GREENWAY
The Greenway Plan for the North Delaware – eleven miles from Pulaski Park to Glen Foerd, including gateways and connector streets – is to transform much of the vacant, former industrial properties along the riverfront into a destination frontage that will bring new distinction and identity to the City and stimulate the economy and culture of the entire City. Transformation of the North Delaware Riverfront will help to truly make Philadelphia the new “ River City.”

Where did this start?
The seeds of creating a “river renaissance” along the Delaware Riverfront north of Center City in the late 1990’s when then Congressman Bob Borski invited the region’s government and business leaders to take a boat cruise along the river and see the miles of vacant property as well as the opportunities presented by the underutilized riverfront lands. At the same time, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) was learning from local residents their desire to re-gain access to the riverfront for recreation, fishing and enjoyment, after the construction of I-95 which effectively cut off most of the Northeast neighborhoods from the river.

What has been done?
The creation of a public greenway corridor along the river’s edge is a central piece of the City’s Plan. To further this “green infrastructure” aspect of the Plan, Bob Borski and PEC invited riverfront businesses, leaders of riverfront Community Development Corporations, City agencies and cabinet members, non-profit organizations, and elected officials to participate on the Northeast Riverfront Task Force. The Task Force oversaw a North Delaware Riverfront Greenway Plan with funding from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that recommends further details of the boundaries and benefits of a riverfront greenway, plus its costs, phasing, financing and organization and maintenance. This Plan was completed in November, 2005 and officially endorsed by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission in September, 2006. A number of seed projects are already underway from Bridesburg to Torresdale that will implement aspects of the riverfront greenway and River Road and leverage and join with private investment in new mixed-use developments.

It was during this process that Congressman Borski formed a non-profit organization, the Delaware River City Corporation (DRCC). The entity was recognized by the City of Philadelphia and charged to guide and facilitate the implementation process for the Greenway Plan, to bring it to its fullest and best fruition.