMI. Rents are fixed. Market Rate Housing – Housing units unrestricted by income.

Non-Replacement Housing – New housing proposed within the Choice Plan not tied to Bartram Village.

Part I Violent Crimes – Aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery are classified as Part I Violent Crimes. PHA – Philadelphia Housing Authority.

PIDC – Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp.

TDC – Total development costs. Transformation Plan – The Transformation Plan is a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy proposed (as presented in the Choice Neighborhoods grant application) to achieve the three core goals of Choice Neighborhoods (Housing, People, Neighborhood). The Transformation Plan is a living document that is expected to change over time. HUD’s approval will be required for revisions to the Transformation Plan. Workforce Housing – Rental or homeownership housing targeting families who make 80% - 120% of AMI.

Public Housing – Established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

School Readiness – Refers to a set of expectations, guidelines or developmental milestones that describe what all children need to know before entering kindergarten.

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PHFA – Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

Replacement Housing – Public Housing or PBV housing unit replacement for demolished Bartram Village units.

FAR NORTHEAST

NEAR NORTHEAST

GERMANTOWN / CHESTNUT HILL

NORTH PHILLY

UNIVERSITY CITY

Bartram Village Choice Neighborhood

WEST PHILLY

CENTER CITY

SOUTHWEST PHILLY

SOUTHEAST PHILLY

SOUTH PHILLY

KENSINGTON

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Building Blocks.........................................................................................................................................20

Relevant Plans..........................................................................................................................................46

Resident Profile........................................................................................................................................52

03 Planning Process........................................................................ 64 Meet Our Team.........................................................................................................................................66

01 Executive Summary.................................................................... 08 Summary of Plan Goals........................................................................................................................11 02 About the Neighborhood............................................................ 16 History.............................................................................................................................................................18

How Our Team is Organized...........................................................................................................68

The Process................................................................................................................................................ 70

Neighborhood Leadership Series................................................................................................ 76

04 The Plan.........................................................................................82 Connect.........................................................................................................................................................84 Live.................................................................................................................................................................108

Housing Plan......................................................................................................................................126

Open Space Design Vision....................................................................................................... 132

Contents

Thrive.............................................................................................................................................................166

05 Implementation.......................................................................... 192

Resident Relocation............................................................................................................................ 197

Early Action Activities........................................................................................................................198

Action Activities.....................................................................................................................................199 Blossom at Bartram

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Executive Summary

Bartram Choice has the potential to do something truly special—to map out a plan that traces its roots to the area’s (and nation’s) horticultural history and the restorative power of nature; a vision for action that illustrates the very best intentions of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative and enables residents not just to thrive but to blossom.

aging housing and blighted conditions, and an increase in crime. At the same time, the quality of public schools has dropped and Southwest Philadelphia has become a hotspot for salvage, chop shops, and auto-related uses that detract from its character and overall appearance.

There couldn’t be a more important time to plan for the redevelopment of Bartram Village and revitalization of the Kingsessing neighborhood and Southwest Philadelphia.

Great walkability, a waterfront bike trail, vibrant main streets, public transit, nearby job hubs, a rich history and diverse culture—all elements that make urban living very appealing—can be found in Southwest Philadelphia. In the past several years, the city has attracted new residents, from Millennials to empty nesters, as well as new businesses as more and more people are choosing to live in urban centers. Explosive growth and redevelopment is visible nearby in Center City and University City, as well as Northern Liberties, Kensington, and North Philadelphia. And now interest is beginning to shift to Southwest Philadelphia.

For decades, Southwest Philadelphia has housed lower income working class families that fueled nearby factories. It has also served as an entry point for immigrants settling in the city, in part for its affordability and wide range of housing. These patterns continue although the quality of life has diminished over time in the neighborhood as the shape of industry has changed, incomes have decreased, and educational attainment has fallen. This has coincided with divestment in the area,

But the basic building blocks remain and several recent plans and studies of areas in and around the Bartram Choice neighborhood have paved the way for major investments in the coming years. Perhaps the most significant is the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan, which envisions a new Innovation and Logistics Hub on the land immediately north and south of Bartram Village, bringing with it approximately 3,000 new jobs. A request for proposals is due to be released to developers in the Fall of 2019. The 1.3 million dollar Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning and Action Activity grant awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Philadelphia Housing Authority has brought together residents, neighborhood partners, and local anchor institutions to share ideas and information, and combine strategies that build on these recent planning efforts to ignite meaningful change in Kingsessing and Southwest Philadelphia.

BY THE NUMBERS 260

Bartram village households completed a survey

The Vision

30+

meetings, activities, and special events

The Bartram Choice Neighborhood Plan is anchored by Bartram Village, which was built in 1942 as defense worker housing during World War II and later adapted. It currently houses over 1000 residents, with a median age of just 20. With an unemployment rate of 68% among work-able residents and an average income of $8,876, making ends meet is a constant struggle. While not quite as distressed, residents of the surrounding neighborhood face similar challengesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an unemployment rate of 15% compared to 11% in the city, a median household income of $28,705 versus $40,314 for the city, and a median home value of $79,084 in contrast to $153,502 for the city.

neighborhood ambassadors

500+

Bartram Village residents joined their friends & neighbors at Summer Festival June 2018

neighborhood leadership series participants

The Bartram Choice Neighborhood Plan seeks to raise up the entire neighborhood and strives to focus the recent energy directed toward Southwest Philadelphia on several basic building blocks that form three themes for the plan:

3 PLAN THEMES

Live

Thrive

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Connect

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Connect Create an inviting community that is clean, green, and safe with beautiful, active public spaces. Connect people to these places; to nature and recreation; and to each other.

Live

Southwest Philadelphia has a variety of beautiful green spaces and public places, as well as lively corridors, a variety of services and other amenities. But getting to them is challenging because of street conditions, limited rail crossings, and concerns about safety. Establishing a network of safe connections across the neighborhood to key resources and services will dramatically increase the quality of life in the community.

Create an environment that fosters the health and wellness of all residents of all ages, through healthy and affordable housing, access to medical services and nutritious food, and to spaces that heal the mind and body. Trauma and the fear associated with it undermines the sense of peace that residents deserve to have in a place called home. Over 600 new units of healthy affordable housing will be blended on-site at Bartram Village with gardens and green spaces that extend the beauty of the beloved Bartram’s Gardens next door. The design aims to lessen stress and anxiety with the healing power of nature and by encouraging physical activity and social interaction.

Thrive

Foster access for people of all ages to education, skills, jobs, services, inspiration and encouragement so that they can thrive. Enable the neighborhood to blossom by celebrating its history and strengthening its commercial corridors and identity. Not everyone follows the same path in life. It is important to for there to be multiple avenues to self-sufficiency—from meaningful job opportunities, to college, to entrepreneurship, and homeownership to build wealth. Establishing a local “employment eco-system” will develop the skills of neighborhood residents to perform jobs that stabilize conditions in the community and help residents remain in homes, with a particular focus on construction, green infrastructure, small businesses, and childcare.

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The vision, goals, and strategies for the Bartram Choice Neighborhood Plan were shaped directly by residents of Bartram Village and the broader Choice neighborhood, who served on every task force and committee, and participated in well over 30 public meetings, workshops, focus group discussions, and special events. Together, they have created a plan for a safe, healthy, peaceful, and inviting community with the hope that all who live in and visit will Blossom at Bartram.

Connect Goal 1

Live

Thrive

Goal 1

Promote healthy, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the Bartram Choice neighborhood.

Develop a pathway to educational success from early childhood to high school graduation.

Develop a clean and green network of streets along primary circulation routes that connect major services, amenities, and green spaces to Bartram Village and the waterfront.

Summary of Plan Goals

Goal 2

Goal 3

Create a healthy outdoor environment that promotes healthy activities and social experiences.

Enhance the physical health of residents by expanding access to a wider range of quality health services.

Goal 4

Enhance the existing transportation network through safe street crossings, trail connections, and increased walkability.

Establish an environment that promotes positive mental health and healing.

Provide attractive, affordable housing and a healthy built environment at Bartram Village.

Goal 5 Improve access to nutritious, affordable food.

Nurture a culture of literacy at Bartram Village.

Goal 3 Cultivate a local employment ecosystem that aligns with neighborhood needs and opportunities.

Goal 4 Bridge the basic skills divide.

Goal 5 Strengthen the identity and vibrancy of the neighborhood.

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Foster a safe neighborhood day and night for residents of all ages.

Goal 2

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The Vision

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Getting Started: Early Action Activities

There is no need to wait to make a change. To keep the momentum and excitement going, the planning team is embarking on the following early action activities that address some of the needs identified by the community during the planning process:

++ C leaning and greening the median on Lindbergh Avenue, and the vacant lot at 56th Street, Elmwood Avenue and Lindbergh Avenue

++ L aunching a demonstration program that transforms vacant PHA properties into affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income neighborhood residents in partnership with Southwest CDC, ACANA, and Southwest Philadelphia District Services ++ H osting an annual Career Fair at Bartram High School

++ C reating a Community Facebook page that serves as a directory of neighborhood services, educational resources, youth activities, job training programs, and recreational opportunities

++ D eveloping a shared community kitchen on-site at Bartram Village to incubate start-up businesses and provide nutritional programming

++ I nstalling additional trash and recycling bins along Lindbergh Avenue in front of Bartram Village ++ H olding a neighborhood clean-up of Deritis Playground

Action Activities Bartram Choice is fortunate to be one of three 2018 grantees to receive additional funding from HUD for Action Activities. These projects will be completed in the neighborhood immediately following the completion of the Transformation Plan in February 2020. A committee has been formed to review recommendations of potential activities from the Task Forces, however, a list of preferred projects has not yet been developed. See Chapter 5 to learn about some of our initial ideas as well as the selection process.

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Plan Contents The Bartram Choice Neighborhood Plan is broken into several chapters. Here is an overview of each section.

02 About the Neighborhood:

This chapter presents a picture of the current conditions in the neighborhood, including: a brief history, a description of the many assets to build upon, an overview of planned investments, and an understanding of the hurdles to overcome (really, opportunities).

03 The Planning Process:

This chapter explains explains how information and feedback was gathered during the two-year planning process, how the team was organized, and how decisions were made. It also describes all of the engagement activities that took place including the Summer Festival, Walkshop, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground design workshop, and Neighborhood Leadership Series.

Bartram Village youth giving input

04 The Plan:

How to use this document

05 Implementation: Getting from A to B. The last portion of the plan provides a road map outlining the steps to take to implement each strategy. It includes a timeline, a list of partners responsible for coordinating each effort, and metrics to measure progress along the way.

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This plan contains a lot of information but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to read it all to understand what it hopes to achieve. There are several brightly colored pages throughout the document that highlight the most important elements. You can simply read these pages to get a complete overview of the plan.

This chapter is the heart of the document. It describes the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision for the future of the Bartram Choice neighborhood, and describes the goals and strategies designed to realize this vision.

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About the Neighborhood

The Bartram Choice neighborhood is fortunate to have a number of advantages to build upon. These include a well-established transit system connected to major employment hubs. In addition, the neighborhood enjoys several active commercial corridors, churches, schools, health facilities, parks and community facilities, not to mention some very passionate neighbors.

Demographics

While Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy has grown in recent years, the Bartram Choice neighborhood has lagged behind. The median household income of $28,705 is almost 30% less than that of the city and the unemployment rate of 15% is 4% higher than the city. The population is about 76% African-American compared to 42% in the city and it is younger with a median age of 31.2 vs. 34.7, and younger still at Bartram Village with a median age of 20. There is a also a significant immigrant population in the neighborhood.

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Assets & Opportunities

The Bartram Choice neighborhood has all of the ingredients of a vital communityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;busy commercial corridors along a walkable grid that is connected to employment hubs and the larger region by a public transit network. It has varied housing, a rich history, parks, schools, churches, and community recreation centers.

BARTRAM VILLAGE

Challenges & Opportunities

Low rates of literacy and education across the neighborhood make it challenging to overcome low incomes and high rates of unemployment and poverty. Vacant and blighted properties that attract crime add to the stress and trauma impacting the community. Aging neighborhood infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and civic places are also in need of improvement.

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AGING HOUSING STOCK OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENEWAL

About the Neighborhood

BARTRAM VILLAGE

IL RA

X CS

H SC

SCHUYLKILL RIVER

BARTRAM’S GARDEN

LK UY

Neighborhood Context

The beautifully wooded 22-acre site of Bartram Village sits next to Bartram’s Garden, a 45acre national historic landmark, garden, and farm overlooking the Schuylkill River. Together both sites form a green oasis in Southwest Philadelphia that is nestled between industrial sites and separated from the surrounding neighborhood by the crisscrossing rail lines. Originally developed to house defense workers during World War II, Bartram Village today houses approximately 1,050 residents within the neighborhood of Kingsessing in Southwest Philadelphia. The boundary of the Choice neighborhood stretches from the Schuylkill River west to Springfield Avenue and from 67th Street north to the Woodlands, along the edge

of University City. It encompasses 2.78 square miles and is home to approximately 40,000 people.

DID YOU KNOW? Kingsessing is a Delaware Indian name for “place where there is a meadow.”

R IVE

R ILL

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The Bartram Choice neighborhood includes most of Kingsessing and a large portion of Southwest Philadelphia. The boundaries of the Choice neighborhood stretch from the Woodlands Cemetery to the north, Springfield Avenue to the west, 67th Street to the south, and the Schuylkill River to the east.

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The Bartram Choice Neighborhood in Context

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History Founding & Development

The Kingsessing neighborhood is one of the oldest settled areas of Philadelphia. Native American tribes such as the Lenni Lenape treasured its rich soil along the Schuylkill River. In 1644, Swedish colonists formally settled the area as the township of Kingsessing – “the place where there is a meadow.” The area was well known for its beauty when John Bartram purchased land from the Swedes in 1728 and started the nation’s first botanical garden, where he welcomed friends and visitors such as George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Bartram’s friend and fellow botanist, Andrew Hamilton, owned the Woodlands not far away.

46TH & WOODLAND, 1951

Soon the area was populated by other country estates, cemeteries and parks that wealthy Philadelphians invested in to escape the conditions of the city. The Woodlands was transformed into a Victorian cemetery with an arboretum of over 1,000 trees in 1840, and not long after Mt. Moriah was created as a grand garden cemetery in 1855. By the mid-1800s, nurseries and greenhouses also filled the area.

EDGEWOOD STREET, 1950

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EDGEWOOD STREET, 1950

A TOUCH OF HISTORY:

1644

1850

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highway (Woodland Avenue) is designed from Grays Ferry to the Baltimore area, becoming a main road from Philadelphia to southern colonies.

Large estates are divided and massive number of a mills are closed leading to development of much of the area as a residential suburb.

1696

The township of Kingsessing is founded by Swedish settlers.

51ST AND GRAYS AVENUE, 1927

1923

The Woodland Avenue commercial corridor blossoms into a retail district.

Farming took place in Kingsessing until the early 1900s when industry began to take over. As the riverfront slowly changed from green to industrial, waves of Irish, German, Lithuanian, Polish, Italian, and Jewish immigrants settled nearby, forming a thriving working-class neighborhood. At the same time, Southwest Philadelphia evolved from a rural community to a residential streetcar suburb. The trolley lines enabled residents to easily access jobs throughout the city. Development popped up along the streetcar routes with rowhouses built to meet the demand for housing. Woodland Avenue and also Chester Avenue became important retail corridors for the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Neighborhood Today

As electric streetcars replace horsecars, the trolley begins to define the character of the community.

1927

Tilden Middle School opens.

1942 1963

SEPTA is established, coordinating travel between the central business district and larger region.

2010

African immigration increases population in the Lower Southwest District.

2013

Lower Schuylkill Master Plan is adopted, with a vision of renvigorating the area as a modern industrial hub.

Bartram Village is built to house defense workers.

1970

Immigrants from Southeast Asia begin to settle in Southwest Philadelphia.

2012

Construction begins on 58th Street Greenway connecting Cobbs Creek to Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden.

2018

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HUD awards PHA a Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Activity grant to develop an aspirational neighborhood plan.

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Like many cities, industry bottomed out soon after WWII causing people and businesses to move away and disinvestment to occur, starting a slow process of decay. Today, Southwest Philadelphia struggles with high rates of crime, poverty and school quality, aging housing that is expensive to maintain, and physical isolation caused by crisscrossing rail lines and the industrial footprint left behind.

1894

Building Blocks

On Chester Avenue from 54th to 58th street, there are convenience stores and local retail shops selling beauty products, clothing, and personal care, although the commercial corridor is facing challenges including deteriorating storefronts and vacancies. ACANA is headquartered here and has plans to initiate clean-up efforts similar to their efforts along Woodland Avenue.

The Bartram Choice neighborhood has all of the ingredients that make urban communities attractive and full of potential for residents.

segment of Woodland Avenue from 52nd to 56th street is lined with ground-floor retail storefronts but is not as active in part because of several vacant parcels.

Active Commercial Corridors

The northern portion of Woodland Avenue from 46th to 49th street has locally-owned restaurants, smaller grocery stores, and convenience stores that primarily serve the surrounding University of the Sciences student population.

Three major commercial corridors serve the Choice neighborhood. Woodland Avenue from 58th to 67th street is an active corridor with more than 175 businesses, including specialty retail shops, restaurants, small grocery and corner stores, and clothing shops. There is a particularly vibrant corridor near 65th Street and Woodland Avenue, home to many Africanowned businesses like grocery stores, salons, and restaurants. The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA), a nonprofit organization serving African and Caribbean immigrants, manages the corridor and has just completed a study to develop a more visible cultural identity for the corridor. A secondary

Another commercial corridor is blossoming along Elmwood Avenue, beginning at 58th Street and extending beyond the Choice neighborhood boundary to 70th Street. Corner stores and other small-scale retail are dotted throughout the neighborhood.

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WOODLAND AVENUE REMAILS A VIBRANT COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR

Southwest Philadelphia is anchored by several large green spaces and a grid of pedestrian-friendly blocks. The main commercial corridors, indicated in red, run along Woodland Avenue, Chester Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Schools and services are dotted throughout the neighborhood.

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Neighborhood Assets

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Institutional Anchors

The Bartram Choice neighborhood borders University City to the north, which is home to many of Philadelphia’s health and educational anchors including the city’s largest employer– the University of Pennsylvania–as well as the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Drexel University. The University of the Sciences campus is also part of University City and located within the Choice neighborhood. It was North America’s first college dedicated to pharmacy studies and is highly respected. Proximity to these institutions provides residents with jobs in healthcare, education, and supportive services. Their presence also presents opportunities to create unique partnerships that could benefit and enrich neighborhood residents through tutoring, mentoring and specific job training programs.

UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES

CHOP

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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

The wide industrial footprint along the Schuylkill River includes many large vacant sites but the recent Lower Schuylkill Master Plan outlines an ambitious vision for an innovation and logistics hub that could bring approximately 3,000 jobs to the neighborhood in the next few years. And although outside of the Choice neighborhood, the Philadelphia International Airport is only three miles to the south. The airport and related services account for approximately 96,000 jobs in the region.

This map shows the major job centers in and around Southwest Philadelphia which are accessible by trolley and bus routes. Also highlighted are the neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commercial corridors, which provide retail and small business employment opportunities.

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Employment Centers and Transportation Access

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WHAT FORM OF TRANSPORTATION DO BARTRAM VILLAGE RESIDENTS USE MOST OFTEN?

17% Drive

46% Transit (trolley, bus, train)

6% Ride share 8% Get a Ride from friend/ family

20% Walk

Transportation and Connectivity

The pedestrian scale of the Choice neighborhood makes it very walkable. It is also well-connected to the rest of the city, region, and major job centers by public transit, including regional rail and local trolley lines as well as an extensive bus network. The neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SEPTA Trolley Lines 11 (Chester Avenue), 13 (Woodland Avenue), and 36 (Elmwood Avenue) run along the main commercial corridors and provide connections to the major employment centers of University City and Center City. While the SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line travels through the neighborhood, currently there is not a stop located within a reasonable distance. An employee wishing to take public transit to the Philadelphia International Airport would need to board a bus and get on the Airport Line at Eastwick Station, or take the 37 bus the entire way. SEPTA has plans to make significant improvements to the trolleys in Southwest Philadelphia, involving modern light rail vehicles that are ADA accessible and the addition of modern amenities at stops.

According to the Market Study, only 5% of employed Choice Neighborhood residents work in the neighborhood; of the remaining, over 50% work in Philadelphia and the other half work outside of Philadelphia.

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Housing & Character

The character of the housing in the Choice neighborhood reflects itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history as a workingclass community that developed next to the factories in the late 1800s, and as an expansion of the streetcar suburb that blossomed in West Philadelphia after the introduction of the first electric streetcar in 1894. Late Victorian and late 19th to early 20th century twins and rowhouses are visible along Chester and Woodland avenues. Smaller two-story rowhomes are most common throughout the neighborhood. Along the commercial corridors, rows of three-story attached buildings are typical with retail on the ground-floor and residential units above.

Ninety-two percent of the housing stock was built before 1950. This is typical of a historic city such as Philadelphia, but a growing concern because of the cost to maintain it. There is also considerable variation in housing values within the neighborhood: the median assessed value in the northern tip of the neighborhood (part of the 19104 zip code) was $312,600 compared to the median assessed value in the center of the neighborhood (located in the 19143 zip code) which stood at $51,200 in 2017. Home values in the neighborhood have begun to increase, especially in the areas closest to University City to the north. Real estate pressure is expected to continue to push further south as citywide market conditions improve. There is a strong imperative to preserve affordability for Southwest Philadelphia residents.

DID YOU KNOW? 92% of the housing stock in the Choice neighborhood was built before 1950, making it very expensive to maintain

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The number of vacant housing units in the Choice Neighborhood is slightly higher (14 percent) than the Philadelphia average (10 percent). Of the occupied housing units in the Choice neighborhood, 45 percent are owner occupied and 55 percent are renter occupied. The Choice Neighborhood has slightly more renter-occupied housing units than the city as a whole (48 percent).

HOUSING VARIETY

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THE JOHN BARTRAM HOUSE

Cultural & Historic Assets

As a result of the area’s rich history, Southwest Philadelphia has several civic treasures that give the area a distinctive character:

++ B artram’s Garden: The former estate of John Bartram is now a 45-acre historic landmark that balances history, horticulture and resource conservation with learning and discovery. Affectionately called the “Southwest’s Backyard,” Bartram’s Garden hosts dozens of annual programs—gardening, boating, yoga, art, music, and movie nights— that build community and a sense of pride. Sankofa Community Farm, an orchard, and farm market provide affordable fresh fruits and vegetables to neighbors and valuable mentoring and life skills to area youth. ++ K ingsessing Library: Built in 1919, the Kingsessing Branch of the Philadelphia Public Library is one of 30 Philadelphia libraries sponsored by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It sits next to Kingsessing Recreation Center (dating to 1916), creating an important neighborhood hub that serves the community in a number of ways. Along with providing free access to books, movies, music, and more, the library also includes

THE WOODLANDS

DID YOU KNOW? The John Bartram House, John Bartram High School, Weir Mitchell School, Tilden Middle School, The Woodlands, and RegentRennoc Court are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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KINGSESSING L IBRARY

MOUNT MORIAH CEMETERY

a computer lab, meeting space, internet access, and a wide variety of enriching events that are free and open to the public.

++ M t. Moriah Cemetery and Nature Preserve: Spanning 142 acres across Southwest Philadelphia and Yeadon Borough, Mt. Moriah Cemetery was established in 1855 and is the final resting place for people of many different races, backgrounds, and incomes from Civil War soldiers to Medal of Honor winners and Korean War veterans. Today, the cemetery is embarking on a new chapter as a historic resource and nature sanctuary. Its advocates hope to re-establish Mt. Moriah as a unique cultural, ecological, and educational resource for the region.

The Schuylkill Banks Master Plan intends to connect Bartram’s Mile to the Gray’s Ferry Crescent Trail via a swing bridge that will provide a bike/pedestrian connection to Center City. The dock at Bartram’s Garden offers free fishing, boating, and other forms of recreation along the river. A new boat house and mussel hatchery are planned to create more waterrelated programs and foster a love of nature.

Parks, Recreation Centers, and the Waterfront

The Francis J. Myers Recreation Center and Kingsessing Recreation Center are two major recreational hubs and both are targeted for reinvestment from the Rebuild Initiative. Myers Recreation Center is a 6.2-acre facility that includes two basketball courts and two tennis courts, as well as a swimming pool and park within its grounds. It offers robust

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The Bartram Choice neighborhood is home to several unique park and recreational spaces. Public access to the Schuylkill Riverfront expanded in 2017 with the completion of Bartram’s Mile, a 1.1-mile running, walking, and biking trail through the grounds of Bartram’s Garden that currently ends at 56th Street.

In addition to Bartram’s Garden, Clark Park and the Woodlands in the northern portion of the Choice neighborhood and Mount Moriah Cemetery, which connects to Cobbs Creek Park in the southwestern corner, provide large open spaces. Neighborhood parks create much needed green space in residential areas including 63rd & Lindbergh Park, Connell Park, McCreesh Playground and Skatepark, 48th and Woodland Playground, and Deritis Playground.

MYERS RECREATION CENTER

SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAILHEAD AT 56TH STREET

programming, including an after-school program, pre-K program, fitness classes, career exploration programs and fitness classes. Opened to the public in 1916, the grand BeauxArts Kingsessing Recreation Center is one of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest and largest recreation centers, sitting on nearly 9 acres. It is another heavilyprogrammed site for community members, featuring a public pool, sports facilities, a computer lab, educational and sports programming, and a boxing gym.

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The Bartram Choice neighborhood is blessed with several parks and recreational facilities. But in a neighborhood of this size, the walking distance to these amenities can be lengthy. Children at Bartram Village often go to the 48th & Woodland playground, which is almost a mile away.

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Recreational Amenities

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SPOTLIGHT! Street Tree Coverage In general, the Bartram Choice neighborhood is less well-covered by street trees than University City to the north. The northern part of the neighborhood, above 49th Street, shows more consistent coverage, but moving south, coverage becomes less dense with pockets of very little coverage at all.

TREES: A GREAT INVESTMENT!

Not only is there very sparse coverage of street trees on residential streets, there is also minimal coverage on several commercial corridors— notably Woodland Avenue. Kingsessing Avenue has more abundant street trees on certain blocks, particularly between 53rd Street and 58th Street. As you move towards the Schuylkill River, however, tree coverage becomes sparse.

GREATER TREE COVERAGE IN NORTH PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD

You might wonder, why are trees so

important? In addition to their beauty, trees provide all sorts of important benefits: • • • • •

wildlife habitat

energy savings

stormwater management

increased property values

The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree equals 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. —U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

and even, increased retail sales!

•

clean air

DID YOU KNOW?

TreePhilly is a local program helping Philadelphian’s plant and care for trees. Residential and commercial property owners can request a free yard tree or a free street tree at treephilly.org The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is also growing the tree canopy through it’s Tree Tenders® volunteer program, which helps communities plant and care for trees. (visit: phsonline.org/

programs/tree-tenders/)

SPARSE TREE COVERAGE ON WOODLAND AVE

KEY TAKEAWAY: TREES Neighborhoods to the north have much greater street tree coverage than the Choice neighborhood.

This map shows the location of existing street trees as well as a heat map indicating the overall density of street tree coverage.

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Street Tree Coverage in the Choice Neighborhood

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SPOTLIGHT! PHILADELPHIA SCRAP YARDS:

Crime and Safety

In the first seven months of 2019, there were over 1000 crimes committed in the Bartram Choice neighborhood according to the Philadelphia Police Department Crime Mapper. These include four homicides, 12 rapes, 68 robberies, 113 aggravated assaults, 82 burglaries, and 283 thefts. The constant threat of violence and perception of crime, which is made worse by high numbers of vacancies and blighted conditions across the neighborhood, has a significant impact on the quality of life in the community. As illustrated by the accompanying map, there are several hotspots for violent crimes in the residential areas of the Choice neighborhood, in particular towards the southwestern end. Bartram Village also falls within an area of elevated incidence of crime. The neighborhood is served by the 12th Philadelphia Police District, with regular patrols by car and on foot. The 12th Precinct works closely with PHA’s police department on joint public safety initiatives.

In February 2018, Philadelphia Planning

Commission published a white paper

recognizing the challenge that scrapyards pose and noting that many of the city’s scrapyards are concentrated near

vulnerable populations such as the

Lower Southwest District. “Philadelphia

Scrapyards and Auto Wrecking: Planning

Considerations” acknowledges that when

managed properly, these facilities support

the recycling of equipment, parts, and

materials, create jobs and revenue, but when managed poorly pose numerous threats to communities. The paper provides a toolkit to improve conditions, including rezoning, relocation, compliance, modernization and incentives, as well as education.

The threat of violence and feelings of being unsafe have a significant impact on quality of life and mental health.

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KEY TAKEAWAY: CRIME Most crime â&#x20AC;&#x153;hot spotsâ&#x20AC;? are in the southwest area of the Choice neighborhood.

Crime-related hotspots are indicated in the darker pink, while fewer instances of crime were reported in areas that are paler in color.

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Crime in the Choice Neighborhood

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Scrapyards

Throughout Kingsessing and Southwest Philadelphia, there is a significant amount of vacant land, vacant properties, and abandoned or blighted properties. This includes both small residential lots alongside occupied homes and large, formerly industrial areas that have lain dormant for years. Some of these have been cleared, while others still have empty industrial structures occupying them. The large swaths of vacant industrial land that border the Schuylkill River directly north and south of Bartram Village are under the purview of the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan and will be redeveloped into productive job centers in the near future.

Southwest Philadelphia is also host to a number of large and small scrapyards, which are an inevitable part of an urban economy but when poorly sited can create issues for residents in terms of aesthetics, air and noise pollution, and criminal activity. The predominance of scrapyards and auto-related business combined with the conditions of sidewalks, litter, and illegal dumping adds to the overall impression of blight in the Choice neighborhood. These types of rundown and deteriorated conditions are associated with depression. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vacant and dilapidated spaces are unavoidable neighborhood conditions that residents in low-resource communities encounter every day, making the very existence of these spaces a constant source of stress.â&#x20AC;? The City of Philadelphia recently released a white paper with recommendations on improving conditions and seeking regulatory changes to better manage these sites.

Vacant and neglected properties

The persistent presence of untended vacant buildings and land throughout the neighborhood creates an atmosphere where residents feel unsafe walking in their own community. However, a number of vacant parcels have been trimmed, maintained, and fenced in order to reduce blight by organizations such as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia Water Department. This is a lowcost intermediate solution that greatly improves feelings of safety.

CERTIFYING BLIGHT The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) identifies areas of the city that are blighted. To receive this designation, an area must meet at least one criteria, which are set by state law. The most common include: ++ unsafe, unsantiary, and inadequare conditions ++ economically or socially undesirable land use

++ faulty street and lot layoutworks The Redevelopment Authority then works to make the improvements recommended in the Redevelopment Area Plan. Blight certifications expire after 20 years, but can be renewed. Redevelopment Area Plans guide the redevelopment of public land in accordance with City policies. They are updated to reflect public plans and priorities.

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KEY TAKEAWAY: VACANT LOTS There are 259 vacant parcels and 106 vacant buildings in the Choice neighborhood.

This map shows vacant land and buildings throughout the neighborhood. Some large parcels along the river just north and south of Bartram Village, while currently vacant, will soon be developed by PIDC so are not shown as vacant on this map.

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Impact of Blight and Vacancy

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SPOTLIGHT! WHAT IS LAND USE?

Land Use

The Bartram Choice neighborhood is primarily residential with a significant industrial corridor running along the waterfront and the CSX rail lines that cut through the neighborhood. Trolley lines extend along the two main commercial corridors of Woodland Avenue and Chester Avenue, which run parallel to one another.

Planners map land uses to understand

how land is currently being used for certain

Parks and open space are distributed throughout the neighborhood, with recreation centers providing ball fields and passive recreation assets. Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden, which draws visitors from throughout the region, sits directly between Bartram Village and the Schuylkill River. Mount Moriah Cemetery and Nature Preserve provides yet another major open space asset along the southwestern border of the plan area. Various institutional uses are also spread throughout the neighborhood, including places of worship, fire and police stations, and public and private schools.

activities such as residential, industrial, and open space.

Planners use these maps to identify areas in a community that are well-suited for

future development as well as areas that should be conserved. These mapping

exercises also help communities establish zoning codes and other regulations to

guide future development.

9% RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

Low Density

Consumer

Medium Density

Mixed Residential Industrial

High Density

23%

Business / Professional

10%

Civic/Institution

Cemetery

Transportation

Water

Culture / Amusement

Vacant

Active Recreation

0.2%

Park / Open Space

7% 20%

4% 3% 1%

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KEY TAKEAWAY: LAND USE Residential accounts for 31% of all land in the Choice neighborhood, with industrial second largest at 20%.

This map shows the land use patterns for the neighborhood. There are large areas of mostly residential blocks as well as industrial areas near the train tracks and along the river.

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Land Use in the Choice Neighborhood

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Planned Investments

Although Southwest Philadelphia has not shared equally in the city’s growth in the last several years, it has been the focus of several studies with hundreds of millions of dollars targeted in investments along the Schuylkill River and in Southwest Philadelphia.

The Lower Schuylkill Master Plan outlines a vision to reignite the 3,700 -acre corridor along the river with three modern industrial campuses. Two of those campuses—the Innovation District and the Logistics Hub—would be located immediately north and south of Bartram. The third district—the Energy Corridor—would sit across the Schuylkill River from the Choice neighborhood. The Plan is a coordinated city strategy to create jobs and stimulate economic development. The first phase is anticipated to be completed in 2021 and is expected to create about 3,000 jobs.

SCHUYLKILL CROSSING

The City’s University Southwest District Plan identifies 49th Street as one of four Focus Areas (the only one that falls in the Choice neighborhood). The Plan recognizes the potential of 49th street to link neighborhood parks, recreation centers, commercial corridors, trails, and the Schuylkill River. The street is one of just a few in the Choice neighborhood that crosses over railroad tracks. It also has public transit. Improvements would enhance the growth surrounding the University of the Sciences campus, draw more activity to Woodland Avenue, create safer access to the 48th & Woodland Rec Center, improve circulation to the Grays Ferry Bridge, and make it easier for residents to reach the Schuylkill River Trail on foot or by bike. Schuylkill Crossing is currently under construction and to be completed in 2020. The new swing bridge will meet ADA requirements

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and provide easy access for pedestrians and cyclists across the river just south of the Grays Ferry Bridge. The crossing will complete a vital bike/ped connection between Southwest Philadelphia and Center City along the Schuylkill River Trail.

University City

THE PLA The Woodlands

Waterfront programs, events, and facilities continue to expand largely through the efforts of Bartram’s Garden, which has just completed a study for a new welcome center and community boat dock at the trailhead at 51st and Botanic Avenue.

Two major civic anchors of the Choice neighborhood—the Kingsessing Rec Center and Library and the Francis J. Myers Rec Center—have been selected for substantial improvements through Philadelphia’s Rebuild Initiative. This historic investment in the city’s parks, rec centers and libraries is made possible by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. The Paschalville Library, located just outside the neighborhood and heavily used by area residents, has also been selected for Rebuild investments.

Grays Ferry Bridge

Bartram’s Garden

R & D, advan one-story fle users requiri to medium-s of developm market event

To foster a c river and city of flex buildi interior. The it the new “c bank links to eventually, v well. The Sou complement Grays Ferry to the river, n neighborhoo

At full build-o SF of new d annual tax re impact.

INNOVATIO

Passuynk Avenue Bridge

New Dev

Infrastruc

Private In

New Jobs Innovation District Plan : Proposed buildings : Existing buildings

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In 2017, SEPTA and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission completed a Trolley Modernization Program outlining upgrades that would make the system accessible to people of all abilities with modern conveniences regarding fare payments and real-time arrival information. The 1.2 billion-dollar plan was to be completed by 2024. However, implementation has been delayed as SEPTA’s state funding is wrapped up in a federal lawsuit.

Penn SouthBank

To maximize as an integ recreational University C center for ec

New Ann

Total Eco

Source: HR&

LOWER SCHUYLKILL MASTER PLAN INNOVATION DISTRICT

SPOTLIGHT! ACANA

The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) and the Community Design Collaborative just completed a conceptual design for the creation of a cultural corridor along Woodland Avenue from 61st to 68th Street. The vision is to form a regional attraction that celebrates the African diaspora and is inclusive of other cultures. Historically, Southwest Philadelphia has served as a “port of entry” for immigrants. Today, the area hosts one of the largest immigrant populations in the city, including African Americans, West African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees, and a smaller proportion of Asian and Latin American immigrants. This area also falls within the Woodland and Elmwood Avenue Corridors Focus Areas, highlighted in the Lower Southwest District Plan as one of two focus areas that present multiple opportunities for transformation: economically, aesthetically, and functionally.

The African Cultural Alliance of North America is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the welfare and rights of African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees throughout the Philadelphia region. Services include social and legal support, health services, community development programs, organizing African arts and culture events, commercial corridor and small business development, job training, and youth programs. CONTACT: 5530 Chester Ave Philadelphia, PA 19143 215-729-8225 acanaphila@gmail.com

There are several large parcels designated as Keystone Opportunity Zones in the Choice neighborhood along the Schuylkill River. Administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, this program is designed to redevelop underutilized land and buildings into business districts and residential areas by providing state and local tax benefits. Portions of the Choice neighborhood also fall within two different Federal Opportunity Zones. The first set of these zones was approved in 2018. They are designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities by providing tax advantages to those who invest in the zones.

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This map shows the many areas within the neighborhood that are the focus of ongoing revitalization efforts. These include two Rebuild sites, District Plan focus areas, federal Opportunity Zones, and commercial corridor investments.

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Ongoing and Planned Investments

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Bringing it all Together...

Since 2011, when the city adopted its comprehensive plan for growth—Philadelphia 2035, Southwest Philadelphia has figured into multiple planning efforts, large and small.

The Lower Schuylkill Master Plan, University Southwest District Plan, Lower Southwest District Plan, Civic Commons: Reimagining Our Cities Public Assets, and Art@Bartram’s are just a few of the major efforts. With this in mind, the Bartram Choice Transformation Plan developed a focused set of actionable goals that align with and advance these planning efforts.

City-Wide Plans PHILADELPHIA 2035 CITYWIDE VISION (2011)

CIVIC COMMONS: REIMAGINING OUR CITIES PUBLIC ASSETS (2016)

District Plans UNIVERSITY SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN (2013) LOWER SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN (2016)

Specific Plans LOWER SCHUYLKILL MASTER PLAN (2013) SEPTA / DVRPC MODERN TROLLEY STATION IMPROVEMENTS (2017) ART@BARTRAM’S: EXPLORATION, DISCOVERY AND EXCHANGE (2015) MOUNT MORIAH STRATEGIC PLAN (2018) CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR WOODLAND AVE (2019)

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C Co om rr m id er or ci s al Ed Tr u ai ca ni ti ng on & Jo N b O atu pe r n e/ Sp P ac ark e s A & H ffo ou rd si ab ng le & Sa H fe As ist se ori ts c / Cu ltu P ra Pu ub l l i bl c ic R Ar ea t lm / C Tr on an ne sp ct or ivi ta ty tio / n

H Co ea m lth m y un iti es Ec G o ro no w m th ic

How this Plan Fits in with Previous Plans WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE BUILDING ON THE GREAT WORK OF OUR PARTNERS AND PREVIOUS EFFORTS

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Relevant Plans

City-Wide Plans

With an emphasis on Philadelphia and the city’s Southwest Philadelphia district, the study focused on the (1) history and current conditions of the city’s civic assets, (2) learning what the community wants to see change, and (3) developing simple design ideas to ignite revitalization. The study re-imagines several key Southwest Philadelphia assets—Paschalville Library, Myers Recreation Center, the 12th Police District Headquarters, John Bartram High School, and Woodland Avenue—that extend outward into the community, layer different uses and community needs into each space, and welcome residents to these new neighborhood hubs.

The Bartram Choice plan seeks to build on the many planning efforts that have come before. The most relevant strategies from each previous plan that are directly connected to our plan are highlighted below with their corresponding Choice strategy. Also listed are other strategies that align with our plan’s broader goals.

Philadelphia 2035 Citywide Vision

CITYWIDE VISION

Philadelphia2035 is the official 25-year vision for the future growth and development of the city. The 2 35 first written comprehensive plan for Philadelphia since 1960, it established policy and recommendations focused on three guiding themes. Thrive with new growth and opportunities; connect to the region and the world, and renew the city’s valued resources for future generations. The vision sets the basis for the subsequent development of 18 District Plans for every corner of the city.

PHILADELPHIA

Civic Commons: Reimagining Our Cities Public Assets, 2016

Civic Commons Reimagining Our Cities’

Public Assets This plan seeks to demonstrate how civic assets—parks, libraries, schools and other institutions—can be revitalized to yield equitable prosperity for urban communities. The document approaches civic assets as a collective network—a commons— and imagines how they can better operate together toward expanding their individual and collective capacities for the public good.

District Plans The Bartram Choice neighborhood is split between two district plans—the University Southwest District Plan, completed in 2013, and the Lower Southwest District Plan, completed in 2016.

University Southwest District Plan, 2013

UNIVERSITY SOUTHWEST > DISTRICT PLAN

The Upper Southwest District Plan includes the northern portion of our neighborhood until roughly 2 35 58th Street. Relevant recommendations include: PHILADELPHIA

++ R edesign Bartram Village to provide better connections to the existing street grid as well as Bartram’s Garden and the 58th Street Greenway LIVE Goal 1 Strategy A

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++ L ink the Kingsessing Recreation Center, residential neighborhoods, and Schuylkill River public space (located at 49th Street and Botanic Avenue) together by extending bicycle lanes and sharrows (shared bike and vehicle lanes) and re-opening South 49th Street between Grays Avenue and Botanic Avenue

CONNECT Goal 1 Strategy A

++ C reate access to the Schuylkill River at South 49th Street and Botanic Ave

++ I mprove the tree canopy of the Kingsessing neighborhood by planting trees along the key corridors of Woodland Avenue, South 49th Street, Chester Avenue, South 58th Street, Whitby Avenue, and South 54th Street

++ C reate a targeted zone for OHCDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basic System Repair Program in Kingsessing to help residents maintain their homes

++ I mprove 49th Street: recommendations include lighting, street trees, and sidewalk reconstruction to connect green space, recreation centers, and the Schuylkill River

++ C reate a Request for Proposals and subsidize the development of scattered site affordable housing in a section of Kingsessing bounded by Chester Avenue, Woodland Avenue, 58th Street, and 57th Street

Plan Focus Area: Woodland Avenue Commercial Corridor at 49th Street

CONNECT Goal 1 & Goal 2

LIVE Goal 2 Strategy A

++ C reate a targeted vacant land stabilization zone in Kingsessing to prevent the spread and detrimental effects of vacant land

CONNECT Goal 1 Strategy C

++ R ezone the Lower Schuylkill Industrial properties to better attract research and development, advanced and artisanal manufacturing, and institutional uses

++ E xtend Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mile and Schuylkill River Trails

THRIVE Goal 5

++ I mprove Comegys Recreation Center: recommendations include street closures that would create space to expand the facility and a public-private partnership

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++ I mprove the Kingsessing Rec Center with repairs, ADA accessibility, and stormwater management

++ I mprove the Woodland Ave commercial corridor: recommendations include blight certification of certain properties, institutional expansion in order to increase storefront occupancy, and new mixed-use development

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LOWER SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN

Lower Southwest District Plan, 2016

LOWER SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PLAN 2016

PHILADELPHIA2035 PHILADELPHIA2035

The Lower Southwest District Plan includes the southern portion of our neighborhood, generally south of 58th Street. Relevant recommendations include: Philadelphia City Planning Commission

PHILADELPHIA

2 35

++ A dd transit-oriented pedestrian improvements and stormwater management features

++ S ynthesize and strengthen vacant or underutilized parcels by building on existing retail options: recommendations include starting a business association, implementing faรงade improvements, adding lighting, seating, public art, and greenery, in addition to building out currently vacant lots

Specific Plans

CONNECT Goal 1 & Goal 4

CONNECT Goal 1

++ I ncrease local access to trails through improved lighting, signage, and pedestrian and bicycle routes along Woodland Ave (and other corridors not in Bartram Choice neighborhood)

++ E nhance the public realm along commercial corridors: recommendations include green stormwater infrastructure projects, upgrades to Woodland Village Plaza to make it more pedestrian friendly, and adding vegetated buffers

++ C reate a unified vision for Woodland Ave and expand the storefront improvement program along the corridor

++ E valuate best practices and market feasibility for creating a modern scrap/salvage/ recycling district

Focus Area: Woodland and Elmwood corridors (between 58th and 70th streets)

++ P rioritize Woodland Ave, West Passyunk Ave, and Lindbergh Boulevard for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements CONNECT Goal 4

Lower Schuylkill Master Plan, 2013

THE LOWER SCHUYLKILL MASTER PLAN May 2013

The Lower Schuylkill Master Plan envisions a 21st Century industrial district that integrates exciting opportunities for new and growing businesses with sustainable features and public amenities. This plan is part of a coordinated City strategy to reposition the 3,700-acre corridor as three distinct, modern, competitive business campuses. Two of those districts, the innovation district and the logistics hub, are within the Bartram Choice neighborhood and would occupy the land north and south of Bartram Village, respectively. The innovation district is envisioned as a vibrant campus for research and development, advanced and artisanal manufacturing, and institutional uses.

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++ The logistics hub is envisioned as a center for distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing, occupying a strategic location close to air, train, and highway networks.

MODERN TROLLEY STATION DESIGN GUIDE SEPTA CITY TRANSIT DIVISION ROUTES 10, 11, 13, 15, 34, AND 36

THRIVE Goal 3

neighborhood. The project commemorates the Schuylkill River with the mission of connecting the public to the river, enhancing the public’s experience with the river, and promoting environmental stewardship. The Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University—in partnership with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and the John Bartram Association—led the plan, which established the following principles:

SEPTA / DVRPC Modern Trolley Station Improvements, 2017

DECEMBER 2017

CONNECT Goals 1, 3, & 4

This design guide provides a framework for the modernization of the city’s trolley system. To maintain transit capacity afforded by the Schuylkill River Trolley Tunnel, SEPTA is procuring a new state-of-the-art fleet that is in compliance with the Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), along with redesigning the trolley network’s stations. Elements of the redesign include new trolley cars, passenger-activated ramp deployment at stations, lower vehicle floors to avoid steps, and more efficient station spacing (approximately every quarter mile). The reimagined trolley stations will feature dedicated raised platforms that will extend up to the entrance of the trolley, increasing accessibility and safety for riders. SEPTA expects to oversee trolley modernization planning and execution of the next 10 years.

++ B ridge the Divide: Alleviate the physical barriers that separate the Garden from the surrounding neighborhoods by establishing connections and creating elements that allow users to orient themselves in the landscape.

Art@Bartram’s: Exploration, Discovery and Exchange, 2015

Art@Bartram´s: Exploration, Discovery and Exchange

by the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University in partnership with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and the John Bartram Association

THRIVE Goal 5 Strategy B

++ C onnect Communities Through Art & Horticulture: Strengthen relationships between Bartram’s Garden and the surrounding community and leverage community development initiatives through art making and stewardship of the land ++ F ollow the Water: Increase awareness of environmental issues along the Schuylkill River and build a culture of stewardship

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This plan focused on the development and production of public art projects that could be placed along Bartram’s Mile, in Bartram’s Garden, and throughout the surrounding

++ M ake History Your Guide: Leverage the historical land uses and artifacts in the district to initially consider potential artistic interventions.

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Mount Moriah Strategic Plan, 2018 The Mount Moriah Strategic Plan prioritizes the revitalization of Mount Moriah Cemetery as a civic asset to the surrounding Southwest Philadelphia district and the City of Philadelphia. Goals of the plan strive to reposition the cemetery as a green space amenity and historic center, increase public access to the cemetery, engage with stakeholders to drive a culture of stewardship, develop supportive organizational structures, and ensure long-term sustainability of both the Cemetery and Nature Sanctuary.

Strategic Plan for

Mount Moriah Cemetery

Conceptual Design for Creating Cultural Identity on Woodland Ave, 2019

November 2018

ACANA Conceptual Design for Creating Cultural Identity on Woodland Avenue

6100-6800 Woodland Ave | Philadelphia, PA 19142 June 2019 | Project Number 2018-04

2018-14

03-04-2019

ACANA: Conceptual Design for Creating Cultural Identity on Woodland Avenue Perspective View Looking West from 65th Street

NTS

This initial study, prepared for The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) by the Community Design Collaborative, is the first step towards creating a Woodland Avenue cultural corridor reflecting the experiences and contributions of the African diaspora. ++ This conceptual streetscape design for Woodland between 61st and 66th is meant to be a catalyst for investment and further improvement in this area. THRIVE Goal 5 Strategy A

2018-14 03-04-2019 NTS

ACANA

Perspe

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CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FROM CREATING CULTURAL IDENTIT Y ON WOODLAND AVENUE STUDY (COURTESY OF ACANA & COMMUNITY DESIGN COLLABORATIVE)

A: Conceptual Design for Creating Cultural Identity on Woodland Avenue

ective View Looking West from 65th Street

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Resident Profile

POP UNDER 18

48%

Bartram Village POPULATION

1,048

On the whole, the Bartram Choice neighborhood’s population is poorer, slightly younger, and more predominantly African American than the city. Although the population increased slightly from approximately 39,000 residents to approximately 40,000 residents in 2017, growth in this neighborhood’s population lags slightly behind the city’s overall growth. A number of factors contribute to these challenges and make life difficult for neighborhood residents. For residents of Bartram Village, many of these challenges are even greater.

UNEMPLOYMENT

68%

MEDIAN AGE

# OF HOUSEHOLDS

454

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$8,876

How Bartram Village Compares

Bartram Choice Neighborhood

RA Demographics

Bartram Village

Philadelphia

1,048

39,889

1,587,761

MEDIAN AGE

31.2

34.7

POPULATION 55+

10%

22%

26%

POPULATION <18

48%

28%

21%

NO. OF HOUSEHOLDS

454

14,113

620,775

MEDIAN HH INCOME

$8,876

$28,705

$40,314

UNEMPLOYMENT

68%

15%

11%

BLACK

96%

76%

42%

WHITE

10%

40%

ASIAN

0.4%

HISPANIC ORIGIN

15%

NO. OF HOUSING UNITS

500

16,379

687,512

% OWNER-OCCUPIED UNITS

39%

47%

% RENTER-OCCUPIED UNITS

100%

47%

43%

% VACANT UNITS

14%

10%

MEDIAN HOME VALUE

$79,084

$153,502

SOURCE NEIGHBORHOOD & PHILADELPHIA DATA FROM 2017 ESRI BUSINESS ANALYST ONLINE; BARTRAM VILLAGE DATA FROM PHA (3.26.18)

TOTAL POPULATION

Demographicallyspeaking

Bartram Village is home to 1,048 residents who live among 41 apartment buildings on the 22-acre site. The larger Choice neighborhood has approximately 40,000 residents, which is projected to remain steady through 2022.

The Choice neighborhood has a greater proportion of minority residents than the city as a whole: 76% of residents identify as black, 8% as Asian, and 10% as white versus 42% black, 8% Asian, and 40% white in Philadelphia. This minority concentration is greater still at Bartram Village where 96% of residents are black, 0.4% Asian and 3% white.

UNEMPLOYMENT

28%

The Neighborhood POPULATION

39,889

MEDIAN AGE

# OF HOUSEHOLDS

14,113

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$28,705

UNEMPLOYMENT

POP UNDER 18

11%

21%

Philadelphia POPULATION

1,587,761

MEDIAN AGE

# OF HOUSEHOLDS

620,775

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$40,314

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Philadelphia has the highest rate of poverty for a large city in the United States at 24%. The poverty rate in the Bartram Choice neighborhood is 32%.

POP UNDER 18

15%

The Choice neighborhood is slightly younger than the city of Philadelphia, with a median age of 31 compared to 35 for Philadelphia. Bartram Village, however, is much younger, with a median age of 20. Approximately half of Bartram Village residents, in fact, are under the age of 18. The Choice neighborhood also has a significant senior population with 22% of residents over 55 compared with 26% in the city and 10% at Bartram Village. In addition, the number of female residents at Bartram Village is significantly higher at 64% versus 54% in the neighborhood and 53% in the city.

A WELCOMING FRONT DOOR...

Like most urban neighborhoods, Southwest Philadelphia has undergone many changes in population over time. As a frequent entry point for immigrants arriving in the city, Southwest has been home to waves of different immigrant populations seeking affordability and access to jobs, and that remains true today. The share of the Choice neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign-born population is 14 percent, similar to the share of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign-born population of 13 percent.

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...A RICH CULTURAL FABRIC WHITE ALONE (11%) BLACK ALONE (76%) ASIAN ALONE (8.3%) TWO OR MORE RACES (3%)

SOURCE: ESRI 2017

OTHER RACE ALONE (1.6%)

AMERICAN INDIAN ALONE (0.3%)

The diverse population creates a rich cultural fabric that provides exciting opportunities to distinguish the area from other parts of the city. Today, foreign-born residents frequently come from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. African foreign-born residents predominantly come from Western Africa, including Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria, Asian foreign-born residents primarily come from Vietnam and Cambodia, and Latin American foreign-born residents come from the Caribbean islands.

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Employment and Incomes The Choice neighborhood trails the city in terms of educational attainment, with 15% of the population possessing a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree or more, compared to 27% citywide. At Bartram Village, according to the Needs Assessment Survey, between 3 to 8% of adults have a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree or higher, however, there are many promising young students at Bartram Village. Thirty percent of survey respondents said their high school-age children intend to go on to a 2 or 4-year college and 20% plan to enter the workforce.

Although residents of the Choice neighborhood have access to jobs nearby, specifically in University City and along the industrial and manufacturing corridor in Southwest Philadelphia, unemployment in the Bartram Choice neighborhood is high at a rate of 15%. The rate in the city is 11%. But for Bartram Village residents the rate is extremely high at 68%. As a result, the median household income at Bartram Village is $8,876 versus $28,705 in the neighborhood and $40,314 in the city.

Discussions with local service providers and stakeholders indicates that literacy is also a big issue for many residents at Bartram Village and in the Choice neighborhood. The lack of proficiency in this area prevents residents from gaining employment, and in the case of adult literacy issues, can hinder a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to excel in school without reading support at home. There is a great opportunity to expand programming in the areas of literacy, tutoring, and academic enrichment to enable all residents to realize their full potential.

The top industries for employed residents in the Choice neighborhood are health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, retail, and administration and support, and education. Only about 5% of employed residents work in the Choice neighborhood. More than half work in the city and the other half work outside of Philadelphia.

Educational Attainment & Literacy

The Choice neighborhood is served by six public schools: two elementary, two K-8, one middle school and one high school. In addition, there are several private and charter schools located within the boundary. Public schools where many Bartram Village students begin academic careers are among lower performing schools in the city. Although there are signs of progress and achievement, performance indicators are concerning. According to the School District of Philadelphia School Progress Report for School Year 2017-2018, the percentage of students in the four public schools who are reading at grade level for grades K-2 ranges from only 27% to 42%. The average percentage of students proficient or advanced in the PSSA English Language Arts for grades 3 to 8 ranges from 18 to 31%, and for mathematics ranges from 5% to 16%. The graduation rate for Bartram High School is currently 67%.

DID YOU KNOW? 32% of B.V. survey respondents reported that their high school-age children intend to go to a 2- or 4-year college.

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The Kingsessing neighborhood and Southwest Philadelphia have numerous educational facilities. including public, charter and private schools. It is also home to the highly regarded University of the Sciences.

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Educational Assets

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SPOTLIGHT! THE COMMON PLACE:

Childcare

in a neighborhood with such a high proportion of school-age children, many single parents, and low incomes, there is a tremendous need for quality childcare nearby.

There are many childcare facilities in the neighborhood particularly along Chester Avenue and Woodland Avenue, and in the southern end of the Choice neighborhood boundary near Connell Park. The number of Head Start facilities, however, is limited to three. And the number of certified facilities within easy walking distance of Bartram Village is far fewer. Finding affordable, quality pre-school programs were the top two challenges cited by Bartram Village residents as to the reason their children are not enrolled.

Located in a beautiful facility across from Myers Rec Center at 58th and Chester Avenue, the Common Place (TCP) is a shared space with several organizations working to support the children and families of Southwest Philadelphia.

In addition to housing two worshipping communities, TCP offers an arts-based after-school enrichment program, nutrition programming in it’s newly opened “Carl’s Kitchen,” a youth orchestra, and support for vulnerable and abused children.

Hammers with Heart Trades Camp is designed to encourage urban youth to consider a trade such as carpentry, masonry, metal working, power plant operations, horticulture, electrical, or plumbing as a meaningful career direction.. CONTACT:

5736 Chester Ave Philadelphia, PA 19143 267-275-8238 info@thecommongplacephilly.org

This challenge also presents an opportunity — for Bartram Village and neighborhood residents to become trained childcare professionals and achieve the CDA credential. They could subsequently find employment in the neighborhood or even pursue starting up a certified facility.

This map indicates that there are several childcare facilities in the surrounding neighborhood, including a large proportion that are certified. There are, however, only three Head Start facilities and many Bartram Village residents acknowledged the challenge of finding available slots in affordable, high-quality childcare programs.

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Childcare

UNEMPLOYMENT

Bartram Village has the highest rate of unemployment within the Choice Neighborhood, at 68%. Many residents are taking care of children or are unable to work for other reasons. Other pockets of high unemployment in the neighborhood include areas in the south, near Mt. Moriah Cemetery and Connell Park, and between Kingsessing Avenue, Woodland Ave, 54th Street and 58th Street.

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CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY

In addition to Bartram Village, there are two other notable pockets with a high concentration of residents living below the poverty line: at the northern edge of the neighborhoood near Clark Park, and the southwestern corner near Mt. Moriah Cemetery. The middle of the neighborhood and the southeastern corner have decidedly lower concentrations of poverty.

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Health and Wellness

SPOTLIGHT!

Bartram Village and neighborhood residents who completed surveys reported a need for specialized health services for issues like mental health, substance abuse, and trauma. Trauma is an especially resonant challenge that affects many residents every day and impacts their ability to earn a living, care for children, and lead full lives. There is an opportunity to bring these issues to the forefront and begin to heal trauma through both physical and programmatic investments.

HEALTH ANNEX:

The Bartram Choice neighborhood is considered to be in a primary care shortage, which means even if someone is insured, they may not be able to actually see a doctor easily. Other health indicators such as adult obesity rates, cardiovascular disease rates, and cancer mortality rates are all elevated in the Choice neighborhood compared to citywide rates.

The Health Annex is a Federally Qualified health Center that provides a range of

Food access is another challenge facing residents particularly at Bartram Village. Forty percent of survey respondents reported not having enough food to eat at least once or twice a week.

no one is turned away for inability to pay.

There are multiple healthcare facilities located within the neighborhood, though residents still report challenges in gaining access to health care services. Existing facilities include the Health Annex, the Woodland Avenue Health Center, Renaissance Rehabilitation, and City Health Center #3, as well as a number of pharmacies throughout the neighborhood. The area is also a short car or trolley ride to the many renowned healthcare institutions in University City, including Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania health system.

services to patients, including primary care, behavioral health, dental care, social work, outreach and enrollment services, diabetes and nutrition education and support, mind/body practices, prenatal care, specialist services, physical therapy, on-site pharmacy, transportation assistance, and a fitness room. The building also features a community room and community kitchen used by individuals and groups serving the neighborhood or hosting events. As a commitment to serving all residents, Services are offered on a sliding scale

CONTACT: 6120-B Woodland Ave., 2nd Floor Philadelphia, PA. 19142 215-727-4721

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based on patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income.

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The Planning Process

Residents are front and center in the planning process where their opinions, experiences, and preferences are shaping the plan. They serve in leadership roles on every committee and task force. A summer festival, leadership series, bus tour, and walkshop are just a few of the events designed to engage residents of all ages in the process alongside partners and stakeholders.

Workshop

Walkshop

Workshop

SUMMER 2018

FALL 2018

WINTER 2018

SPRING 2019

SUMMER 2019

SPRING 2018

HUD Site Visit

Neigh. Leadership Series!

Workshop

Needs Assessment Survey

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Draft Plan

FA 20

Our Team! They say it takes a village to raise a child. It certainly takes many partners and interested residents to create a visionary yet achievable neighborhood plan, particularly one that unites the desires and the will of such a large and established urban neighborhood.

SPRING 2020

SUMMER 2020

WINTER 2020

SPRING 2021

SUMMER 2021

WINTER 2019

ALL 019

Action Activities are physical improvement, community development, and economic development projects that enhance and accelerate the transformation of the neighborhood.

Draft Plan Presentation

Final Plan Celebration!

Action Activities

2021

o tati Final Action Act es Implemen iviti Plan FEB 2020

Engagement

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The 1st year of planning was busy! There was a total of 27 meetings, activities and special events, including 3 big community meetings and 7 steering committee/task force meetings. Approximately 1128 people have participated in the planning process, including 32 participants in the Neighborhood Leadership Series. Over 500 Bartram Village residents joined their friends and neighbors at the Summer Festival in June 2018.

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Draft Action Activities Proposal

Meet our Team â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes many partners and interested residents to create a visionary and achievable plan!â&#x20AC;?

They say it takes a village to raise a child. It certainly takes many partners and interested residents to create a visionary yet achievable neighborhood plan, particularly one that unites the desires and the will of such a large and established urban neighborhood. For the plan to be successful it needs to be transparent to residents, partners and stakeholders. And it must address pressing issues through strategies that residents will take hold of, help implement, and take advantage of. The members of the Bartram Choice team are committed to making this happen.

Pennrose was selected by PHA as the developer for Bartram Village because of its innovation, integrity and experience developing more than 200 properties. As one of the largest affordable housing providers in the region, Pennrose recognizes the impact it has on peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and is committed to working side-by-side with partners, residents, elected officials, and public agencies to create exceptional living experiences.

Core Team Members

Pennrose | Co-Chair, Housing Task Force

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) | Lead Applicant; Co-Chair, Housing Task Force; Chair, People Task Force

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) provides housing for nearly 80,000 people in the City of Philadelphia as the fourth largest housing authority in the country. In this role, PHA develops, acquires, leases, and operates affordable housing for city residents with limited incomes. But PHA goes far beyond housing by providing education, training, services and other programs to help residents thrive and ultimately achieve self-sufficiency. These programs include free basic adult education, job training programs such as certified nursing assistant, pharmacy technician, medical billing, and culinary arts training, computer skills, financial literacy, youth activities, and senior programs.

PIDC | Co-Chair, Neighborhood Task Force PIDC is a non-profit organization founded in order to stimulate investment, support business growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia. In 2013, PIDC and the City of Philadelphia released the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan. The Plan creates a framework to transition the 3,700-acre industrial corridor running along the Schuylkill River to the north and south of Bartram Village into a vibrant set of modern, competitive business campuses.

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RESIDENTS, STAKEHOLDERS AND PHA STAFF ON A TOUR OF HOUSING SITES REVITALIZED BY PHA

Bartram Village Resident Council

Bartram Village has three resident council membersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who form a direct link to residents of Bartram Village. All three members are deeply involved in the planning process as members of the Steering Committee and all of the Task Forces. They also serve as neighborhood ambassadors. The Resident Council reviews all of the ideas, materials, and presentations developed through the planning process and gives their feedback before anything is presented to residents or the community.

Special programs like the Neighborhood Leadership Series and the Artist in Residency program have been designed to help residents of all ages feel more comfortable taking part in the planning process.

Bartram Village & Neighborhood Residents

Bartram Choice is fortunate to have many partners involved with the planning process to help identify realistic opportunities and strategies. These partners serve on our Steering Committee, Task Forces, and Action Activities Committee, and participate in our capacity building activities. Our hope is that by bringing together all of these talented organizations, we can synthesize our efforts to maximize the impact of our programs and resources.

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Residents of Bartram Village and the surrounding neighborhood are the focus of our planning effort and their participation is vital for the plan to be effective. A concerted effort is being made to encourage Bartram Village residents and their neighbors to take an active part in the planning process. Bartram Village residents and their neighbors are members of the Steering Committee and Task Forces.

Partners & Stakeholders

How our Team is Organized Steering Committee:

Housing and Community Development, and the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place-Based Initiatives). Other members represent educational and workforce training facilities, community organizations, local business owners, and health institutions, including Bartram High School, Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden, Southwest Community Development Corporation, the Common Place, City Lights Network, ACANA, Southwest Philadelphia District Services, the Village, and 12th Police Precinct.

The Bartram Choice Steering Committee (BCSC) serves as the decision-making body for the Bartram Choice Neighborhood planning effort and was established to make sure that all policy and project decisions are well-informed by the community. BCSC reviews and approves the Transformation Plan priorities, early action activities and action activities, project design, community engagement and capacity building efforts. The BCSC is made up of representatives from PHA, Pennrose, PIDC, Bartram Village residents, neighborhood residents, and government employees (Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Department of

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Task Forces

Three task forces focus on the main objectives of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiativeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Housing, People, and Neighborhood. The task forces are responsible for identifying the goals for the plan and strategies to achieve the goals. The task forces will also brainstorm ideas for early action activities that can be completed while planning. They will also propose action activities to be completed when the planning process ends.

The task forces bring together professional partners, area stakeholders, business owners, non-profit organizations, Bartram Village residents and neighborhood residents. Each is chaired by a working professional as well as a member of the community. The intent is to combine the expertise of practitioners with the on-the-ground knowledge of community members while building a shared understanding of the possibilities and potential limitations.

++ T he Housing Task Force focuses on developing a strategy to provide high-quality, well-managed, mixed-income housing that responds to the needs of the neighborhood.

++ T he People Task Force explores ways to help residents of Bartram Village and the surrounding community thrive. This includes access to effective education, meaningful opportunities for employment, quality health and wellness services, and well-designed, affordable housing.

Action Activity Committee Action Activities are physical improvement, community development, and economic development projects that enhance and accelerate the transformation of the neighborhood. An Action Activity Committee was set up in summer 2019. The committee will first develop criteria to evaluate potential activities submitted by the task forces. It will select activities to submit to HUD by November 27, 2019. All activities must be approved by HUD. The committee then will be responsible for overseeing the projects through completion. Members will include Bartram Village and neighborhood residents, and planning partners.

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++ T he Neighborhood Task Force identifies ways to improve connections to basic services in the community such as grocery stores, banks, and a laundromat, doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and dentistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offices, a greater sense of safety, and overall appearance and character to attract public and private investment.

A LIVELY TASK FORCE MEETING

The Process

Final Plan Celebration!

Walkshop Workshop

Draft Plan Presentation

Workshop

SUMMER 2018

HUD Site Visit

FALL 2018

WINTER 2018

SPRING 2019

SUMMER 2019

Neighb. Leadership Series! Workshop Needs Assessment Survey

WINTER 2019

SPRING 2020

SUMMER 2020

WINTER 2020

Draft Plan

Final Plan

The final Bartram Choice Plan will be completed in February 2020. The Bartram Choice effort received a special planning and action activity grant from HUD, which involves a two-year planning process followed by another year and a half to implement Action Activities to jumpstart transformation of the neighborhood. This is especially important in Southwest Philadelphia, an area that has figured into many recent planning efforts and is ready to see real signs of change. We are 18 months into the planning process. Our focus now is to refine the vision for the future of the area encompassed by this draft plan. The next step will be to continue to identify and collaborate with partners to ensure the final plan is achievable and measurable.

SPRING 2021

SUMMER 2021

tion Action A enta ctivities Implem

Draft Action Activities Proposal

BV RESIDENTS & NEIGHBORHOOD

FALL 2019

SPRING 2018

The final plan must be completed and sent to HUD for approval by February 27, 2020.

The Meeting Schedule: When the Bartram Choice planning process began, the Steering Committee and the three Task Forces aimed to meet regularlyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;either monthly or bi-monthly. We discovered that there is a lot of overlap among partners and interested residents. A small but committed group of participants emerged who were trying to attend back-to-back meetings. This approach did not seem sustainable or effective. As a result, during Year 2, the planning team has combined Steering Committee and Task Force meetings to limit meeting fatigue and increase attendance. Streamlining the meetings also fosters greater transparency and a greater sense of shared visioning and decision-making.

2021

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Community Engagement & Capacity Building

The Bartram Choice neighborhood covers 2.78 square miles and has a population of nearly 40,000. Because of the size, the Bartram Choice engagement strategy aims to connect with as many people as possible at different locations in the community and at different times of the day and week. Transportation is provided for Bartram Village residents to all events that are not held at Bartram Village. The engagement strategy was designed to provide opportunities for people to be actively involved in shaping the plan by identifying priorities and developing strategies that they can see themselves using and benefiting from. Activities have been developed to gather input and also to give residents the tools and comfort level to participate and to become for stewards of the plan.

BARTRAM CHOICE WEBSITE AND POSTER (BELOW)

Communication:

US!

Walk through your community with members of the planning team and discuss your vision for the neighborhood!

NEIGHBORHOOD “WALKSHOP”

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019 Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Bartram Village Community Center 5404 Gibson Drive (off of Lindbergh Blvd) 1-hour walking loop around Southwest Philadelphia

We will meet at the Bartram Village Community Center. Snacks will be provided.

learn more at bartramchoice.com

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Spreading the word about Bartram Choice and sharing information in a timely manner is one of the biggest challenges we face. A website—BartramChoice.com—was set up at the start of the process for anyone interested in the planning effort. It has a calendar of events, an information hub with meeting summaries, presentations, and photos, as well as contact information that is updated frequently. Meeting announcements are also posted to several different social media outlets. Flyers for all meetings and special events are handed out to every Bartram Village household. Flyers are also available at community anchor locations.

A PLE

N JOI

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COMMUNITY KICK-OFF EVENT

Community-wide meetings

A total of 5 large meetings are planned for the public during the two-year planning process. To date, three meetings have brought the community together. The kick-off meeting at Kingsessing Recreation Center on April 24, 2018 gathered Bartram Village and neighborhood residents together with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, State Rep. Joanna E. McClinton, representatives of HUD, and many local partners. At the Common Place on October 10, 2018, the planning team shared and discussed the results of the Needs Assessment and started to prioritize the findings. Over 50 residents and partners engaged in lively discussions during a presentation and open house about the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emerging themes and framework on February 7, 2019, at Ezekiel Baptist Church.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

The next community-wide meeting is planned for early fall 2019 to present the draft plan to the neighborhood and gather feedback on the proposed development concepts. Another public meeting will be held at the end of the planning process to celebrate the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s completion and launch the Action Activities.

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SPOTLIGHT!

Neighborhood Ambassadors:

MEET A NEIGHBORHOOD AMBASSADOR!

The Bartram Village resident survey showed that most people get their news by word of mouth from family and friends as opposed to online. To increase participation in the planning process, the planning team decided to bring on 7 Neighborhood Ambassadors—four who live at Bartram Village and three living in the neighborhood. These energetic ambassadors are creating a buzz about Bartram Choice by distributing flyers in their communities, sharing information about the planning process with their friends, neighbors, and networks, posting updates on social media, and getting people out to meetings.

Short-term changes she would like to see are safer streets and an increased level of pride for the area. “I have seen neighborhoods in Philadelphia change and wanted to be part of the change in my immediate community. I believe those who could be affected should be involved in the shift.”

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SOUTHWEST PRIDE DAY

Luciana Boone has lived in Southwest Philadelphia for almost 20 years. In that time, she has taught at Tilden Middle School, operated a Family Child Care Home, and raised her children. She is very active in the community as a Block Captain, a panelist for the District Attorney’s Office Youth Aid Panel, and a graduate of the Citizens Planning Institute. Luci would like community members to be educated on the many resources available to them to make transformative generational changes. Her wish is for property values to increase and benefit the families who have raised children in the area.

Needs Assessment

Three focus groups were conducted between March and June of 2019. One focused on education, with representatives of local schools discussing issues such as literacy and bridging the basic skills divide. The second focus group discussed health, wellness, trauma, and healing. The third centered on employment, bringing together local community organizations working to improve job prospects for Southwest residents and begin to tackle issues like re-entry, green jobs, and skills development.

The Needs Assessment launched during a Summer Festival at Bartram Village on June 22, 2018. Over 200 Bartram Village residents completed the lengthy survey that day! A total of 260 households (over 52%) completed surveys by August 2018. The Festival brought neighbors of all ages outside to enjoy music, food, and activities for the kids such as painting and dancing.

Focus Groups

To gather feedback from those who live, work or frequently visit the surrounding neighborhood, the planning team developed a shorter survey that launched in July 2018 and ran through September 2018. It was available online and on paper at over 20 nodes in the neighborhood including churches, libraries, and rec centers such as Grace Christian Fellowship, Paschalville Library, Southwest CDC, Rhythm & Brunch, and The Common Place. Eighty-nine residents completed this survey. Separate reports with the full results of both surveys are posted at BartramChoice.com. The findings were also presented and discussed during the Community Meeting & Workshop #2 and are directly shaping the plan.

Youth Summer Arts Program BARETEETH, the Bartram Village Community Center, and Youth HEALers Stand Up collaborated on a five-week arts program at Bartram Village during the summer 2018. The program involved discussions, photography, art and dance workshops, and rehearsals that explored the themes of home, displacement, and futurity, focusing on the participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; current experiences with housing at Bartram Village. The summer residency program involved five workshops that gave for youth aged 7 to 17 the opportunity to take photographs for a visual time capsule of Bartram Village and to make

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SPOTLIGHT! MEET A NEIGHBORHOOD AMBASSADOR!

VISIONING ACTIVITY DURING THE SUMMER FESTIVAL

EXPLORING THE CNI

Tracey is an ambassador to community members from 58th St to 67th St, Woodland Avenue to Springfield Avenue. Please contact bartram@pha.phila.gov to reach out to her.

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THINKING ABOUT THE LANDSCAPE

Tracey Gordon has been a homeowner in the neighborhood for 24 years and a resident for 30. She is an active block captain and Ward Committee woman. While serving as a neighborhood ambassador for Philly 311 and organizing block clean ups, she was awarded the Philadelphia More Beautiful Clean Block Award. What excites her most about Bartram Choice is the opportunity to bridge the gap between the community and Bartram Village. Her favorite assets in the community are Cobbs Creek Parkway and Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden. One of her ideas for neighborhood improvement is to increase pride in the specific communities that Choice Neighborhoods covers. Tracey was elected as Register of Wills for the City of Philadelphia in spring 2019.

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP SERIES

Speakers: Donna Carney, City of Philadelphia Citizen’s Planning Insitute; Martine DeCamp, Philadelphia City Planning Commission; Local citizen planners — Mark Harrell and Luci Boone

This popular series was designed for all Bartram Village and neighborhood residents to develop communication and leadership skills, to meet neighbors with similar interests, and to learn how to take an active part in the Bartram Choice and other community planning and development efforts. Six two-hour sessions were held from November 2018 to February 9, 2019, at Bartram Village. The sessions began with dinner from local restaurants and covered the following topics:

Philadelphians to city planning, zoning and the development process so that they can help shape change in their neighborhoods. Local CPI graduates also shared their experiences.

Speakers: Ryan Bailey, Pennrose; Woo Kim, Principal/

++ S ession 1: Right under our noses— the building blocks of change. This session explored ways to plan meaningful community development by mapping and building upon local assets and the passion and talent of area residents.

++ S ession 4: Change is good but so is affordability. With the recent attention Southwest Philadelphia is attracting, many worry about related issues of gentrification. This session explained the different tiers of affordable housing and how it is financed, and discussed strategies to preserve housing affordability long-term.

Speakers: Mary Morton, Urban Designer & Planner at WRT and Regina Young, Resident of Eastwick & Founder of Empowered CDC

Urban Planner at WRT; Steve Kuzmicki, Southwest CDC

++ S ession 5: The power of design and nature [trauma and resiliency]. With trauma and mental health a large concern for area residents, this session began an important conversation about trauma,

++ S ession 2: Music to my ears—building consensus with your inside voice. This session explored planning as a shared problem-solving exercise, emphasizing ways to build consensus among different stakeholders and engage a wide range of ages and multicultural groups. Speakers: Lamar Wilson, Wilson Associates

++ S ession 3: Planning in Philadelphia. This information-packed session provided an overview of the City’s vision for the future –Philadelphia 2035 – and relevant district plans, and how city agencies and residents work together. Participants also learned about the Citizens Planning Institute (CPI), which introduces

LEARNING HOW TO HANDLE DIFFICULT COMMUNITY DECISIONS

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP SERIES PARTICIPANTS WITH SPEAKERS DR. SOUTH AND CHANTAY LOVE

healing, and the connection between mental health and green space. Participants also discussed other holistic approaches to healing and coping with trauma.

Speakers: Eugenia South, MD, MSHP, University of PA; Chantay Love, Founder of EMIR Healing Center

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++ S ession 6: Take the lead! The final session was led by long-time PHA Resident Council leaders who shared their experiences about coming together and speaking with one voice. This session coincided with a Bus Tour of three recently redeveloped housing sites owned by PHA. Speakers: Asia Coney, PHA Resident Advisory Board

Afterwards participants joined one another for a final graduation celebration. Over thirty-two participants took part in the leadership series.

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP SERIES CELEBRATION

Special Events:

t-shirts representing their collectivity. Youth also got to choreograph and perform a dance for the Stronger Youth Movements conference on August 18, 2018, in addition to writing and publishing a pamphlet about the present housing crisis at Bartram Village. Outside of the workshops, Bartram Village youth decided to meet an additional three times a week to allow more time to choreograph and rehearse their dance routine, produce the t-shirts and the pamphlet. Over 25 young residents of Bartram Village participated in the residency program.

WALKSHOP

++ P HL + NYC Quality Affordable Housing Exchange: On July 26, 2018, several members of the planning team joined Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden and residents of the community on a one-day study tour of

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TURNING TO THE EXPERTS TO DESIGN NEW PLAYSPACES

BARTRAM VILLAGE CHILDREN SHARING THEIR OPINIONS ON WHERE PLAYGROUNDS SHOULD GO

They were given arts and crafts supplies to design their own playground or play space, which resulted in a wide array of inventive creations. The children then had an animated discussion about where on the Bartram Village site they’d most like to see their designs.

exemplary affordable housing developments in New York City. The tour explored case studies of housing created through inclusive design, highlighting public partnerships with community organizations. The tour also considered ways to integrate communitysupported services, the arts, public space, and other amenities into affordable housing developments.

++ Walkshop: The planning team held a “Walkshop” for Bartram Village and neighborhood residents in April 2019. Members of the planning team joined two small groups of residents and neighbors on two walking routes through the neighborhood starting from Bartram Village. Participants were able to have informal conversations about the neighborhood in real time, highlighting favorite places, as well as obstacles, unsafe areas, vacant lots, and opportunity areas that might be addressed by the plan.

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++ Children’s Workshop: Nearly half of Bartram Village residents are under 18, so their ideas are important to capture. On July 1, 2019, the planning team held a creative workshop for Bartram Village children participating in the site’s summer camp.

The Community’s Vision “As one where you can feel safe, bring your children or family knowing you can eat out, go to clean, nice parks, and take walks in bright neighborhood.”

We asked Bartram Village and neighborhood residents about their vision of the future: In the future, how would you like the next generation to view this community?

“As a beautiful place to raise a family.”

“To become a place where I can feel happy about raising my sons and not feel as if something bad will happen.” “Green and peaceful.”

“I would like them to see it was a nicer, greener place to live without the violence!” | 80

“I would want them to view it as a safe haven or as a place that helped them become successful.”

“As an oasis, a safe haven, and a fresh start.”

“I’d like the future generations to view this community to see this as a safe and loving place.”

“As a place to take pride in and call home.”

“As an eco friendly neighborhood.”

“More green spaces.”

“A beautiful and peaceful place to live.”

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“Mixed races financially stable and financially struggling families.”

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The Plan:

Three Guiding Themes

These themes create the framework for the Bartram Choice Neighborhood Plan: Connect, Live, and Thrive.

Connectivity to services, recreation, nature, and to each other: The Bartram Choice neighborhood has several parks and recreation centers, active commercial corridors, and an expansive public transit system, but the physical connections from Bartram Village to many of these resources are limited to three streets that cross over the rail lines. The actual crossings are open, overgrown, and unsafe. In one location at 58th Street, the freight rail line crosses at grade with just a simple gate protecting pedestrians.

One of the many advantages of an urban location like this is that a car is not necessary for daily needs. Schools, doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offices, a library, parks, and basic services are within walking and biking distance of Bartram Village. But the pedestrian experience is hampered by poor lighting, litter, vacant buildings and lots, crumbling sidewalks, scrapyards, and in some areas, industrial activity. Hard-to-see markings and unprotected bike lanes also discourage biking. A cleaner, safer, and more attractive pedestrian framework along major routes of circulation would enable residents to safely access and take advantage of available services and amenities. This same framework would help all neighborhood residents move more securely within the neighborhood and improve their access to the waterfront.

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The ability to live well:

Everyone deserves the right to live a physically and mentally healthy life. Bartram Village residents and their neighbors enjoy a relatively high rate of health insurance. Yet they also experience high incidences of asthma, elevated blood pressure, and depression/anxiety/post-traumatic stress. Access to healthy, affordable food and safe places to exercise are also limited. Bartram Village residents and their neighbors are in great need of the piece of mind that comes with safe, secure, affordable housing; fresh, nutritious food; inviting spaces to walk and exercise without fear; and resources to heal the body and mind.

Opportunities to excel and thrive:

Southwest Philadelphia is a well-established community near significant employment centers and anticipated economic investments. Yet factors such as low-performing schools, limited educational attainment, low literacy levels, and limited access to technology make it difficult for residents to gain the skills necessary to obtain meaningful employment or participate in these developments. There are exciting signs of improvement among Bartram Village high school students who are going on to two- and four-year college degree programs. But it is crucial that this planning effort explore creative ways to establish a local job training and employment ecosystem to foster confident, skilled residents who can achieve self-sufficiency and take part in the economic developments happening nearby. It is also important for the neighborhood to thrive by celebrating its history and culture, beautification efforts, expanded services, and welcoming gateways.

How do these themes incorporate the goals of CNI?

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The Bartram Choice Plan is sharply focused on CNI’s core goals of housing, people, and neighborhood, which are folded into the “working” themes of Connect, Live, and Thrive. But after several meetings referring to housing, people, and neighborhood plans, it was obvious that these terms were not resonating with our residents and partners. We introduced aspirational themes such as “Connect, Live, and Thrive” at the February 2019 Community Meeting, and received very positive feedback.

Connect Create an inviting community that is clean, green, and safe with beautiful, active public spaces. Connect people to these places; to nature and recreation; and to each other.

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Connectivity to services, recreation, nature, and to each other. CONNECT GOALS GOAL 1 Develop a clean and green network of streets along primary circulation routes that connect major services, amenities, and green spaces to Bartram Village and the waterfront.

Green spaces and civic spaces are a critical part of a vibrant neighborhood. They contribute to urban life by providing recreation opportunities, encouraging healthy lifestyles, enabling socialization, and connecting residents to one another. Southwest Philadelphia has a diverse and dynamic array of open space and recreational assets, where residents gather to relax, socialize, exercise, and explore. From two major recreation centers, to Bartram’s Garden, to the unique benefit of having the Schuylkill River at the neighborhood’s edge, residents have access to an exciting mix of experiences.

GOAL 2

Foster a safe neighborhood day and night for residents of all ages.

Feedback from residents makes it clear that although the neighborhood is rich with assets, it is often difficult to get to them, and distances between them sometimes stretch to a mile or more. These assets function more like green oases amid a sea of concrete.

Conditions on streets like litter, lack of lighting, poor sidewalks, and vacant lots keep residents from wanting to walk around—and walking is how the majority of residents get around. What’s more, because of the many below-grade and at-grade rail lines crossing the neighborhood, connections near Bartram Village between the east and west sides of the neighborhood are limited to just three streets—49th, 54th, and 58th. With limited connectivity, it is essential that the few connections that do exist are easy and enjoyable to navigate as well as clean and safe.

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The vision is for a safe, green, and beautiful network of streets and public spaces that connect residents to the many assets, amenities, and resources in the neighborhood. New open space amenities on the Bartram Village site will expand recreation offerings. Safety will be prioritized and enhanced through physical investments in street safety and wayfinding. These investments will create a model for other parts of the city on how to increase tree cover, combat urban heat island effect, lessen health issues like asthma, and improve air and water quality while beautifying and connecting the neighborhood.

GOAL 3 Create a healthy outdoor environment that promotes healthy activities and social experiences.

GOAL 4 Enhance the existing transportation network through safe street crossings, trail connections, and increased walkability.

SPRUCE

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Bike Share Station

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GOAL 1:

Develop a clean and green network of streets along primary circulation routes that connect major services, amenities, and green spaces to Bartram Village and the waterfront. This primary circulation network is what we are referring to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Priority Streetsâ&#x20AC;? in this document. Since the neighborhood is so vast, and we want to create a plan that is feasible, we chose to focus our initial efforts on the streets that residents use the most in their daily lives. Putting more effort into the cleanliness of the corridors, plus adding trees and greenery, will improve the pedestrian experience while improving air quality, adding shade, and making the neighborhood more welcoming to residents and visitors alike.

Lindbergh Boulevard/Grays Avenue, 58th, 54th, and 49th are the streets that Bartram Village residents most often use to get to the main commercial corridor of Woodland Avenue, where the closest grocery store and several health services are located. These happen to be the same streets that lead to the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major green spaces. As mentioned, these streets are essentially the only ways to physically get across the rail lines that divide the neighborhood near Bartram Village, so it is crucial that these routes are clean and pleasant to walk along. Children from Bartram Village (where half the population is under age 18) often walk by themselves to and from school and play spaces along these routes. Unsafe and unkempt rail bridges as well as at-grade rail line crossings further degrade the pedestrian experience. By creating a safe, walkable pedestrian network, Bartram Village residents and residents of the entire Choice neighborhood will be able to more easily cross the neighborhood, access these public amenities and interact with one another.

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Strategy A:

Add trees, greenery, and green stormwater infrastructure to priority streets.

Data shows that Southwest Philadelphia generally has much less street tree coverage than other nearby areas of the city. Greening the streets most often traveled by Bartram Village residents and neighborhood residents will improve the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood’s connectivity network and make these streets feel safer and well looked-after, while also improving air quality and managing stormwater.

PRIORITY STREETS

In order to create a feasible yet impactful plan, we are focusing our initial efforts on the following Priority Streets. These are what we are referring to whenever you see the phrase

R TE ES

E AV

“priority streets” in this document.

++ Grays Avenue (49th to Lindbergh Avenue)

E AV

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++ Elmwood Avenue (56th to 58th)

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++ Lindbergh Avenue (Grays Avenue to 58th)

Bartram Village

++ 54th Street (Lindbergh to Chester Avenue) ++ 58th Street (Lindbergh to Chester Avenue) ++ 49th Street (Grays to Chester Avenue) ++ Woodland Avenue (48th to 58th)

++ Chester Ave (48th to 58th)

COMPLETE STREETS & GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Green City, Clean Waters is the City of Philadelphia’s $2.4 billion initiative to reduce stormwater pollution and runoff through green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), led by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). The initiative’s goal is to reduce the stormwater pollution entering the city’s waterways by 85 percent by 2035. Since the program’s adoption in 2011, PWD and private developers have added over 1,100 green stormwater tools to the city; these tools include stormwater planters, porous pavement, rain barrels, stormwater bump-outs, and more. Green stormwater infrastructure has the potential to create community green space, revitalize vacant lots, and achieve other economic, social, and environmental benefits. So far, PWD is bringing GSI improvements to Kingsessing Recreation Center, Myers Recreation Center, and other areas of Southwest Philadelphia. Residents can get involved as well, through PWD’s Rain Check program, which provides qualified residents with a free rain barrel to capture stormwater runoff from roofs.

Complete Streets are designed to accommodate everyone and ensure safety for all, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. While each Complete Street may look different, they may include: sidewalks, bike lanes, dedicated bus lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent and safe crossings, curb extensions, accessible pedestrian signals, and more. These allow people to easily cross streets, bike to work, and wait safely and comfortably for public transportation. In June 2009, Philadelphia was the first city in Pennsylvania to establish a complete streets policy and in 2013, the city adopted its Complete Streets Handbook. The Handbook acts as a guide for different members of the public: community groups looking to improve their streets, developers building new projects, and for city employees designing new streets.

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WHAT WE HEARD

Which of the following issues negatively impact the neighborhood? B.V. RESIDENTS:

70%

OF NEIGH. RESIDENTS RATED CLEANLINESS FAIR TO VERY POOR

Litter in public areas

Dumping of trash in neighborhood

Poor lighting

Unsafe street crossings on Lindbergh Ave

75%

RATED AIR QUALITY FAIR TO VERY POOR

NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS:

Safety, Cleanliness & Air Quality are major concerns

Litter in public areas

Lighting

Sidewalk conditions

Strategy B:

Work with Clean PHL litter program to provide additional trash cans and organize regular neighborhood cleanups of priority streets.

CLEANPHL

CleanPHL is the City of Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

initiative to make a cleaner, lower-waste city. Aside from the litter index, which

provides an estimated litter count and rating for different areas of the city,

CleanPHL also develops Neighborhood

We heard again and again from Bartram Village and neighborhood residents how much of a problem litter is throughout their daily routes. Having more trash cans at regular intervals along priority streets, particularly at transit stops, will help address this chronic issue. Regular clean-ups will engage the entire community and encourage residents to take ownership of the beautification of their neighborhood.

Litter Control Plans. These plans are developed through the Streets Department in partnership with other City agencies and nonprofit partners, and Southwest Philadelphia was the first neighborhood to pilot the neighborhood litter control plan in March 2018. The plan was created in partnership with the Southwest Community Development Corporation and other organizations serving the area, focusing on 49th to 72nd Streets between Lindbergh

Avenue and Woodland Avenue.

A COMMON SIGHT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

WHAT WE HEARD SAFETY

Parks or green spaces B.V. residents want to see improved

Less than 20%

22%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE DURING DAY

63rd & Lindbergh Park

48th & Woodland

Strategy C:

44%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE AT NIGHT

21%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE ALLOWING CHILDREN TO WALK AND PLAY OUTSIDE

OF B.V. RESIDENTS THINK IT IS SAFE FOR SENIORS

Kingsessing Rec Center

Clean and green highly visible vacant lots along priority streets and educate neighborhood residents about landscape maintenance/tree pruning.

A VACANT LOT CLEANED AND GREENED BY PHS

Walking past vacant or unmanaged vacant land and buildings can feel unsafe. Cleaning these up sends a signal that the street and its properties are being cared for and enhances visibility in otherwise unoccupied spaces. PHS has already been active on this issue with their LandCare Program, which entails cleaning and maintaining vacant lots, and we look forward to working with them to continue to address the issue. In addition, educating residents through annual pruning and landscaping workshops will help instill ownership over the beautification of the neighborhood.

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GOAL 2:

Foster a safe neighborhood day and night for residents of all ages.

A large part of enhancing the connectivity of a neighborhood is making sure residents feel safe utilizing the connections that are available to them. Safety is a large concern for both Bartram Village and neighborhood residents, with many in particular expressing worry over the safety of children and young people as they walk to and from neighborhood destinations like schools and play areas. Seemingly minor changes like adding more street lights, and using design principles to ensure public spaces are visible and wellmanaged without dark pockets, go a long way to making residents feel safer moving about their neighborhood.

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WHAT WE HEARD Residents are concerned about safety.

MORE SECURITY CAMERAS IN PUBLIC SPACES

BETTER STREET & SITE LIGHTING

84%

Strategy A:

What would make B.V. residents feel safer?

OF B.V. RESIDENTS RATED SAFETY FAIR TO VERY POOR

LESS TRASH & ILLEGAL DUMPING

73%

OF NEIGH. RESIDENTS RATED SAFETY FAIR TO VERY POOR

Upgrade and add additional lighting within redeveloped Bartram Village and on Lindbergh and Grays avenues from 49th Street to 58th Street. Residents strongly expressed a desire for more lighting on the grounds of Bartram Village and in the immediate streets surrounding the community, particularly to enhance the safety of the many children who live there and walk to and from daily activities.

Strategy B:

Add security cameras and signage indicating their presence within Bartram Village, especially where kids get off school bus and interior of site.

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Along the same lines, residents feel additional security cameras and signage indicating the area is being monitored will make them feel safer when moving around the site.

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Strategy C:

Design a demonstration improvement project along Lindbergh & Grays avenues between 49th and 58th streets to improve safety and appearance of nuisance uses (e.g. “chop shops,” after-hours clubs, illegal dumping).

A green screen to sheild the salvage yard; fence art,

safer rail road bridge, and

Southwest Philadelphia has seen a proliferation of auto-related businesses, both sanctioned and informal, in some cases very close to residential areas. The City of Philadelphia recently released a white paper with recommendations on improving conditions and seeking regulatory

changes to better manage these sites. The predominance of scrapyards and auto-related business combined with the conditions of sidewalks, litter, and illegal dumping adds to the overall impression of blight in the Choice neighborhood. These types of run-down and deteriorated conditions are associated with depression. “Vacant and dilapidated spaces are unavoidable neighborhood conditions that residents in low-resource communities encounter every day, making the very existence of these spaces a constant source of stress.” A pilot project will demonstrate how the issue could be dealt with through physical investments and can be replicated elsewhere.

tree trenches transform 58th

Street into a more welcoming

corridor.

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WHAT WE HEARD What would make it easier for B.V. residents to exercise?

Better, brighter lighting on main streets

SAFETY

20% 35% YES

SOMETIMES

45%

New local gym/ indoor fitness locations nearby

Greater feeling of safety

Strategy D:

BV residents: “I feel safe allowing children to walk/play outside”

Incorporate “design for safety” principles into the redevelopment of Bartram Village and future development along Lindbergh Boulevard and Grays Avenue.

ACTIVE BUILDING FACADES INCREASE SAFETY

As new development comes to Southwest Philadelphia, it will be crucial to ensure buildings and public spaces are designed to put “eyes on the street.” This means putting windows, doors, and habited spaces along streets so that pedestrians feel like they are not alone when walking around the neighborhood. The proposed Bartram Village redevelopment site plan achieves these goals by bringing buildings up to the street edge, creating active facades that generate foot traffic, minimizing gaps between buildings and instances of undefined spaces, and incorporating well-lit walking paths throughout the site.

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GOAL 3:

Create a healthy outdoor environment that promotes healthy activities and social experiences. engage in activities such as kayaking, yoga, fitness walking, gardening, and more. Additionally, Bartram Village is a tight-knit community of families, many of whom have lived there for many years. It is important to design an environment that fosters community and socialization, which has been shown to improve mental health and decrease feelings of isolation.

Both Bartram Village and neighborhood residents have expressed a desire for more and safer ways to lead healthy, active lifestyles, which is known to combat stress and anxiety as well as reduce obesity rates. This planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision is for a greater culture of wellness in Southwest Philadelphia, where walking and biking routes are plenty, and residents frequently come together at improved open spaces to

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WHAT WE HEARD

New Local Gym / Indoor Fitness Locations Nearby

Ways to make it easier to exercise

53%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS REPORT NOT HAVING TRIED WALKING, BIKING, OR JOGGING ALONG THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL

Strategy A:

Integrate a variety of “play” spaces for all ages on Bartram Village site.

EXPERT IDEAS

The reimagined Bartram Village site will include an array of play and exercise spaces for residents of all ages. Many of these spaces will be adjacent to each other so that adults can recreate and/or socialize while keeping an eye on children playing nearby. More passive, contemplative spaces will be located in appropriate contexts but not isolated.

took part in a design workshop on July 1, 2019 to imagine new playspaces. When asked how they would like to play, their favorite things were: to experiment, slide

and climb!

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Bartram Village summer campers

WHAT WE HEARD 60%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS RATED THE QUALITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR WALKING AS FAIR TO VERY POOR

53%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS REPORT NEVER HAVING BIKED, WALKED, OR JOGGED ON THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL

81%

BV RESIDENTS REPORT NEVER HAVING TAKEN A FITNESS CLASS AT KINGSESSING RECREATION CENTER

Strategy B:

TRAIL CONNECTIONS

Clean up and prune overgrown weeds and trees at Deritis Playground.

This playground is one of the closest to Bartram Village, but residents say that managing the overgrown greenery that separates it from the adjacent rail line would make it safer and more inviting for children.

A major connection between sections

of the Schuylkill River Trail is underway, with the ongoing reconstruction of a

historic swing bridge across the River into a pedestrian and bicycle-only bridge.

This will link Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mile Trail and the

58th Street Greenway with the extensive trail network on the eastern bank of the Schuylkill, enhancing access to Center City and beyond. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020. This link is also a critical addition to The Circuit, a larger regional network of existing and planned trail connections that stretches from Washington, D.C. to New York City and the Poconos.

Strategy C:

Increase awareness of nearby indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities, such as yoga and exercise classes, and increase recreational programming both at and near Bartram Village. Residents have expressed a need for more recreation opportunities close by. While adding programming will make sense in some cases, in others, there are already great programs here in the neighborhood that people can tap into, but are just unaware that they exist. Enhanced communication is needed about all that Southwest has to offer in terms of recreation, sports, and other activities.

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Strategy D:

Expand bicycle infrastructure and amenities both at and near Bartram Village, including bike parking and storage, trail connections, and a bikeshare station.

INDEGO

Strategy E

There are already a number of on- and offstreet trails that pass through the Choice Neighborhood, including Bartram’s Mile (which will soon connect to the Schuylkill River Trail) and the 58th Street Greenway (which brings people to the Cobbs Creek Trail further west). These interventions are meant to make it much more convenient for Bartram Village residents to take advantage of these nearby assets.

Indego is Philadelphia’s bike-sharing

Create safe, well-lit walking loops of different lengths throughout Bartram Village and connecting to Bartram’s Garden and the Schuylkill River Trail with mileage signage.

system serving certain areas of the

With the nature paths of Bartram’s Garden and the Schuylkill River Trail so close by, there is a great opportunity to physically connect these assets to Bartram Village through a series of walking loops integrated into the redeveloped site. Different lengths will enable residents to choose their own distance and destination, as the loops will also bring residents to a wide variety of green spaces and gathering places throughout Bartram Village. By weaving the walking paths into the major circulation routes of the site, we will ensure that the area feels like there are more “eyes on the street,” increasing residents’ sense of safety.

Southwest Philadelphia (located at Clark

city. There are three different pricing schemas—monthly, yearly, and daily passes—with a subsidized option for those with Pennsylvania ACCESS cards. While there is only one Indego station serving the Bartram Choice neighborhood/ Park), the 2018 Indego Business Plan identifies certain areas of the Choice Neighborhood as potential locations for future stations. One of Indego’s goal is to expand from its current 121 stations to over 250 stations, allowing for expansion into neighborhoods that are not currently served and with a focus on low-income areas and communities of color. Potential Garden, Kingsessing Recreation Center, and Myers Recreation Center.

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new locations for stations include Bartram’s

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GOAL 4:

Enhance the existing transportation network through safe street crossings, trail connections, and increased walkability. for residents. Helping to address these issues through an inclusive approach to mobility will enable residents to get where they need to go faster and more safely. It will also improve the commuting options and experiences of the many expected employees travelling to the future innovation hubs located directly north and south of Bartram Village on PIDC property.

With excellent trolley access bringing people to and from Center City and point beyond, to the fabulous trail system along the Schuylkill River, to the fact that most Bartram Village residents report walking as their most common form of transportation, Southwest Philadelphia is a multi-modal neighborhood in terms of how residents get around. But in many cases, safety and quality issues impede the experience of all these forms of transportation. Poor sidewalk conditions, unsafe trolley stops where cars are tempted to drive around the trolleys and into passengers, and inconsistently available bike lanes on major streets are areas of concern

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WHAT WE HEARD

Requested amenities at trolley stops

What would make Chester and Woodland Ave commercial corridors more inviting?

Real-time Info

#1 Safer and more visible

Canopy / Shelter

crosswalks (B.V. residents)

Strategy A:

Benches

Improve sidewalk conditions on priority streets.

Strategy B:

Add traffic calming elements and prominent pedestrian crossings along Lindbergh and Grays Avenues from 49th to 58th streets.

SIDEWALK CONDITIONS ON GRAYS AVENUE

Bartram Village residents constantly walk along Lindbergh and Grays Avenues to get to nearly any destination in the neighborhood. These blocks are mostly lined with industrial and autorelated activity, and the wide road conditions attract fast-moving car traffic. These combine to make a very unfriendly pedestrian experience. One way to improve things for walkers is through traffic calming investments. Potential traffic calming measures include bright and highly visible crosswalks, curb bump-outs, and green planted buffers.

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BUMP-OUTS AND VISIBLE CROSSWALKS ENHANCE SAFETY

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Traffic Safety

This map shows streets identified by Vision Zero as part of its High Injury Network (in pink). Many of these form part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;priority streetsâ&#x20AC;? identified as part of our plan, which we would like to see cleaned, greened, better lit, better marked and made much safer for pedestrians. | 104

VISION ZERO

50% of traffic deaths and severe injuries occurred on just 12% of Philadelphia streets.

Vision Zero is a strategy aimed at eliminating all traffic related deaths and severe injuries, while increasing safety, health, and mobility for all.

Throughout the Bartram Choice planning process, residents of Bartram Village and the neighborhood, as well as area stakeholders repeatedly mentioned concern over pedestrian safety. This concern is even greater due to the significant population of children who live in the neighborhood and walk to area schools. Many children are often unable to take advantage of recreational and community facilities and programs due to safety concerns.

Mapping “High Injury Network (HIN)” streets in Southwest Philadelphia (as identified by Vision Zero) shows that there is good reason for concern. All of the major east-west cross streets are part of the HIN as is Lindbergh Boulevard and Woodland Avenue. By focusing efforts on these “priority streets”, we hope to improve safety for all and support the goals of the City’s Vision Zero.

It was first adopted by Sweden in 1997 as a national policy. Now many states in the U.S. are adopting Vision Zero policies. Successful Vision Zero programs recognize that increasing the number of people walking and biking makes these activities safer, and at the same time improves the health of a city. Philadelphia has developed a three-year action plan that focuses on a “High Injury Network.” This Network was developed with data on reportable crashes in Philadelphia from 2012-2016, gathered from PennDOT. Data used were only for crashes

To learn more about Vision Zero and to take the pledge, visit: Visionzeorphl.com

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that resulted in a fatality or significant injury.

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WHAT WE HEARD

Drive

B.V. residents use the trolley stop at 54th and Lindbergh most often

Transit

Walk

(TROLLEY, BUS, TRAIN)

Strategy C:

Residents use transit as their primary form of transportation

Strategy D:

Improve and restore bike lanes on Grays & Lindbergh avenues (49th to 58th) and improve the 58th Street Greenway.

These trolley stops are the most frequently used by Bartram Village residents, yet they lack enough amenities or safety measures to make them comfortable to use. More seating and a canopy or shelter, as well as potential short-term safety measures to ensure passengers don’t get caught in car traffic when entering or exiting the trolley, will improve their experience. These physical additions to the stops also represent an opportunity to bring attention to the culture, assets, and history of the neighborhood— through small green roofs or walls, changeable information panels about upcoming local events, and interpretive information about local history.

The 58th Street Greenway is a mostly separated bike path stretching from Bartram’s Mile to the Cobbs Creek Trail. Adding signage, greening, and better bike lane markings along it as well as on Lindbergh and Grays will enhance the overall connectivity of Southwest Philadelphia to various open space assets and other nearby trail systems.

Enhance the safety and comfort of the trolley and bus stops at 54th and Lindbergh, 55th and Lindbergh, and 56th and Elmwood.

Additionally, the safety and usability of the 56th and Elmwood trolley stops will be greatly enhanced by the formalization of the 56th and Lindbergh intersection into a major gateway into Bartram Village, with a signalized traffic stop and well-marked pedestrian crossings and bicycle infrastructure. See page X for a description of the envisioned 56th Street gateway (Thrive Goal 6).

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Live

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LIVE GOALS GOAL 1

Home is home. A place where people live and come back to each day. It should be safe, welcoming, and secure; a comfortable place to recharge, gather strength, and find support to be able to live life to the fullest. But at Bartram Village and in the Bartram Choice neighborhood, residents worry about the condition of their housing and mounting development pressure. They are also deeply concerned about their safety and that of their children. Incidents of crime and trauma run high. These factors are reflected in the health of residents, many of whom experience high blood pressure and anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

GOAL 2

Promote healthy, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the Bartram Choice neighborhood.

The ability to live well.

Provide attractive, affordable housing in a healthy built environment at Bartram Village.

The vision for the reimagined Bartram Village site is to create not just shelter but a beautiful, holistic healthy community that is carefully knitted with nature. Bartram Village will become a vibrant community that will promote physical activity and social interaction. It will improve access to medical services as well as affordable nutritious food. In turn, Bartram Village will anchor a larger interconnected green network, enabling residents to safely move about the neighborhood, take advantage of its many resources, and live well!

GOAL 3 Enhance the physical health of residents by expanding access to a wider range of quality health services.

GOAL 4 Establish an environment that promotes positive mental health and healing.

GOAL 5 Improve access to nutritious, affordable food.

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• Over 600 new healthy, affordable housing units • Walking loops and outdoor fitness areas • A variety of playspaces • Community gardens • Free fresh produce delivery monthly • Outdoor barbecue areas for gathering

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Medical Services

James Finnegan Playground

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This map shows the ways in which the LIVE theme will physically transform the neighborhood through better access to services and amenities that will help residents live healthy, full lives.

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Existing Food Market / Services Elmwood

LVD

Priority green / safe / clean streets

AVE

GH B

Home Improvements Focus Area

PASS

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University City

Farm Market

K YUN

Park / Open Space

63rd & Lindbergh Park

SEPTA Trolley Line

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Cobbs Creek Park

University of Sciences

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The Woodlands Cemetery

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GOAL 1:

Promote healthy, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the Bartram Choice neighborhood. Maintaining Housing Affordability in the Bartram Choice Neighborhood Many Philadelphians are struggling to pay for housing. This is especially true for the city’s lowest-income households.

There are several desired outcomes of this goal. The first is to make homeownership a possibility for Bartram Village and neighborhood residents so that they may build wealth. Another is to help stabilize some of the existing housing stock by focusing on the “priority streets” identified in the plan under “Connect” (see previous section). Lastly, this goal strives to support local entrepreneurs/developers and build local talent and jobs.

According to Housing for Equity: An Action Plan for Philadelphia, completed in 2018: ++ 2 6% of Philadelphians are living in poverty (Our market study says 24%)

++ 24,000 eviction filings in 2017 ++ 4 2,900 on the waiting list with Philadelphia Housing Authority (keeping in mind the list is currently closed so this represents an underestimate) ++ 5,600 experiencing homelessness To address these needs, the Action Plan strives to provide new housing for 36,500 households and preserve 63,500 occupied homes over the next 10 years.

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In an area such as the Bartram Choice neighborhood where housing values are low compared to other parts of the city, the already vulnerable population is at risk for being pushed out of their homes and neighborhood by outside investors.

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Strategy A:

JUMPSTART SOUTHWEST

In an effort to promote healthy, affordable housing throughout the Choice neighborhood, PHA is partnering with three community-based organizations on a demonstration program to renovate long-term vacant PHA-owned properties in the Choice neighborhood into affordable homeownership opportunities. These organizations include the Southwest Community Development Corporation in conjunction with their Jumpstart Southwest program; ACANA; and Southwest Philadelphia District Services. Under this demonstration, these organizations will:

Launch a demonstration program to transform vacant PHA properties into affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderateincome neighborhood residents.

Jumpstart Southwest is a community development program designed to

stimulate residential housing development and neighborhood revitalization while

creating employment opportunities for

local neighborhood residents. The program

was first implemented by developer Ken Weinstein in the Germantown

neighborhood of Philadelphia before

expanding into other neighborhoods.

In Southwest Philadelphia, Jumpstart is

being led by the Southwest Community Development Corporation (SWCDC).

The program provides training, mentoring, networking, and financing options for

aspiring local developers. Participants/ mentees are neighborhood residents who are interested in learning about

residential real estate development and how it can be used as a tool for change. The program aims to create opportunities for locals to invest and develop in their neighborhood, build wealth locally, support scattered-site rehabilitation, encourage a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, improve neighborhood safety through blight reduction, and help first-time investors. To date, Jumpstart Southwest

has completed five cohorts.

++ Select a development team, ++ E valuate the rehabilitation needs of the properties, ++ Develop a project scope and budget ++ N egotiate with banks and lenders to secure project funding ++ Oversee the rehabilitation of the properties ++ I dentify income-qualified households (<80$ of AMI) to purchase the renovated homes It is hoped that this program will increase the capacity of these organizations to implement their own development projects, eliminate blight associated with vacant properties, create employment opportunities for local workers, and create quality affordable homeownership opportunities so that low and moderate income households have the opportunity to reap the benefits of the improved neighborhood.

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This map shows the location of individual properties owned by PHA that are targeted for redevelopment by local neighborhood organizations with the goal of providing affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents.

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Location of Affordable Homeownership Opportunities

WHAT WE HEARD 45%

OWNER OCCUPIED IN THE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD

Types of housing residents feel are needed in the neighborhood:

55% 14%

VACANT HOUSING UNITS IN THE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD

RENTER OCCUPIED IN THE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD

48%

RENTER OCCUPIED IN PHILADELPHIA

New affordable rental housing

Senior housing

10%

VACANT HOUSING UNITS IN PHILADELPHIA

Renovated existing homes for homeownerhip

Strategy B:

Promote the Healthy Rowhouse Project, the Basic Systems Repair Program, and the Restore, Repair, Renew loan program by holding a bi-annual housing repair blitz and workshop for neighborhood residents, targeting homes along priority streets.

THE HEALTHY ROWHOUSE PROJECT

The Healthy Rowhouse Project was

founded in 2014 by the Design Advocacy Group and is dedicated to improving substandard conditions of rowhouses occupied by low to moderate-income

Philadelphians. Healthy Rowhouse works with the city and nonprofit partners to create cost-effective loan and grant programs to ensure residents can live in healthy homes. The program is also helping preserve the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic housing stock, preventing displacement, allowing seniors to age in place, creating jobs and

revitalizing neighborhoods.

These city-based programs are designed to assist homeowners in making critical repairs to their homes and investments in their properties. The goal is to help people remain in their homes while improving the quality of their lives and also stabilizing the neighborhood.

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WHAT WE HEARD What would make the neighborhood feel safer to you?

More security cameras

Fewer vacant lots/abandoned buildings

Better street lighting

Fewer vacant lots/ abandoned buildings

69%

Less trash and illegal dumping

OF B.V. RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO WORK TOWARD BUYING A HOME IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS

Better street lighting

NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS:

More security cameras

Strategy C:

B.V. RESIDENTS:

DOORS AND WINDOWS ORDINANCE

Identify vacant buildings along priority streets to be stabilized through Philadelphia’s Doors and Windows Ordinance.

Choice neighborhood and Bartram Village residents expressed a strong desire to reduce the number of vacant lots and abandoned buildings. By focusing on the major pedestrian corridors that cross the neighborhood and connect to primary points of interest, the plan hopes to create a clean and green network of streets that will improve the neighborhood’s appearance and safety.

The Doors and Windows Ordinance is used as a code enforcement tool to tackle blight, crime, and health impacts related to vacant and abandoned buildings. It requires property owners of abandoned buildings on blocks where 80 percent of buildings are occupied to install working doors and

program started in 2011, it has resulted in

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significant decrease in crimes.

windows in all structural openings, or to be subject to hefty fines. Owners who don’t comply are subject to fines amount to $300 daily for each opening (window or door) that remains boarded or open. Since the

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PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER ONE BLOCK AT A TIME

NEW INFILL HOUSING [to fill in vacant lots]

JUMPSTART SOUTHWEST [assiting aspiring local developers to invest in and rehab homes]

BASIC SYSTEMS REPAIR PROGRAM

The City of Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) provides free emergency repairs to correct electrical, plumbing, heating, structural, and roofing issues in eligible owner-occupied homes. Examples of issues include leaking or broken sewer and/or water lines, violations from the Water Department, Philadelphia Gas Works, PECO or Philadelphia Licenses

PWD [installing green infrastructure such as tree trenches to manage stormwater and improve quality of life]

ASTHMA PREVENTION PROGRAM [improving physical conditions that trigger asthma]

and Inspections, roof leaks that have caused a 4-square foot or larger section of ceiling to collapse, and structural repairs to exterior walls. Those who are eligible must: have not received BSRP services in the last three years; own and live in the single-family house; be current or under current payment agreement for both property taxes and water bills; meet the income guidelines; and not own any other residential property.

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BASIC SYSTEMS REPAIR [provides emergency repairs]

PHA [working with local agencies to transfer vacant PHA properties into affordable homeownership opportunities]

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP DAYS

CLEAN PHL [working to control litter in Southwest]

RESTORE, REPAIR, RENEW PROGRAM

Restore, Repair, Renew is a new loan

replacement, electrical repairs, lead-based

program to help Philadelphia homeowners

paint, and mold and radon mitigation.

access low-interest rate loans to invest in

These loans can be used for a wide variety of home repairs related to health, safety, weatherization, accessiblity, and overall quality of life. Eligible repairs include:

their homes, improve their homes, and strengthen their communities. For more information, visit: philadelphiaredevelopmentauthority.org/ restore-repair-renew/

roof, siding, foundation, window and door

The goal is to help residents remain in Blossom at Bartram

their properties.

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TOOLS BEING USED IN PHILADELPHIA TO MAKE COMMUNITIES MORE RESILIENT TO FORCES OF GENTRIFICATION:

++ S hallow Rent Subsidy, which provides shorttime assistance for a defined period of time. ++ E viction Prevention Program, which provides a tenant helpline, connections to legal services, and financical counseling.

The City of Philadelphia uses several strategies to help communities like Southwest Philadelphia combat the negative impacts of gentrification:

++ S mall Landlord Loan Program is designed to preserve naturally occurring affordable rental housing in low-income neighborhoods by providing loans and technical assistance to those who own a total of four or fewer units that need health and/or safety-related repairs. All loans must be made to properties with rents that are affordable to households at or below 100% of Philadelphia County Area Median Income (“AMI”) with one third of these loans to properties leased at rents affordable to households at or below 50% AMI.

Resident engagement – The Citizen’s Planning Institute (CPI) educates local residents, who want to make a difference in their communities, about the city’s planning, zoning, and development process and how they can shape and preserve their neighborhoods. Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) are community groups concerned with the physical development of their community who are informed of projects that will be reviewed by the Zoning Board or Civic Design Review Committee. They also hold public meetings that enable residents to provide feedback on planned development in their neighborhoods.

Home Repair – Recognizing the need to preserve the existing housing stock and to help keep residents in their homes, the City offers several programs such as the Basic Systems Repair Program that offers free emergency repairs.

Support for Renters – Among the programs available to assist renters are the:

Strategically Investing along Transit Corridors – Philadelphia has an extensive public transit system that connects residents to employment and critical services. By investing in development near transit stops, the City is trying to remove barriers and provide residents of all incomes access to and between basic resources such as housing, education, employment, and supportive services.

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Tax Relief – Another strategy to help keep homeowners in their homes is tax relief. These programs include the Low-Income Senior Tax Freeze for citizens of a certain age and income, and the Owner-Occupied Real Estate Payment Agreement (OOPA), which allows homeowners to make affordable monthly payments on property takes that are past due.

++ Tax Relief for Landlords with Affordable Units

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GOAL 2:

Provide attractive, affordable housing and a healthy built environment at Bartram Village. the site will also encourage more people to spend time outside and create more activity.

++ A beautiful, green community: The design will preserve some existing trees and integrate a variety of green spaces to play, sit, meditate, grow, and enjoy. These spaces extend the landscape of Bartram’s Garden while preserving and celebrating the area’s botanical history.

Bartram Village currently sits on a lovely 22-acre site with huge old trees and a lot of greenery. The setting hints at the area’s agricultural past and is rare for such an urban setting. Built in 1942 as defense worker housing during World War II, the 41 residential buildings are now deteriorating and are very difficult to reconfigure or bring up to modern standards. The site’s immediate capital needs exceed $100 million. The sprawling buildings create large empty voids resulting in outdoor spaces that are rarely used by residents. And the design of the buildings is not consistent with the architecture, layout or scale of the surrounding neighborhood. Rail lines isolate the Bartram Village site physically from the neighborhood with a total of only four streets crossing from one side of the Choice neighborhood to the other. The plan calls for the demolition of all of the existing buildings at Bartram Village site over time with the goal of creating a welcoming, attractive, healthy mixed-income community that addresses residents’ concerns and desires for: ++ A safe environment: Reducing the size of the buildings and orienting them to the street grid will put more eyes on the streets. Walking loops of different lengths throughout

++ P ositive health and well-being: The design will promote physical activity and positive well-being with active playspaces, connections to bike/pedestrian trails, a healing garden, walking loops, and views of nature. ++ B reaking down the barriers: Stronger connections to the surrounding neighborhood with clear entrances will make the site more inviting and a mix of housing types will encourage a greater mix of incomes.

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WHAT WE HEARD 10%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS ARE 55 OR OLDER

21%

NEED ACCESSIBLE HOUSING FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, HEARING AND/ OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

56%

Strategy A:

BV RESIDENTS WISH TO RETURN TO THE SITE WHEN REDEVELOPED

WOULD LIKE TO SEE REDEVELOPED SITE WITH AFFORDABLE AND SOME WORKFORCE OR MIXEDINCOME

OF B.V. RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN A TOWNHOUSE

44%

68%

83%

WOULD LIKE TO SEE REDEVELOPED SITE WITH ALL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Blend a variety of mixed-income housing types at Bartram Village to meet the needs of residents including accessible, hearing impaired, and senior housing that is indistinguishable from other housing.

Three larger multi-family buildings with ground-floor retail spaces and several walkup apartment buildings will line the site along Lindbergh Avenue, creating an attractive street edge. The interior portion of the site will comprise a mix of stacked and traditional townhouses as well as walk-up apartments. Two multi-family buildings at the back of the site will take advantage of views of the Schuylkill River and Center City skyline.

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Senior housing will be provided in the two multifamily buildings along Lindbergh Boulevard with closer access to public transit. Accessible housing will be carefully integrated in a manner that is indistinguishable. Similarly, replacement units and market-rate housing will be located side-by-side.

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WHAT WE HEARD 60%

Top health conditions facing BV residents #1 Asthma/Breathing issues

OF B.V. RESIDENTS RATED THE QUALITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR WALKING AS FAIR TO VERY POOR

What would make it easier to exercise? B.V. RESIDENTS:

21%

FEEL SAFE AT NIGHT

New local gym/ indoor fitness locations nearby

< 20%

NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS:

22%

FEEL IT IS SAFE FOR SENIORS

Strategy B:

Greater feeling of safety

Better, brighter lighting on main streets

New local gym/indoor fitness locations nearby

Better, brighter lighting on main streets

SAFETY

FEEL SAFE ALLOWING CHILDREN TO WALK AND PLAY OUTSIDE

Greater feeling of safety

Use green building and landscape design practices to support the health and well-being of residents and the site.

Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden. Bike parking and storage will encourage residents to take advantage of the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s access to the Schuylkill River Trail and 58th Street Greenway. An outdoor exercise area and variety of playspaces will encourage residents of all ages to get moving. Pocket gardens, a community garden, green gathering spaces and barbeque areas will offer many ways for residents to relax, reflect, recharge, and interact with neighbors.

Integrate green infrastructure to manage stormwater, protect water and air quality, and celebrate nature. Rain gardens, bioswales, and a green median are among the green stormwater infrastructure features that will be used to manage stormwater on-site. [See the Opoen Sace Design Vision for more details on page 131.]

The buildings will also be designed to maximize daylight and views of nature and arranged to promote physical activity in an effort to create a peaceful living environment. The site will incorporate a series of well-lit walking loops of different distances that connect to paths through

Strategy C:

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The design of the buildings and site at Bartram Village will integrate green building practices and low impact development to the maximum extent possible. Buildings will adhere to a nationally recognized green building rating system such as Enterprise Green Communities or National Green Building Standard. To combat asthma and protect resident health, green building materials will be used such as: low- and no-VOC paints, primers, coatings, adhesives and sealants; low- and no-formaldehyde cabinetry; environmentally-preferable flooring including Green Label or Green Label Plus-certified flooring and hard surface flooring in bathrooms; and wall and ceiling surfaces with mold prevention treatments.

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Housing Plan Overview

townhomes, senior apartments, walk-up apartments, and multi-family buildings on-site at Bartram Village. In addition, approximately 50 units may be located “off-site” on a parcel adjacent to Bartram Village. The building types are still to be determined and will likely be either townhouses, walk-ups, or a combination.) A total of 500 units will replace those currently on the site in addition to 148 market-rate rental or affordable homeownership units, which are considered “non-replacement” units.

The Bartram Choice housing plan carefully integrates the goals of the “people” and “neighborhood” strategies so that residents of Bartram Village and the surrounding neighborhood may thrive. The chart to the right offers a snapshot of how the input and preferences of community members and stakeholders shaped the housing component of the plan.

The focus of the Bartram Choice Housing Plan is centered around the complete redevelopment of Bartram Village, which is now 75 years old. The Plan proposes a total of 648 new residential units in a variety of building types, including

| THE HOUSING TASK FORCE HARD AT WORK

126

Shaping the housing plan Residents said...

We listened.

650 new homes will replace 500 obsolete housing units.

83% of BV residents want to live in a townhouse type of building.

The new housing types are mostly townhouse-style buildings.

21% of residents desire homes that are customized to address disabilities.

10% of BV residents are 55 or older.

Rental housing in the neighborhood is poor quality, due largely to the old housing stock.

44% of residents desire a mixture of new affordable and workforce housing.

18% of all new homes will be fully ADA accessible; vision and hearing impaired homes will be built to suit. Two new senior apartment buildings will be located along Lindbergh Boulevard. 75% of new housing units are affordable to extremely low-income, very low-income and low-income families; The remaining 25% are designated as workforce or market-rate housing 22 homeownership townhouse units are planned for the Bartram Village site and 23 affordable homeownership opportunities are targeted in the neighborhood.

New housing should promote positive physical and mental health.

Playgrounds, walking trails, and healing gardens are among some of the features that will foster positive physical and mental health.

New non-residential programming should be included on-site.

Over 30,000 SF of non-residential space is planned which may include a commercial kitchen, small business incubator, gym, office space, and/or community room.

Strive to make the community resilient to the forces of gentrification.

Redevelopment of Bartram Village will replace all 500 existing public housing units.

Redevelopment should occur with minimal disruption to BV households.

Implementation of the plan will involve multiple phases of redevelopment with one off-site opportunity site (currently vacant).

Retain the site’s “green” character.

The redeveloped BV site has been carefully designed to preserve old growth trees and to incorporate green stormwater infrastructure and a variety of green spaces.

Public safety is a concern.

New homes are oriented to the street with front doors to provide clear views and maximum defensible space.

69% of BV residents aspire towards homeownership.

to the site’s design.

Access to and views of nature, healing gardens, opportunities to exercise and socialize, and a central community building are just a few features of the redeveloped Bartram Village.

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Apply strategies of trauma-informed planning

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Housing Principles and employment skills, and learning how to become homeowners. The process of making homes available will also be used to nurture local entrepreneurs by teaching neighborhood residents how to invest, finance, renovate, manage and sell properties. Leverage Uniqueness – Bartram Village sits at the intersection of a rich multi-cultural history that is intertwined with horticulture, industry, innovation, the waterfront, and urban form. The design of the renovated Bartram Village will celebrate these roots and plant the seeds of a more resilient and contemporary community where people are well-connected to resources, opportunities, and one another.

Bartram Residents First – The Bartram Choice Housing Plan will above all serve the needs of Bartram Village residents – with housing that supports the positive development of households, not just provide new shelter. Clear communication, a safe and nurturing community, access to good childcare, health services, and jobs will be key components. Design of homes and spaces that cater to the elderly, youth and disabled residents will also be priority. Every public housing unit at Bartram Village will be replaced on site and all current Bartram Village residents in good standing will have a right to return to the redeveloped units.

Restore Health – Bartram Choice aims to promote a healthy body, mind, and environment by creating a safe community that encourages people to interact, heal, and thrive. Well-lit walking paths, bike trail connections, and playgrounds will make it easy to be physically active. Healthy building materials, daylight, views of nature, and social spaces that bring people together will support mental health and well-being. The site and buildings will be designed to preserve green space and protect natural systems. Build Wealth – Bartram Choice will create multiple paths for residents to build wealth. Underutilized, vacant, and blighted houses in the neighborhood will be targeted for renovations and set aside for low-income residents to become first-time homeowners. Supportive programs will assist Bartram Village residents in improving their credit, enhancing their financial management

Strength in Diversity – The redeveloped Bartram Village will reflect the increasing diversity of families and the neighborhood. By integrating a variety of housing types and sizes that support intergenerational living and a variety of needs, Bartram Choice will foster a welcoming and inclusive mixed-income community. Preserve Long-Term Affordability Bartram Choice will strive to make the community resilient to the negative impacts of gentrification. This will happen first by replacing all of the existing Bartram Village units one-for-one with new public housing units on site and having PHA retain ownership of the site. In addition, the units developed wil have long-term affordability restrictions.

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Responding to the market The housing plan is appropriate in the context of the local housing market as supported by a market study conducted by Econsult Solutions.

Affordable Housing The Market Analysis indicates the need for affordable housing. Approximately half of neighborhood households earn less than $30,000, or 40 percent AMI. These households are unable to afford the current market rate of rental housing in the area. Given the extent of low-incomes in the neighborhood, and if there is any upward pressure on rents or home prices, the need for affordable housing will increase. The Choice neighborhood has seen minimal new housing stock product in recent years and some elements of the economic development plans for the area will be completed in the next two years. Given the waiting lists at other affordable housing developments produced using low income housing tax credits, and the income levels in and around the Choice neighborhood, absorption could occur at rates of 15 to 20 units per month.

While the homeownership rate in the Choice neighborhood is currently low, the density of high-wage employment opportunities in University City, the competitive real estate market directly north of the Choice neighborhood, and the abundance of new amenities and developments in the area will likely attract homebuyers in the near future. Econsult estimates that if development of new and renovated units is timed appropriately as to not saturate the market, properties in this area could sell within 30 days with price points at or slightly above the average sale price ($225,000 to $275,000) in the near term.

The Market Analysis indicates that rental rate growth will probably lag but that absorption will increase in the near term with the completion of some elements of PIDC’s Innovation District and the swing bridge connecting Center City to the neighborhood along the Schuylkill River Trail.

Market-Rate Housing While the Choice neighborhood currently has a high need for affordable housing, recent and upcoming developments in and around the area, as well as a competitive real estate market directly to the north, will likely heighten demand for market rate housing—both to rent and to own—in the near future, especially in the northern portion of the Choice neighborhood. The area provides opportunities for traditional row home development, stacked row homes, and multifamily buildings. Boarded up rowhomes in this area also provide opportunities to redevelop the existing housing stock into productive use at a lower cost than building new.

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DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN END OF NEIGHBORHOOD

Housing Strategy

Alternatives for the target housing site, Bartram Village, were considered but not pursued because (1) rehabilitation cost exceeds $100 million—over 80% of the Total Development Cost of the entire site—determining that it is not economically viable to rehabilitate Bartram Village units. Residents have also expressed desire to demolish and build new. (2) Building 500 units of new housing elsewhere is unrealistic in Philadelphia—a fast growing city with high demand for developable land.

The housing plan serves neighborhood residents and targets renters we wish to attract across a broad range of incomes. The housing plan serves existing neighborhood residents by providing high-quality, energy-efficient, new rental housing in the neighborhood as a strong alternative to the existing old housing stock. Two senior-only apartments in the Bartram Choice

housing plan will serve existing Bartram Village seniors and households on PHA’s senior waitlist. At the same time, the site plan is designed to respond to Bartram Village’s young population with playgrounds for all ages, a multi-use playing field, basketball court, and walking trail. The housing plan aims to attract new renters in the following ways. (1) Target marketing to thousands of anticipated employees on PIDC’s new industrial campuses. (2) Philadelphia families seeking affordable new homes with easy access to jobs in Center City, University City and Philadelphia International Airport. (3) Millennials and retirees (Philadelphia’s fastest growing cohorts) looking for new housing with easy access to world class recreational assets.

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Summary of Housing Program

moment, there are a large number of children, large families, and many intergenerational households living at Bartram Village, so the plan includes a significant number of 3- and 4-bedroom units.

Currently, there are 1,056 bedrooms in 500 units at Bartram Village. The housing plan proposes 1,169 bedrooms in 544 new residential units on the Bartram Village site. Of the total, 500 units will replace those currently on the site. The remaining 44 “non-replacement units” will be market-rate rental units or affordable homeownership.

Responding to the desire of current residents to live in townhomes, there is a total of 277 townhome style units in the plan. There are also seven walk-up apartment buildings and one multi-family building. Older residents expressed a strong desire for dedicated senior buildings. As a result, two senior buildings with a total of 90 units are located along Lindbergh Boulevard to ensure easy access to retail, services, and transit. Up to 41% of the units could be made accessible. In addition, the plan proposes a total of 352 parking spaces.

In addition, there is the potential to locate approximately 50 units “off-site” on a parcel next to Bartram Village and the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School. The types of units and the design of the site are still being considered.

The basis for the unit mix was informed by the market analysis as well as the needs and preferences of current Bartram Village residents and the surrounding neighborhood. At the

Housing Program | Bartram Village Site Unit Type

Total

Unit Size (Bedrooms)

Parking

159

Townhome

Homeownership (Townhome)

Senior

156

104

544

145

228

116

Multi-Family

Stacked Townhome

Walk-Up Total

352

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Open space design vision

CONNECTIVITY

WELLNESS

IDENTITY

Provide outdoor activities, enriched plantings, and amenities for all ages

Cultivate & restore an authentic identity that is active and green for the Bartram Village site as a whole

Enhance connectivity and safety by strengthening connections to transit stops and bike/ped trails

Develop welcoming open spaces that maximize the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need for outdoor space and recreation and foster a vibrant urban neighborhood.

CONNECTIVITY

The streetscape and public realm, including paving, lighting, planting, and environmental graphics, will be designed with the goal of providing a strong Bartram Village neighborhood character that is adaptable to future public realm improvements. A pedestrian network is proposed between Lindbergh Boulevard, where one will encounter a series of outdoor programs that celebrate local culture and businesses, and foster spontaneity and informal gathering.

WELLNESS

The open space framework for Bartram Village will balance strategies of land use and economics with green infrastructure, mobility, and public spaces to support the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term well-being and sustainability.

The plan for the redeveloped Bartram Village site incorporates an intentional, well-designed, connected network of open spaces that offer programming for people of all ages and generates social, economic, and environmental benefits for existing and new residents. A comprehensive planting design will draw peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention and convey a sense of pride and identity to the neighborhood. Innovative and sensitive integration of plants will encourage habitat complexity and species diversity.

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IDENTITY

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AVE.

STRE

ELMW OOD

56TH

57TH

STRE

58TH

STRE

BARTRAM HS PLAYING FIELDS (potential for shared use)

Project Context

LINDBERGH AVENUE

POTENTIAL OFF-SITE DEVELOPMENT

East Coast Greenway

to South Philadelphia

RICHARD ALLEN PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL

56TH STREET GATEWAY

Bartram

Anticipated site of Woodland A cademy (Early C hildhood Ed) w / demo kitchen for use w/ Bartram’s Garden

PIDC BARTRAM’S SOUTH INNOVATION HUB

Bartram’s Mile Trail

BARTRAM’S P PUBLIC GATH

Schuylkill River | 134

LEGEND

Trolley Stops

ENU

STRE

S AV

5 4TH

GR AY

Potential Bus Stops

Potential Bike Share/ Storage

Schools

Bike Lanes

to Center City

Trolley

Gateway

Long-term anticipated site of Outdoor Picnic Area

BARTRAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GARDEN

Village

AV E

Pedestrian Trails

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PLAZA POINT HERING SPACE

N FT 500

0 100

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Project Context STREET NETWORK

The main street network is designed to create stronger connections between Bartram Village, Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden, and the neighborhood while building awareness and use of existing civic and cultural spaces.

DESIRED FLOW

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The site design aims to improve safety and shape a more walkable environment by adding a walking path besides the street sidewalk that connects major green spaces along the main walking loop.

Site Analysis VIEWS TO ENHANCE SAFETY

Open spaces were designed to be very visible from people’s homes to place more “eyeson-the-street” and encourage a sense of ownership to enhance safety. A couple of high points are designed to provide outdoor amenity spaces with views of the waterfront.

ACTIVE FRONTAGE

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The streetscape along Lindbergh Avenue will feature attractive storefronts and paths into the site, inviting people to enjoy the open spaces that are designed to host flexible programming and encourage informal gatherings.

Illustrative Site Plan

D A V

1 16

56TH STREET

4 11

5 9

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L I N D B E R G H B O U L E VA R D

H A R L E

LEGEND

FLEX LAWN

GATEWAY GROVE

POLLINATOR GARDEN

RAIN GARDEN

TRELLIS & SEATING

CREATIVE PLAY / PLAYGROUND

BARBECUE & PICNIC TABLES

COMMUNITY GARDEN

BASKETBALL COURT

SEATING AREA

GREEN ROOF, TYP.

BLOSSOM WALK

OVERLOOK TERRACE

OUTDOOR FITNESS

ENTRY PLAZA

139

100

FT 500

SITE GATEWAY

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BARTRAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GARDEN

Social Uses & Programs

3 3 3

1 1

ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES

A |

BARTRAM’S GARDEN

B BARTRAM’S PLAZA

C PICNIC AREA

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SANKOFA COMMUNITY FARM AT BARTRAM’S GARDEN

COMMON GREEN

EVENT LAWN

OVERLOOK TERRACE

PARK TRELLIS

BBQ AREA

OUTDOOR FITNESS

BB COURT + MURAL ART CREATIVE PLAY

GARDENS

POLLINATOR GARDEN 3

SEATING AREA

NATURE PLAY 2

FLEX LAWN

GATEWAY GROVE

COMMUNITY GARDEN

RAIN GARDEN

BARTRAM PLAZA

WELLNESS LOOP

STREETSCAPE

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BLOSSOM WALK

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Planting Framework

Existing Trees Green Loop Trees Boulevard Trees Street Trees Blossom Walk Trees Other Accent Trees

Canopy and accent trees add visual interest to the streetscape and support a more pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. The heritage trees along Lindbergh Ave. were retained as part of the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural heritage.

CANOPY TREES

Boulevard

Street Trees

ACCENT TREES

| Blossom Walk

Others

Green Loop

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Ground Plane Planting Palette

Lawn Pollinator Garden Stormwater Feature Plants

The transformation of Bartram Village presents an opportunity to create a design that is highly seasonal, with a year-round dynamic and diverse planting palette, without becoming too complex or costly to maintain. Creating a planting design that is unique to the region can provide a sense of ownership and identity for the community, and become a social tool to help sustain the community.

P O L L I N AT O R G A R D E N

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S T O R M WAT E R F E AT U R E P L A N T S

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Stormwater Management Strategy

• HP

• LP

• HP

• LP

Bioretention Rain Garden Grass Swale Tree Pit Green Roof

With a focus on creating public spaces for residents to gather, relax, exercise, and celebrate, Bartram Village’s common green, streetscape, gardens and plazas, are envisioned to be operated as highperformance infrastructure components that also accomodate everyday life and social activities.

BIORETENTION AT PARKING LOT/STREET

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GREEN ROOF

RAIN GARDEN

GRASS SWALE AT PERIMETER

STORMWATER TREE PIT

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145

146

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HOUSING PRECEDENT: CLAYTON MARKET IN VANCOUVER, BC [BY MOSAIC HOMES]

LANDSCAPE PRECEDENT: MARIPOSA PARK [WRT]

Architectural and Urban Design Character

connections to the Bartram’s Mile Trailhead along the river, and will soon become a major entry point for others heading to Bartram’s Garden, a new Woodland Academy building, and PIDC’s Innovation Hub.

The overarching vision for a renewed Bartram Village is as much a celebration of the site’s unique location next to Bartram’s Garden— Southwest Philadelphia’s “backyard”—and the Schuylkill River, as well as the area’s rich botanical and ecological history, as it is the integration of nature and active living as a way to encourage positive health and well-being and manage trauma and stress. The site design emphasizes pedestrian movement, connections to open space, Bartram’s Garden and the riverside trail, and opportunities for social interaction and enrichment. Connections to the neighborhood and to Bartram’s Garden are reinforced through a major gateway at Lindbergh Boulevard and 56th Street and a revitalized entrance leading to Bartram’s Garden along Harley Avenue (near 54th Street). The Lindbergh and 56th Street intersection is conceived as the main entrance into Bartram Village, framed by mixed-use development and public plaza space. 56th Street provides

The corner entrance at 54th Street/Harley Avenue will be activated by ground-floor retail space and a public plaza that opens up into Bartram Village, creating a welcoming entrance for the community. A grove of trees will run along Harley Avenue with a new walking path, enhancing the visibility and entrance to Bartram’s Gardens.

Emphasizing Safety and Community Fostering a sense of safety and community cohesion is another priority of the site design. The mixed-use buildings along Lindbergh Boulevard will bring amenities and resources closer to residents while activating the corridor. Paying close attention to the orientation and

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proximity of housing units to the site’s open spaces and circulation routes ensures the creation of defensible space and “eyes on the street” throughout the site. Smaller open spaces are distributed along walking paths with clear views so that they do not feel unsafe or isolated.

Two multifamily buildings are also nestled towards the river end of the site, in order to take advantage of the views towards Center City. [Note: An alternative format for these two buildings is being considered, a series of townhomes.]

The site is interwoven with a number of walking loops of different lengths that can be used as an exercise network as well as a pleasant way to get from one destination to another. Major public open spaces, programmed for play and gathering, are disbursed throughout the site to ensure equitable access to a variety of places and activities.

are combined with a more modern pallette of larger windows, door overhangs, and textures, materials. The larger mix-edue buildings and walk-up apartments face Lindbergh Boulevard creating a more prominent street edge. These building types share similar design elements and materials with the townhomes to create a unified community or village feel.

All of these elements will create a compact, pedestrian-friendly and mixed-use village that is carefully woven with the neighborhood through the use of an interconnected network of paths, sidewalks, streets, and bike routes providing connections to public transportation, retail, parks and open space, and to the wider neighborhood.

The community building sits prominently alongside a central open space in the heart of the site forming a central gathering place. The location next to the green is designed to enourage use of the outdoor areas during programs and events.

The realities of the site’s topography also informed the site design, allowing natural slopes and embankments to become features of interest while still creating more logical internal circulation for all modes of travel. A tree-lined median along the major street that runs through the length of the site forming a green thread that unifies the site. Some of the large heritage trees will also be preserved wherever possible, particularly along the frontage of Lindbergh Boulevard, where they will be integrated into a linear pedestrian plaza.

Blending with the Neighborhood Blossom at Bartram

To tie the site design into the neighborhood, the reimagined Bartram Village integrates a variety of townhomes that reflect Philadelphia’s rowhome tradition with a more contemporary twist. Traditional featues such as gabled roofs HOUSING PRECEDENT: MERIDEN COMMONS [WRT]

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Building Types

The Plan calls for a total of 544 new residential units. Of the total, 500 units will replace those currently on the Bartram Village site. The remaining 44 â&#x20AC;&#x153;non-replacement unitsâ&#x20AC;? will be market-rate rental units or affordable homeownership. (In addition, the plan is exploring the site adjacent to Bartram Village to house approximately 50 more non-replacement residential units.)

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BUILDING TYPES 2 OR 3-STORY TOWNHOME

D 3-STORY WALK-UP APARTMENTS

3-STORY STACKED TOWNHOME

COMMUNITY BUILDING

SENIOR APARTMENTS (WITH RETAIL ON 1ST FLOOR)

JOB-TRAINING/COMMUNITY USE (1ST FLOOR)

G OFF-SITE (TBD)

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GOAL 3:

Enhance the physical health of residents by expanding access to a wider range of quality health services. neighborhood residents rated it as “good” to “very good.” However, the quality of more specialized services such as substance abuse and addiction, vision care, and mental health care was not rated as highly. Based on the survey findings, a bigger gap than the availability of services appears to be an awareness of health services and programs and ease of getting to medical facilities.

It is encouraging to see that a relatively high percentage of Bartram Village and neighborhood residents have health insurance and a primary care doctor (or office) to visit when in need of care. Four medical facilities are located in the community, which also borders the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia campuses. Bartram Village residents who responded to the survey acknowledged that many medical services are available locally but with a few exceptions— substance abuse support and domestic violence resources. Regarding the quality of basic care, the majority of Bartram Village and

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WHAT WE HEARD How the quality of healthcare could be improved:

#1 More healthcare

facilities in the neighborhood

OF B.V. SURVEY RESPONDENTS HAVE A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR

A shuttle to major medical facilities

90%

hours #3 Extended at health-related

Strategy A:

facilities in the neighborhood

Coordinate quarterly on-site information sessions and forums with health partners to address specialized resident concerns including anxiety, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

Designate an area in the redeveloped Bartram Village to host regular healthrelated events, including an annual health resource fair that promotes affordable health insurance and regular check-ups, and provides on-site vision, dental, and hearing screenings.

Strategy B:

This strategy is to raise awareness of local health services and to provide annual screenings that will be timed in advance of the school year so that required health forms for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school activities can be completed. Designing a multipurpose space in the Community Building on-site at Bartram Village will serve as an important resource for the entire community. Paying particular attention to features that could accommodate health screenings and provide privacy will inform the design, making it easier to hold regular health-related events.

These forums will address some of the more specialized needs of residents that they indicated are not readily available.

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WHAT WE HEARD Top 3 health conditions facing BV residents 96%

OF B.V. SURVEY RESPONDENTS HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

Depression, Anxiety, PostTraumatic Stress

95%

Strategy C:

Asthma / Breathing Issues

Strategy D:

In partnership with CHOP’s Community Asthma Prevention Program (CAPP), hold bi-monthly workshops and information sessions to increase awareness of air pollution and asthma prevention on-site at Bartram Village.

Utilize PHA Outreach Coordinators to promote training opportunities, workshops and events to residents of Bartram Village. In order to better promote, evaluate and improve the effectiveness of resident programs, PHA recently restructured the Resident Programs and Partnerships (RPP) Department. The goal is to enhance existing relationships or establish new partnerships, implement initiatives and develop ways to ensure that residents are aware of and able to easily access all PHA programming. The restructuring includes the following key team members to ensure the vision of the team is achieved: Vice President of Programs and Partnerships, Director of Resident Relations and Youth and Director of Workforce Development and Homeownership. These team members will actively publicize events and be responsible for referrals of Bartram Village residents.

High Blood Pressure

OF B.V. SURVEY RESPONDENTS’ CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

Asthma is the most common chronic illness diagnosed in children, and it’s the number one diagnosis for admission at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It is also the top health concern cited by Bartram Village residents. The CAPP program is designed to increase knowledge about asthma; improve the quality of life for children with asthma; and train members of the community to teach their peers about asthma.

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Strategy E:

Create and monitor a Facebook Group that serves as an information hub to share information on programs and resources at Bartram Village and in the Bartram Choice neighborhood.

ASTHMA PREVENTION PROGRAM

One of the major findings of the Bartram Village resident survey is that residents are not aware of many of the programs and resources available to them either on-site or nearby in the Choice neighborhood. Creating a directory of services or an “information hub” will provide a one-stop location that is easily accessible to Bartram Village residents and Choice neighborhood residents. Resources will cover a wide variety of services and programs such as health and wellness, adult and children’s exercise and recreation, childcare, tutoring, GED instruction, and youth activities.

Recognizing that many asthma triggers are caused by house issues such as mold, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) created the Community Asthma Prevention Program Plus Home Repairs program (CAPP+) as a part of the hospital’s Healthier Together initiative. The program aims to address the impact of unhealthy housing on pediatric asthma outcomes as well as reduce asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations in West Philadelphia.

The Facebook Group will be promoted through a marketing campaign using social media and more traditional means of communication such as refrigerator magnets. The Facebook Group site could also be programmed as the home page on computers at the Bartram Village computer center. On-site PHA program coordinators will also promote the directory to residents at various events.

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CAPP community health workers make an initial home visit to evaluate the house for eligibility for home repairs, which is then forwarded to the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC). PHDC then conducts a property assessment and provides basic repairs for the homeowner.

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GOAL 4:

Establish an environment that promotes positive mental health and healing. Throughout the initial phases of the Bartram Choice planning process, residents of all ages as well as educators, service providers, and public safety officials reiterated the persistent threat of violence and associated impacts on residents. This goal aims to provide a variety of tools and resources to assist residents of all ages in coping with stress and trauma. It also seeks to create a soothing and peaceful environment onsite at Bartram Village.

Violence and trauma and the resulting stress and anxiety are major factors affecting the lives of residents in Southwest Philadelphia. According to the Philadelphia Police Department Crime Mapper, over 1,000 crime incidents occurred in Southwest Philadelphia in the first seven months of 2019. In 2010, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Clinical Scholars at the University of Pennsylvania and the Health Annex in Philadelphia collaborated on a report, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Addressing stress and violence in Southwest Philadelphia,â&#x20AC;? that recognized the depth of this challenge and aimed to develop a model to support those affected by violence.

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WHAT WE HEARD < 20%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE ALLOWING CHILDREN TO WALK AND PLAY OUTSIDE

What would make it easier for B.V. residents to exercise? #2

44%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE AT NIGHT

New local gym/ indoor fitness locations nearby

Better, brighter lighting on main streets

21%

RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE DURING DAY

22%

OF B.V. RESIDENTS THINK IS SAFE FOR SENIORS

Strategy A:

SAFETY

Greater feeling of safety

Integrate comfortable, green, and inviting outdoor spaces that invite meditation and foster healing. There are many recent studies that demonstrate the wide-ranging benefits of spending time in nature. These include reduced risks of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, stress, and high blood pressure. This strategy is intended to create a variety of opportunities for residents and visitors to Bartram Village to spend time outdoors in pocket parks, healing and community gardens, and other safe green spaces that allow time for reflection, yoga, reading or socializing. Programming will be offered to activate these spaces and invite residents to use them regularly.

Encourage residents to attend on-site programming that promotes positive mental health and healing from trauma including group sessions, mediation and yoga sessions, and individual counseling.

Strategy B:

PHA will grow its partnership with the EMIR Healing Center to provide alternative therapies and support to Bartram Village residents using a holistic and trauma-informed approach to violence prevention and trauma. Services will include group sessions, mediation and yoga sessions, and individual counseling..

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158

EFFECT OF GREENING VACANT LAND ON MENTAL HEALTH OF COMMUNITYDWELLING ADULTS

Strategy C:

Conducted by Eugenia C. South, MD, MS; Bernadette C. Hohl, PhD; Michelle C. Kondo, PhD; John M. MacDonald, PhD; Charles C. Branas, PhD, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association July 20, 2018.

Maximize daylight and views of nature, and promote physical activity through the design of the buildings and site at Bartram Village.

The design of the buildings will incorporate healthy building materials and take advantage of natural light and views outside to foster a strong connection between residents and nature. Features such as well-lit walking loops of different distances, outdoor gym equipment, a variety of play spaces, and connections to the Schuylkill River Trail will make it easy and safer for residents young and old to be physically active.

The greening interventions involved simple strategies such as trash removal and cleanup, planting new grass and trees, installing low wooden perimeter fences, and performing monthly maintenance.

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A trial study exploring the effect of greening vacant land on mental health revealed the correlation between greening of vacant lots and crime/health indicators. In neighborhoods below the poverty line, when lots had greening interventions, the study showed significant social and mental health benefits: people were 75 percent more likely to go outside and socialize, feelings of depression went down by 41 percent, and self-reported poor mental health showed a reduction of almost 63 percent for those living near greened vacant lots. Findings also revealed that gun assaults decreased by 29 percent.

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GOAL 5:

Improve access to nutritious, affordable food.

Bartram Village sits on the edge of a large section of the Choice neighborhood that is identified as either “low” or “no access” with regard to food security. This is compounded by the low incomes of Bartram Village and Choice neighborhood residents, making it very difficult to buy nutritious and affordable food.

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KEY TAKEAWAY: FOOD ACCESS Aside from the semi-regular farmers market on-site, Bartram residents have low accessibility to fresh food.

This map shows how easy or difficult it is to walk to a healthy food source depending on where you live in the neighborhood.

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CONNECT Physical framework

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WHAT WE HEARD

44%

54%

NOT ENOUGH MONEY

31%

TOO DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE STORE

12%

NOT ENOUGH TIME TO SHOP OR COOK

OF B.V. SURVEY RESPONDENTS EXPERIENCE NOT HAVING ENOUGH FOOD AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK

Why B.V. survey respondents experience not having enough food at least once or twice a week?

Strategy A:

Establish a monthly delivery of fresh fruit and veggies on-site at Bartram Village.

Philabundance has partnered with PHA to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the Community Center at Bartram Village for residents to enjoy at least once a month.

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WHAT WE HEARD 76%

What job training programs would be of most interest to B.V. residents?

OF B.V. RESIDENTS THINK THAT A GROCERY STORE IS “REALLY” OR “SOMEWHAT NEEDED” IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

NURSING/HEALTH CARE

60%

Strategy B:

CUSTOMER SERVICE

OF B.V. RESIDENTS RATED THE AVAILABILITY AND OF HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND FOOD IN THE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD AS “FAIR TO VERY POOR.”

COOKING

Open a community kitchen on or near Bartram Village with cooking and nutrition classes as well as space for culinary entrepreneurs.

Another significant factor is the development associated with the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan, which is anticipated to bring approximately 3000 new jobs adjacent to Bartram Village in the next XX years. Employees working on the these two modern industrial campuses will undoubtedly be interested in coffee, lunch, and catering services. Investing in, training and nurturing local entrepreneurs will position them so that they can benefit from the anticipated development.

Establishing a shared kitchen responds to several desires and needs expressed by residents throughout the planning process. Food service is one of the top fields in which Bartram Village residents are employed and the second most desired job training program by Bartram Village residents is in the field o f cooking.

There was also a strong interest expressed by residents in task force discussions to have a shared Health Department-Certified kitchen in order to develop home-grown catering, baking, and food-related small businesses. This is a need that has been identified in the Choice neighborhood by organizations such as ACANA, which works closely with the large immigrant population in the community. Given the initial language and educational barriers that immigrants often face, small businesses such as restaurants and cooking provide employment opportunities that are more accessible.

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Strategy C:

Strategy D:

Create a community garden space on the redeveloped Bartram Village site.

Promote Summer Foods Program at Bartram Village for children ages 3-18 to have breakfast and lunch from June to August to residents and local community members. Strategy E:

Expand number of farm stands in neighborhood.

Bartram Village residents are fortunate to live next to Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden, home to the Sankofa Community Farm. The farm produces and distributes over 15,000 pounds of produce each year, some of which is offered at the weekly summer farm stand at Bartram Village. Creating a small community garden space on-site at Bartram Village, would enable residents of all ages and abilities direct access to a garden plot where they could harvest their own fresh fruits and vegetables. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;sharing shedâ&#x20AC;? near the garden would provide a communal set of tools that could be checked out by residents.

Strategy F:

Coordinate with corner stores to increase fresh food offerings. Strategy G:

Expand pilot program to Bartram Village in partnership with Lyft to transport residents to local grocery store at reduced cost.

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165

Thrive

166

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167

THRIVE GOALS

Opportunities to excel and thrive.

Develop a pathway to educational success from early childhood to high school graduation.

The intent of the Choice Neighborhood Plan is not simply to replace housing at Bartram Village but to connect residents to educational resources, training programs, and meaningful opportunities so that they may thrive. There are several investments planned in and around the Choice neighborhood, and there are many needs in the community that can be turned into opportunities. The set of goals under â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thriveâ&#x20AC;? are designed to position residents to take advantage of these significant developments.

GOAL 1

GOAL 2

Nurture a culture of literacy at Bartram Village.

GOAL 3

Cultivate a local employment training ecosystem that aligns with neighborhood needs and opportunities.

GOAL 4

Bridge the basic skills divide.

GOAL 5 Strengthen the identity and vibrancy of the neighborhood.

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BALTIM

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OO W TH

48th & Woodland Playground

ST ST

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TO PE N C

E ST

s bb Co

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ai Tr

Creek

Planned Innovation Hub

e Av

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Bartram’s Garden

BLV

LIN

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ill R Woodland Academy

• Community Resource Center • New retail space along Lindbergh Avenue • Job Training Center • Shared Kitchen Incubator • Spotlight on Reading • Placemaking elements that highlight area history and culture

Planned Innovation Hub

uylk

RA ST

E AV

REDEVELOPED BARTRAM VILLAGE

unk

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PASS

AVE

LVD

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Priority green / safe / clean streets

THRIVE Physical framework

N 0

0.1

0.2

This map shows the ways in which the THRIVE theme will physically transform the neighborhood through new job opportunities, better access to enrichment resources, and enhanced commercial corridors.

0.5

Miles

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Elmwood Park

LIN DB ER

Commercial Corridor

HL A

James Finnegan Playground

School

New Retail and Services

University City

E AV

SEPTA Trolley Line

Water

D 70

SEPTA Regional Rail

IRP O

63rd & Lindbergh Park

000

Job Training Opportunities

20,

Connell Park

Plan Boundary

Park / Open Space

OVATION HU B INN TO

BARTRAM VILLAGE

E AV

A DL

N SI

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Mt. Moriah Cemetery

Deritis Job Training Playground Opportunities

Sch

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DELAWARE COUNTY

Grays Ferry Crescent Trail Park

N TIO GRAY S FER Pennovation Center VA RY AV O N E ER T EN

34th St

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on gt

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I GF

Kingsessing Recreation Center

E AV

Cobbs Creek Park

E AV

61st & Baltimore Playground

University of Sciences

Y TB HI

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The Woodlands Cemetery AV E

Washingt on Ave

Christy Recreation Center

Y ERSIT UNIV

TO U NI V 80 ER ,0 AN 00 D 30 CE 0,0 N

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57TH ST

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GOAL 1:

Develop a pathway to educational success from early childhood to high school graduation.

At Bartram Village, where 48% of residents are 18 or younger, it is critical to create a supportive pathway to education that begins with the youngest residents and continues through high school. Educational success and attainment create confidence and opens doors to employment and self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, the under-performance of Philadelphia schools is frequently discussed in the news. Public schools in the Bartram Choice neighborhood are among lowest performers in the city (see Chapter 2: About the Neighborhood).

Wissahickon Valley Park

Fern Rock Transportation Center

£ ¤

Frankford Transportation Center

Tacony Creek Park

§ ¦ ¨ 95

!1 !1

§ ¦ ¨

KIPP

Broad Stre et

Fairmount Park

! 8

! ! ! !! University !1 !1

Cobbs Creek Park

!! 2

! 2

!1 !1

Market Stre 2

676

City

Benjamin B. 32 Comegys

!5 !

Mastery Charter

! !Alcorn Elementary! 3

!1 3

! 4

UICS

!1 !1

Richard Allen Preparatory

Riv er

2 3

Center City

!!! Thomas G Morton !! ! Tilden 2

§ ¦ ¨

Add B Anderson

Schuylkill

Findings of the needs assessment indicate that many school-age residents of Bartram Village attend the local elementary schools but because of the quality parents also seek other opportunities including charter and private schools. The planning process strived to build on the success of Tilden Middle School, a “Community School” that goes far beyond what occurs in the classroom. Other strategies enhance the educational resources for students on-site at Bartram Village.

Pennypack Park

§ ¦ ¨ 95

Philadelphia International Airport

§ ¦ ¨ 76

FDR Park

Sports Complex

Navy Yard Delaware River

N * 20 results not shown on map including: 7 not specified, 2 online,1 homeschool, 2 universities

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BARTRAM VILLAGE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD Locator Map

Bartram CN Boundary

SEPTA Broad Street Line

Miles

WHAT WE HEARD

What additional services would help B.V. children do well in school?

60%

OF B.V. RESPONDENTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CHILDREN UNDER 5 ARE ENROLLED IN A FORMAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM SUCH AS HEAD START

Individual tutoring

Summer programs

Average reading level for Bartram HS grade is 3rd grade

GRADUATION RATE FOR BARTRAM HIGH SCHOOL

Strategy A:

67%

Homework club onsite at Bartram Village

Expand Parent/Child+ Home Program to Bartram Village to support parents and infants/toddlers.

Establish direct resource to childcare centers in the local area that provides quality childcare and slot availability through partnership with PHLPreK to bring awareness of program registrations for children under the age of 5.

The Parent/Child + Home Program is an evidence-based school readiness model that provides both young children and their parents with tools to read and learn. The program offers one-on-one home visits with families as well as monthly parenting workshops on-site at Bartram Village.

Strategy B:

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With such a young population and high percentage of single parents at Bartram Village and throughout the neighborhood, there is a major need in the area for affordable, quality childcare nearby. This strategy will help parents understand the importance of quality early childhood education and guide them in navigating available resources. PHLPreK is a resource for both families and childcare centers to ensure quality early childhood education services in the city of Philadelphia including registration for early childhood education programs and Headstart programs and technical support for childcare providers that enroll in the Keystone Stars Program.

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WHAT WE HEARD If you have high-school aged children, what path are they taking after high school? (B.V. residents)

What are the reasons that people struggle to get a job or stay employed in the neighborhood?

ARE PURSING JOB TRAINING OR AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

32%

20%

Issues finding childcare

Criminal history

Lacking the skills needed for available jobs

ARE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

ARE GOING ON TO A 2- OR 4-YEAR COLLEGE

Strategy C:

Enhance after school programming at Bartram Village to include the arts, reading, science, and music with partner agencies.

PHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision for afterschool programs involves partnering with local agencies that are embedded in the community to offer after school activities that provide a wide range of learning opportunities, including STEM, music and career exploration.

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Strategy D:

Establish pre-apprenticeship opportunities and internships to expose students to careers, skills advancement and graduation.

TILDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL: A COMMUNITY SCHOOL

The newly established Director of Site Based and Senior Programs at PHA will strengthen relationships with local agencies in the neighborhood and direct residents to upcoming initiatives for summer programming for students to attend and take advantage of career exploration and training opportunities. New partnerships include recruiting efforts for residents to attend local programs including Career Exposure Summer Program at Tilden Middle School, Hammers with Heart Trade Camp at The Common Place and summer work opportunities with WorkReady.

Tilden Middle School located at 66th Street and Elmwood Avenue is one of the first “community schools” in Philadelphia, a program developed under Mayor Kenney in 2016. Community schools address a neighborhood’s unique needs within the school setting, bringing together community organizations, volunteers, and programs to serve the school’s youth, parents, teachers, and neighbors. At Tilden, area residents can take advantage of job hiring fairs, English language classes, a free monthly food pantry, free nutrition classes in partnership with VETRI, and free BenePhilly services. Tilden is also working to provide physical, social, emotional, and mental health services for local families.

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GOAL 2:

Nurture a culture of literacy at Bartram Village. children’s education by assisting with homework or reading to them. If you can’t read, you can’t take advantage of all of the knowledge and resources now available on the internet, or many of the other support systems that the Bartram Choice planning effort aims to put in place. Getting people of all ages to become proficient readers at Bartram Village is a priority. This goal strives to create an environment that encourages reading in a variety a ways; ways that make it fun, make it easy to do, make it happen at any age.

One of the most surprising findings from the needs assessment survey was the number one amenity desired by Bartram Village residents—a library. Two libraries are located not far from Bartram Village so it was curious that another library was desired. Follow up discussions at Task Force meetings and with local services providers and educators, as well as first-hand observations by the planning team indicated that literacy is a challenge for residents of Bartram Village as well as the larger Choice neighborhood. A frustration often shared by parents is not being able to participate in their

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WHAT WE HEARD 27-42%

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN THE FOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO ARE READING AT GRADE LEVEL FOR GRADES K-2

Requested neighborhood amenities:

(ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL PROGRESS REPORT FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2017-2018)

Library

Strategy A:

Two out of three Philadelphia students are struggling to read well by 4th grade

PHILLY READING COACHES

Establish a Philly Reading Coaches initiative at Bartram Village to provide volunteers to boost reading skills of children at Bartram Village.

This strategy focuses on building reading skills for young children from kindergarten through 3rd grade by giving them the individualized attention so that they may improve their skills. Recently launched in Philadelphia, Philly Reading Coaches pairs trained volunteers with young readers for 30 hours of reading time. Each child who participates in the program is given 25 books to take home. According to the program, children who can read well by 4th grade have a better chance for high school success. Currently, two out of three Philadelphia students are struggling to meet this goal.

Philly Reading Coaches is a new program based on the SMART program that has been running in the state of Oregon for over 26 years. Studies show significant improvement in studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to read with just 60 minutes of one-on-one reading time a week over the course of a school are also more likely to complete two more years of school on average than kids with no books in their home. Visit www. getsmartoregon.org/theory-of-change/ for more information.

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year. Children with 25 books in their home

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Strategy B:

Strategy C:

Design a reading nook in the Community Building with a lending library and encourage a variety of book clubs–senior, kids, multi-generational.

This strategy strives to assist adult residents who may wish to improve their reading skills as well as furthering their education. PHA’s newly established Director of Site Based and Senior Programs will strengthen relationships with providers in the neighborhood and direct residents to these resources, including Tilden Middle School, Southwest Catholic Social Services and PHA’s Workforce Development Center, which opened in 2019. The program coordinator will also review potential barriers such as childcare and transportation to remove obstacles and encourage participation.

A comfortable, bright and inviting space in the new Community Building will celebrate the power of reading. Reading is knowledge and knowledge is power. By creating an attractive space where residents of all ages can gather to read or simply borrow a book will help spark interest in reading regularly. Outdoor spaces will also be designed with benches for reading and reflection. Residents will also be given guidance and encouraged to set up book clubs across multiple generations.

Utilize PHA Workforce Navigators from the Workforce Center to guide residents to literacy, GED and Adult Basic Education Classes.

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GOAL 3:

Cultivate a local employment ecosystem that aligns with neighborhood needs and opportunities.

The rate of unemployment in the Choice neighborhood is quite high at 15% compared to the already high rate of 11% in the city. At Bartram Village, 68% of work-able residents are unemployed. This correlates directly to low incomes. Yet job hubs are nearby and accessible by transit. This goal focuses on three distinct target groups: those aged 18-24, un- and under-employed, and those seeking re-entry. A major emphasis is to better align training programs to local employment positions and to simulate local job opportunities that help improve neighborhood conditions such as building repairs, green infrastructure, and quality childcare.

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WHAT WE HEARD What transportation-related issues present a challenge in daily life for B.V. residents? #2 Road condition/ potholes

Customer Service

Cost of transit services

#2 Cooking

Pedestrian safety

68%

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT BARTRAM VILLAGE

Strategy A:

#1 Nursing / Healthcare

[ACCORDING TO DATA PROVIDED BY PHA MARCH 2018 – RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG WORK-ABLE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS]

Philadelphians. Its Green City, Clean Waters program is beautifying neighborhoods, fighting extreme summer heat, creating natural habitats, enhancing public space and schools and even making neighborhoods safer. It’s also creating green jobs in the city that provide high-value employment opportunities for residents. The Bartram Choice planning effort is working with PowerCorps and the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation REBUILD initiative to create local training opportunities to enable residents to take part in the green jobs economy.

Collaborate with providers and local employers to create training programs for green jobs, child development, and construction that meet employers needs and provide full-time opportunities for residents, including partnership with PowerCorps, REBUILD, Property Maintenance Guru Training and landscaping training.

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Philadelphia’s innovative Water Department is hard at work installing green infrastructure at nearly every scale throughout the city to manage stormwater and water quality for

In an area with such a high percentage of children and single parents, finding affordable quality daycare nearby is another ongoing challenge. Providing local child development associate (CDA) training opportunities will give local residents marketable skills and equip the community with higher skilled caregivers.

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The age, condition and expense to repair and maintain most of the housing in Southwest Philadelphia presents a constant challenge for homeowners. Addressing this need with local contractors presents a tremendous opportunity to build local capacity, put people to work, and stabilize building conditions. Similarly, local talent could be developed to make repairs under Philadelphia’s Healthy Rowhome Project, Basic Repairs System, and Community Asthma Prevention Program. [see descriptions of these programs in “live”]

Job training programs of the most interest to BV residents.

WHY DOES WALKABILITY MATTER? Seizing an Opportunity to Create a Local Job Eco-System

As illustrated on the map to the right, Kingsessing and Southwest Philadelphia are very walkable, much like the rest of the city. But it is interesting to note that as you move towards the Schuylkill River, walkability decreases. Bartram Village and areas to the north and south, in particular, are in great need of more amenities within walking distance.

More an more cities are measuring walkability because of the positive benefits on resident health, the environment, and the community.

One way the plan is seeking to prepare for and respond to this anticipated development is by developing a shared catering kitchen and business incubator on-site. The goal is to assist residents of Bartram Village and the neighborhood in obtaining culinary training while providing a Health Department-certified kitchen for enterpreneurs and small business owners. At the same time, this facility could provide other programming as well such as nutrition and healthy cooking classes for the community.

According to Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health dashboard, â&#x20AC;&#x153;people living in neighborhoods with high walkability tend to be active in how they get around, including walking and using public transportation. Research has found that people in such neighborhoods tend to have lower rates of diabetes and obesity than those living in less walkable areas. Walkable neighborhoods often have less vehicle use, which can lead to improved air quality.â&#x20AC;?

Since development of some of the industrial parcels along the river is anticipated, there is an opportunity to develop small businesses such as a coffee shop, catering company, and restaurants to support the anticipated development.

How do we measure walkability?

Measuring walkability looks at how accessible it is to reach a variety of services or amenities such as grocery stores, parks, and restaurants in a neighborhood. It does not, however, consider crime-related factors. Philadelphia generaly ranks higher than many cities in the U.S. in terms of walkability. To learn more visit: https://www.walkscore.com/walkableneighborhoods.shtml

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KEY TAKEAWAY: SERVICES There is demand for more amenities to support the eastern part of the neighborhood

Like much of the rest of Philadelphia, Kingsessing and Southwest Philadelphia have very good walkability. There are a few key locations, however, that are in need of additional services. These areas are highlighted in darker blue.

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Walkability

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WHAT WE HEARD Job readiness programs that would provide the most benefit to B.V. residents:

#2 Job fairs

A rent freeze program for the first year of employment

Small business loans

Job placement, computer training, literacy classes, resume assistance, career development and re-entry

Continuing education leading to a job-related certificate or degree program

what types of services do feel are missing in the neighborhood?

Strategy B:

Enhance partnership with PowerCorps to enroll residents from all housing sites including Bartram Village. Programming includes re-entry services.

PowerCorps provides career pathways for young adults (ages 18-26) in green infrastructure, electrical and urban forestry. Residents will earn a stipend, receive mentorship and technical training in land care and environmental stewardship.

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GOAL 4:

Bridge the basic skills divide.

The World Wide Web or the internet provides a wealth of information right at people’s fingertips. Unless … you aren’t very comfortable using a computer or don’t have access to a computer… or you are not a proficient reader or perhaps you aren’t familiar with using email and social media. And now that most job applications are online and communication is through email, even finding employment opportunities can be out of reach or incredibly frustrating to navigate. The purpose of this goal is to assist residents in developing skills that are critical to have in today’s world.

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WHAT WE HEARD

what types of services do feel are missing in the neighborhood?

Local newspapers/ newsletters

Word of mouth, friends, family

Internet/social media

Strategy A:

Job placement, computer training, literacy classes, resume assistance, career development and re-entry

How do B.V. residents typically find information about their neighborhood?

Utilize PHA Workforce Navigators to connect residents to financial literacy, job readiness workshops, and homeownership workshops. Workforce Navigators will also host quarterly workshops on-site at Bartram Village to share program information, recruitment events, and market services.

PHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workforce Development Center opened in April 2019 to provide one-stop services for training and literacy programming to residents and the community. Within the Workforce Development Center, residents will have access to job readiness classes, FSS program and services, Section 3 Job Bank Orientations and training program information sessions. Shuttles for residents will run to the center from Bartram Village for major recruitment events or employer events.

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WHAT WE HEARD

22%

Many residents have limited internet and computer access.

OF RESIDENTS HAVE A COMPUTER WITH INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME

Strategy B:

Create a Computer Lab Monitor training program to up-skill Computer Lab Monitors at all PHA sites including Bartram Village to assist residents with computer literacy and job search needs in on-site computer labs.

In partnership with Urban Coalition Affairs, host digital literacy Fix IT events annually to provide digital literacy instruction to senior residents at Bartram Village.

Strategy C:

This intergenerational activity is designed to assist senior residents with mobile devices. Bartram Village Summer Camp attendees work with senior residents to bridge the digital divide by reviewing how to access applications, the internet, social media platforms, and also how to adjust device settings.

Through the assistance of a VISTA volunteer, PHA will design a training program to provide detailed instruction how to operate a computer lab, provide technical support to residents, and Microsoft Office training.

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GOAL 5:

Strengthen the identity and vibrancy of the neighborhood.

[GATEWAY VIGNETTE - TO BE DEVELOPED FOR FINAL PLAN]

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WHAT WE HEARD

How would B.V. residents would like the next generation to view this community in the future?

#3 Benches #1 Brighter lighting

Beautiful, safe, clean, green, peaceful with artwork, paintings and a sense of history; a place to be proud of

#4 More trash/ recycling bins

#2 Safer, more visible crosswalks

Strategy A:

What improvements should be made to Woodland and Chester avenue corridors?

Create neighborhood gateways at key intersections with signage, public art, and enhanced pedestrian crossings.

Gateways are a powerful placemaking strategy that can be used to celebrate a neighborhood’s identity, history, and assets while helping to orient visitors. Several potential gateways have been identified through the planning process, including 56th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, 49th Street and Woodland Avenue, and 65th Street and Woodland Avenue.

a highly visible gateway for the area and a major entrance to Bartram Village. The vision is for a “green” gateway that celebrates the area’s horticultural history, incorporates green infrastructure and integrates safer, more visible crossings for pedestrians, as well as bicyclists connecting to the 58th Street Greenway. A plaza space on the Bartram Village site will frame the enhance to the gateway, and may also incorporate features such as public art or banners.

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With all of this anticipated development, 56th and Lindbergh offers the potential to become

65th and Woodland is a focal point of the recent study prepared by ACANA with the Community Design Collaborative that explores creating a cultural identity along Woodland Avenue.

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The 56th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard intersection is a key entrance point to the Schuylkill River Trail system from the Southwest neighborhood, but it is rather hidden currently. This intersection will soon become a major point of entry to the Logistics Hub that is planned along the Schuylkill River directly south of Bartram Village. Bartram’s Garden is also planning exciting projects nearby, including a new mussel hatchery and float lab. In addition, Woodland Academy, a highly regarded early education center, is developing a new school building along 56th Street.

49th Street and Woodland Avenue is a major entry point into the Choice neighborhood from both University City to the north and Center City, as people drive across the Grays Ferry Bridge and land in Southwest Philadelphia. This intersection is identified as a Focus Area in the University Southwest District Plan, which recommends placemaking and mixeduse development along surrounding streets to generate more activity. The plan also strives to connect people to the Schuylkill River Trail, which begins at 49th Street and Botanic Avenue on this side of the river.

Strategy B:

Highlight the rich history and culture of Southwest Philadelphia through public art, placemaking, and wayfinding signage, where appropriate.

There are many opportunities to celebrate this neighborhood’s diversity of stories, drawing on— its botanic history, its Native American roots, the industrial legacy, famous past residents, and the African and other immigrant communities who have called Southwest Philadelphia home in the past and today. These themes could be explored through public art at major gateways and in public spaces, adding to existing murals and other artistic elements already present in the neighborhood. Other placemaking opportunities include new bus/trolley shelters (see page X (Connect Goal 4) and green stormwater infrastructure interpretation as well as planned public plaza spaces along Lindbergh Boulevard at the redeveloped Bartram Village. Wayfinding signage exists in the neighborhood but is not cohesive. Finding creative and feasible ways to build upon what exists, without duplicating efforts carried out by Parks and Recreation, Bartram’s Garden, and others, will enhance the neighborhood’s identity as an asset-rich place that is easy and enjoyable to get around.

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Strategy C:

Strategy D:

Improve cleanliness and aesthetics of Woodland Avenue and Chester Avenue commercial corridors through additional trash cans and coordinated clean-up efforts.

Raise awareness among business owners of existing storefront improvement and business assistance programs.

Residents have expressed a reluctance to do much of their shopping along these corridors because of their reputation as being unclean and not well looked after. However, several organizations are already working to improve cleanliness along certain sections of Woodland and Chester. For example, ACANA manages a volunteer street and sidewalk cleaning program on Woodland Ave between 58th and 66th Streets and hopes to expand its reach in the near future. Building upon these efforts, as well as working with city agencies such as the Commerce Department and Streets Department to bring more trash cans and clean-up programs to the neighborhood, will improve the shopping experience and attract more visitors and patrons.

The Choice neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bustling commercial areas, primarily along Woodland and Chester avenues, are full of interesting businesses and helpful services. However, residents report that they would frequent these corridors more often if they were cleaner, better cared for, and safer. The City of Philadelphia Commerce Department offers a variety of programs and technical assistance to businesses hoping to improve or expand services. These include a popular storefront faĂ§ade improvement grant program, a security camera grant program, equipment and interior improvement loan programs, and one-on-one support through a local business services manager. ACANA has so far assisted five businesses along Chester Avenue in completing the storefront improvement program. Building on these efforts will further enhance the corridors and motivate more business owners to make improvements.

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How weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Going to Implement the Plan!

With so many planning efforts underway or recently completed in the Bartram Choice neighborhood, residents are, understandably, ready for action.

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[DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATING PHASING SUMMARY - TO BE COMPLETED IN FINAL PLAN]

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A road map for implementation Housing plan

Now that we have a plan for where we want to go, the next step is to map out how to get it accomplished. This plan was designed to be both visionary and aspirational but also highly practical and achievable with the partners and resources we have identified. Successful implementation of the plan will rely not only on the efforts of our key partners and stakeholders, but effort and persistence of residents and members of the Choice Neighborhood community.

Our Core Team Members, who have been deeply involved in the formulation of the plan, will become the major engines overseeing the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implementation. PHA, as lead grantee, will oversee implementation of the plan and will regularly report on progress to Bartram Village residents.

PHA and Pennrose

PHA and Pennrose will lead the implementation of the Housing Plan, working together to achieve the redevelopment of Bartram Village into a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood that better serves residents and connects them to the rest of Southwest Philadelphia. As the selected developer, Pennrose will redevelop Bartram Village in nine phases, utilizing a variety of funding and financing mechanisms detailed in the following section. PHA will also work closely with the City of Philadelphia and other dedicated stakeholders to implement the other pieces of the Housing Plan that seek to enhance housing quality, expand homeownership opportunities, and manage vacant properties in the broader Choice Neighborhood.

Neighborhood improvements PIDC and City Departments such as OTIS, REBUILD and PHS

Supportive services for people PHA and neighborhood partners

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Property Management Pennrose Management Company (PMC) has extensive experience managing public, HUDassisted, mixed-income projects. Along with this experience comes the knowledge of LIHTC compliance requirements.

PMC, an affiliate company of Pennrose, is a real estate management firm initially established in 1981 to provide management services exclusively for properties developed by Pennrose. PMC has its own compliance department which ensures that all the regulatory requirements for HUD, LIHTC, FHLB and other local financing sources are being met. PMC is also a Certified Management Agent with PHFA and a Certified Management Organization. PMC and PHA have long been committed to providing supportive services and will work together to ensure a smooth transition for residents through relocation.

PIDC will take the helm of neighborhood-related improvements, coordinating the Plan’s vision to “Connect” with that of their investments directly north and south of Bartram Village as part of the Lower Schuylkill Master Plan. They will work jointly with relevant City departments, including the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability and others to transform priority streets according to this plan. PIDC and PHA will also coordinate closely with key stakeholders actively working in the neighborhood on greening, commercial corridor revitalization, and public safety.

Finally, PHA will also take the lead in implementing the goals and strategies related to supportive services, which fall under the themes of “Live” and “Thrive.” PHA will enhance and expand its existing suite of services offered to Bartram Village residents. They will also coordinate closely with other service providers in the neighborhood as well as philanthropic and institutional funders to bring new resources to the community.

Implementing our vision for the Bartram Choice neighborhood will require many hands.

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Preliminary Financing Plan

Implementing a plan of this size and scale will require funding from a variety of sources. Outlined below is a snapshot of the preliminary budget.

Preliminary Funding Sources Activity ACTION ACTIVITIES

Total

Source

CNI ACTION ACTIVITY GRANT

RMB- 9%, 4% LIHTC, FEDERAL HOME LOAN

ON-SITE HOUSING NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENTS

BANK, PHA CAPITAL FUNDS, PHFA PHARE

[TO BE COMPLETED]

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

The following sources will be explored to fund the Bartram Choice Neighborhood Plan:

++ Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC): Administered by the IRS, this program is the largest source of new affordable housing in the U.S. The program does not provide housing subsidies rather it provides tax incentives to encourage developers to create affordable housing. LIHTC will likely be the primary source of funding for the residential component of this plan with several rounds of credits required to complete the plan.

++ New Market Tax Credits ++ CNI Funds ++ Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) ++ Foundation Funding ++ Other funding

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Resident Relocation

PHA has an extensive track record of providing effective and resident-sensitive relocation services, and this experience will be used to help ensure a successful effort at Bartram Village. Relocation Coordinators will meet with families well in advance of the move to complete a family assessment, explain relocation benefits, and to discuss temporary and permanent relocation options and other relevant issues. They will be available to provide assistance and support to residents throughout the relocation process, coordinating with Pennrose and communicating relevant information on reoccupancy schedules and the like on a regular basis.

The Housing Plan calls for the demolition of all units at Bartram Village. PHA has committed to one-for-one replacement of all public housing units that will be demolished. The Housing Plan narrative provides details on the phasing and unit counts for replacement units to be developed on-site. Relocation Coordinators will work closely with impacted families to ensure that they fully understand their replacement housing options, and that they have the tools and resources needed to make informed choices.

Record Keeping

PHA will also track residents and keep them informed of construction progress and the timing for the availability of replacement housing throughout the temporary relocation period. Relocation Coordinators will work with Pennrose to ensure that re-occupancy of replacement units proceeds smoothly and with as minimal disruption to the returning families as possible.

Services

PHA will assist in identifying units that meet each familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs including accessibility needs, as appropriate. Options that will be available and offered to residents include temporary relocation to another PHA public housing unit until replacement units are ready; permanent relocation to another PHA public housing unit; and, temporary or permanent relocation to a private market unit using a Housing Choice Voucher where such vouchers are funded by HUD. Residents who use vouchers will be provided with a detailed briefing on key aspects of how the voucher program works, including counseling on identifying housing units in high opportunity areas, how voucher portability works, and fair housing laws and regulations.

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Bartram Village resident families will be provided with comprehensive and coordinated relocation services by PHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Relocation Department. Counseling and other support services will be offered both during the temporary relocation and reoccupancy periods to help with the moving process and ensure a minimum level of disruption to families. Residents will be provided with all notices and benefits as required under the relevant regulation and/or statute including payment for moving and associated costs.

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Early Action Activities

The planning process builds excitement but the time between completing a plan and seeing it realized can seem endless. There is no need to wait to get started on smaller activities identified during the planning process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Early Action Activitiesâ&#x20AC;? will be carried out while the planning process is still ongoing, in order to create momentum leading into implementation and inspire residents with real, concrete improvements they can see and take part it.

The following proposed early action activities address some of the needs identified by the community during the planning process:

++ Cleaning and greening the median on Lindbergh Avenue, and the vacant lot at 56th Street, Elmwood Avenue and Lindbergh Avenue or other high priority locations

++ Launching a demonstration program that transforms vacant PHA properties into affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income neighborhood residents in partnership with Southwest CDC, ACANA, and Southwest Philadelphia District Services ++ Hosting a Career Fair at Bartram High School

++ Creating a Community Facebook page that serves as a directory of neighborhood services, educational resources, youth activities, job training programs, and recreational opportunities

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++ Installing additional trash and recycling bins along Lindbergh Avenue in front of Bartram Village

++ Ryan Bailey—Pennrose Properties

++ Holding a neighborhood clean-up of Deritis Playground

++ Office of Councilman Johnson

++ Tom Dalfo—SVP, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC)/Neighborhood Task Force Chair

More details will emerge soon as to who will be responsible for carrying out each of these Early Action Activities as well as the timing.

++ Office of Councilwoman Blackwell

The committee first developed criteria to evaluate potential activities submitted by the task forces. The final list of Action Activities to be pursued will be submitted to HUD by November 27, 2019. The established criteria are as follows:

Action Activities

++ Developing a shared community kitchen to incubate start-up businesses and provide nutritional programming

Action Activities are physical improvement, community development, and economic development projects that enhance and accelerate the transformation of the neighborhood. An Action Activity Committee was set up in summer 2019. Members are listed below:

++ Sheila Anthony—President, Bartram Village Resident Council

Criteria

Points

ALIGNMENT WITH CHOICE PLAN PRIORITIES

BENEFIT TO BARTRAM VILLAGE RESIDENTS

RATIO OF LEVERAGE FUNDS: FUNDS REQUIRED

READINESS TO PROCEED

ABILITY TO BUILD COMMUNITY CAPACITY/COHESION

++ Tonya Robinson—Vice President, Bartram Village Resident Council

++ Nicholas Dema—PHA, Executive Vice President, Planning & Development

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++ Adriane Parks—Neighborhood Resident/CoChair Neighborhood Task Force

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Preliminary Schedule

Preliminary Schedule (by phase) START DATE Month

HOUSING PHASE 1 PHASE 2

Year

PHASE 4

PHASE 5

PHASE 6 PHASE 7

PHASE 8 PHASE 9

PHASE 10 OFF-SITE

Month

[TO BE DETERMINED]

PHASE 3

COMPLETION DATE

TASK

Year

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Plan Implementation Connect

Outlined below is the timeline, metrics and responsible parties for each of the plan’s goals, strategies, and Action Activities. It will be used to measure progress.

Goal 1: Develop a clean and green network of streets along primary circulation routes that connect major services, amenities, and green spaces to Bartram Village and the waterfront. Strategies

A. Add trees, greenery, and green stormwater infrastructure

# additional “greened acres” as measured by PWD; # additional street trees planted

Lead Agency & Partners

Timeframe (ST, MT, LT)

B. Work with the Clean PHL litter program to provide

additional trash cans and

[TO BE COMPLETED]

organize regular neighborhood clean-ups of priority streets C. Clean and green highly visible vacant lots along

priority streets and educate

neighborhood residents about landscape maintenance/tree pruning

Goal 2: Foster a safe neighborhood day and night for residents of all ages. A . Upgrade and add additional lighting within redeveloped Bartram Village and on Lindbergh and Grays avenues from 49th Street to 58th Street

Funding

City capital &

PIDC, PWD, PHS

to priority streets

Metrics

operating funds

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B. Add security cameras and signage indicating their

presence within Bartram Village, especially where kids get off school bus and interior C. Design a demonstration improvement project along Lindbergh & Grays avenues between 49th and 58th streets to improve safety and appearance of nuisance uses (e.g. “chop shops,” after-hours clubs, illegal dumping)

D. Incorporate “design for

of site

safety” principles into the

redevelopment of Bartram

Village and future development along Lindbergh Boulevard and Grays Avenue

Goal 3: Create a healthy outdoor environment that promotes healthy activities and social experiences. A. Integrate a variety of “play”

spaces for all ages on Bartram Village site

B. Clean up and prune

overgrown weeds and trees at Deritis Playground

C. Increase awareness of recreation opportunities

and increase recreational programming both at and near Bartram Village

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D. Expand bicycle infrastructure and amenities both at and near Bartram Village, including bike parking and storage, trail connections, and a bikeshare station

E. Create safe, well-lit walking loops of different lengths throughout Bartram Village Garden and the Schuylkill River Trail with mileage signage

and connecting to Bartramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Goal 4: Enhance the existing transportation network through safe street crossings, trail connections, and increased walkability. A. Improve sidewalk conditions on priority streets B. Add traffic calming elements

and pedestrian crossings along Lindbergh and Grays Avenues from 49th to 58th

C. Enhance the safety and

comfort of the trolley and bus stops at 54th and Lindbergh,

55th and Lindbergh, and 56th and Elmwood

D. Improve and restore bike

lanes on Grays & Lindbergh avenues (49th to 58th) and improve the 58th Street Greenway

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Live Strategies

Metrics

Lead Agency & Partners

Timeframe (ST, MT, LT)

Funding Resources

Goal 1: Promote healthy, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the Bartram Choice neighborhood.

A. Launch a demonstration program to transform vacant PHA properties into affordable homeownership income neighborhood residents B. Promote the Healthy Rowhouse Project and DHCDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basic Systems Repair Program with bi-annual housing repair blitz and workshop for neighborhood residents, targeting priority streets C. Identify vacant buildings along

priority streets to be stabilized

opportunities for low- to moderate-

through Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doors and Windows Ordinance

Goal 2: Provide attractive, affordable housing and a healthy built environment at Bartram Village. A. Blend a variety of mixed-income

housing types at Bartram Village to meet the needs of residents. B. Use green building and

landscape design practices to

support the health and well-being of

residents and the site

C. Integrate green infrastructure to manage stormwater, protect water and air quality, and celebrate nature

Goal 3: Enhance the physical health of residents by expanding access to a wider range of quality health services. to host regular health events and provide on-site vision, dental, and hearing screenings

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A. Designate area in Bartram Village

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B. Coordinate quarterly on-site information sessions and forums with health partners to address specialized resident concerns including anxiety, domestic violence, and substance abuse C. Utilize PHA Outreach Coordinators to promote training events to residents of Bartram Village D. With CHOPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Asthma Prevention Program (CAPP), hold bi-monthly workshops and info sessions to increase awareness of air pollution and asthma prevention on-site at Bartram Village

E. Create and monitor a Facebook

opportunities, workshops and

Group that serves as an information hub to share information on

programs and resources at Bartram Village and in the Bartram Choice neighborhood

Goal 4: Establish an environment that promotes positive mental health and healing. A. Encourage residents to attend

on-site programming that promotes

positive mental health and healing from trauma including group

sessions, mediation and yoga

sessions, and individual counseling B. Integrate comfortable, green, and inviting outdoor spaces that invite meditation and foster healing C. Maximize daylight and views of nature, and promote physical activity through the design of the buildings and site at Bartram Village

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Goal 5: Improve access to nutritious, affordable food. A. Establish a monthly delivery of fresh fruit and veggies on-site at Bartram Village B. Open a community kitchen on or near Bartram Village with cooking

and nutrition classes as well as space for culinary entrepreneurs space at Bartram Village D. Promote Summer Foods Program at Bartram Village for children ages 3-18 to have breakfast and lunch from June to August to residents and local community members E: Expand number of farm stands in neighborhood F: Coordinate with corner stores to

increase fresh food offerings

C. Create a community garden

G: Expand pilot program to Bartram Village in partnership with Lyft to

transport residents to local grocery

store at reduced cost.

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Thrive Goal 1: Develop a pathway to educational success from early childhood to high school graduation. Strategies

Metrics

Lead Agency & Partners

Timeframe (ST, MT, LT)

Funding Resources

A. Expand Parent/Child+ Home

Program to Bartram Village to support parents and infants/ B. Establish direct resource to childcare centers in area that provides quality childcare and slot availability through partnership with PHLPreK to bring awareness of program registrations for children under the age of 5 C. Enhance after school

programming at Bartram Village

toddlers

to include the arts, reading,

science, and music with partner agencies

D. Establish pre-apprenticeship

opportunities and internships to

expose students to careers, skills advancement and graduation

Goal 2: Nurture a culture of literacy at Bartram Village.

A . Establish a Philly Reading

Coaches initiative at Bartram

Village to provide volunteers to

boost reading skills of children at Bartram Village

B. Utilize PHA Workforce

Navigators from the Workforce Center to guide residents to literacy, GED and Adult Basic Education Classes

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C. Design a reading nook in the Community Building with a lending library and encourage a variety of book clubsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;senior, kids, multi-generational

Goal 3: Cultivate a local employment training ecosystem that aligns with neighborhood needs and opportunities. A. Collaborate with providers and programs for green jobs, child development, and construction B. Enhance partnership with PowerCorps to enroll residents from all housing sites including Bartram Village. Programming includes re-entry services

local employers to create training

Goal 4: Bridge the basic skills divide.

A. Utilize PHA Workforce

Navigators to connect residents

to financial literacy, job readiness workshops, and homeownership workshops. Host quarterly

workshops on-site at Bartram Village to share program

information, recruitment events, and market services.

B. In partnership with Urban

Coalition Affairs, host digital

literacy Fix IT events annually to

provide digital literacy instruction to senior residents at Bartram Village

C. Create a Computer Lab

Monitor training program to upall PHA sites including Bartram Village to assist residents with computer literacy and job search needs in on-site computer labs

Blossom at Bartram

skill Computer Lab Monitors at

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Goal 5: Strengthen the identity and vibrancy of the neighborhood.

A. Create neighborhood gateways at key intersections with signage, public art, and enhanced B. Highlight the rich history and culture of Southwest Philadelphia through public art, placemaking, and wayfinding signage, where appropriate C. Improve cleanliness and aesthetics of Woodland Avenue and Chester Avenue commercial

corridors through additional trash

pedestrian crossings

cans and coordinated clean-up efforts

D. Raise awareness among

business owners of existing

storefront improvement and

business assistance programs

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Blossom at Bartram

211

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Live Strategies

Metrics

Lead Agency & Partners

Timeframe (ST, MT, LT)

Funding Resources

Goal 1: Promote healthy, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the Bartram Choice neighborhood. A. Launch a demonstration program to transform vacant PHA properties opportunities for low- to moderateincome neighborhood residents B. Promote the Healthy Rowhouse Project and DHCDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basic Systems Repair Program with bi-annual housing repair blitz and workshop for neighborhood residents, targeting priority streets C. Identify vacant buildings along

priority streets to be stabilized

into affordable homeownership

through Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doors and Windows Ordinance

Goa 2: Provide attractive, affordable housing and a healthy built environment at Bartram Village. A. Blend a variety of mixed-income

housing types at Bartram Village to meet the needs of residents. B. Use green building and

landscape design practices to

support the health and well-being of residents and the site

C. Integrate green infrastructure to manage stormwater, protect water and air quality, and celebrate nature

Goal 3: Enhance the physical health of residents by expanding access to a wider range of quality health services. A. Designate area in Bartram Village to host regular health events and provide on-site vision, dental, and hearing screenings