by Brion Shreffler –
People were pouring into the Convention Center and I suspected I was in the wrong place. The signs for The Home Show and an attendant inside told me as much; the planning meeting was across the street. I had my doubts that people would show up for a city planning meeting in Center City on a cold Tuesday evening. To my surprise there was a sizable turnout of around 140 people. Of course, this wasn’t just any planning meeting. The seventh of nine planned community meetings, it was part of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s ambitious Imagine Philadelphia project that aims to create a comprehensive vision for the city’s future.
Participants were randomly assigned to groups covering all the needs of America’s next great city, focusing on topics such as public works and utilities, effective green design, and tourism and marketing strategies. I just had time to introduce myself before the night began with various speakers tying the ambitions of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) to the rich planning history of Philadelphia going back to William Penn’s novel use of grid planning to our last comprehensive city plan, as designed by Edmund Bacon in 1960.
The new plan will employ architects, experts in green design, as well as city and economic planners. The host for the evening, Beverly Harper, president and CEO of the consulting firm Portfolio Associates- one of the major firms hired by the PCPC- stressed this was only the beginning; after the first round of meetings are complete, a series of “white papers” are to be developed which will outline a preliminary plan. Expected in late summer or early fall, the plan will then be presented to the public and followed with another series of community meetings.
We were instructed to work within our groups, which we did for the bulk of the meeting. Each table worked with one to two city planners. Though hesitant at first, my group began to list the many positives of our fine city such as our historical legacy, our extensive regional transportation system, and our status as an arts and culinary destination. But it was when asked to detail problems in need of remedy that we truly shone with alacrity. While most people at the table were from Center City or nearby environs, we had quite a cross section with others coming from Germantown, the Northeast, and South Philadelphia. Common problems such as unreliable public transportation, a dismal recycling rate (less than 6.5%), and a failing EMS were joined with more local concerns, such as improper drainage and flooding that has resulted from curb cutting in the Northeast, as well as the need for better schools in Germantown and other urban neighborhoods. Though our topic of focus was public services and utilities, we stressed several issues that all others found salient to the city’s growth, as evidenced by the brief presentations members of each group gave summarizing key points derived from their respective discussions; many saw accountability, competency, transparency, and attitude as the most important issues needed for our city’s success.
Indeed, accountability and competency was the common thread behind everyone’s complaints and ideas, as everyone recognized that a clear road map and strong oversight were needed to successfully move into the future, while leaving the mistakes of the past behind. While no one except myself raised the casino issue, it was nearly a pink elephant standing in the corner of the room, as time and again, transparency in all public affiairs was championed. Citing examples of poor vision and unfulfilled promise such as Philadelphia Wi-FI, the decision to stay with the Kensington El, the delayed and minimal use of new technology and effective programs such as red-light cameras and recycling initiatives, no one was quick to give the Planning Commission carte blanche.
In his concluding speech, Gary Jastrzab, the PCPC’s acting executive director, reiterated the group’s hope of having continued contributions from the public in this ongoing process. The planners we worked with were also keen to encourage everyone to maintain contact with them and to encourage others to take up an active role. Planners Mike Thompson and Bill Erickson enthusiastically answered the hodgepodge of questions I had as everyone was filing out of the room.
Would the Planning Commission have complete cooperation from the Zoning Commission? “Most definitely,” said Thompson. “Besides having Gary Jastrzab appointed by Mayor Nutter to the zoning committee, we have been given full assurance of cooperation.” As for Delaware Riverfront development, he said the PennPraxis plan is very much akin to the plan the PCPC has had for years, “so it seems well positioned to move ahead into reality.”
Concerning UPenn’s proposed expansion plan, which includes roofing over part of the Schuylkill Expressway, Bill Erickson stated, “more immediate concerns such as repairing bridges- the South Street Bridge for example- and roads take precendent for now. Such a project as endorsed by Penn would require a vast amount of federal funds to bring into reality.”
Attitude was another major issue, which seemed to carry with everyone as they exited the room. In order to effect such a change, we have to alter our preconceptions about our city and ourselves. We, however, need to do more than demand change. Active involvement is needed. We need to learn to expect more of our city, our officials, and ourselves. Hopefully city residents will meet the challenge presented to them by Imagine Philadelphia, a challenge that I hope will inspire and invigorate them in all aspects of civic life far beyond attending planning meetings, for we only encourage the stasis of corruption and uninspired thought through our apathy.
“Think big ahead to the year 2035,” we were told, knowing full well that the city has to transcend issues such as pay-to-play politics and the perilous divide between state and city goals. The wage tax has to be changed in order to encourage the best and brightest to actually stay or – gasp– come to Philadelphia. Maybe if we demand more in this process and all other aspects of city governance, then perhpas we truly can become the great city we long to be.
The next Imagine Philadelphia meetings are scheduled for tonight, Tuesday January 29th and Thursday January 31st.
2008-01-29 10:44:11
