On December 15^th ULI Philadelphia hosted the culminating presentation of the Grays Ferry Healthy Corridor Study at the Pennovation Center. The project brought together a panel of national experts, who, after completing an intensive three-day research and stakeholder interview process, presented their recommendations for including health within future planning processes for the Grays Ferry corridor (from Washington Avenue to Woodland Avenue and including the Grays Ferry Bridge). The panel’s final recommendations responded to overarching goals of the Grays Ferry Healthy Corridor project developed by a team of local stakeholders over a six-month community engagement effort.

Recommendations included transportation and infrastructure changes to improve access and health such as increasing green space and strategies for the redevelopment of vacant land; strategies to mitigate poor air quality; and action steps to support small business growth, retention and equitable development. National panelists recommended empowering novice developers and entrepreneurs with training and creating paths to access capital. The Grays Ferry National Study Visit presentation and comprehensive list of recommendations can be found here.

ULI is excited to announce that following the Grays Ferry Healthy Corridor National Study Visit, Southwest CDC, a local stakeholder heavily involved in the project, received a grant from LISC to expand the Jumpstart program concept to Southwest Philadelphia- an exciting and strong kick off to implementation.

This project was made possible by the ULI Global organization, through funds received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Colorado Health Foundation, and through the thoughtful leadership of the Local Leadership Chair, Julie Donofrio, Managing Director of PennPraxis. ULI is grateful for generous in-kind support from PennPraxis, the University of Pennsylvania Facilities and Real Estate Services and the Wharton Small Business Development Center and our hosts the Pennovation Center and the University of the Sciences.