North Broad TAP: Maintaining Physical & Social Infrastructure Along North Broad

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia released its Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Report today, summarizing recommendations for the North Broad Renaissance organization to improve revenue streams and work with existing stakeholders to leverage assets and develop additional resources for the creation and maintenance of open space and public infrastructure along North Broad Street. The report concludes a study that included interviews with nearly 30 stakeholders and a two-day meeting of real estate and land-use professionals, urban planners, and other experts.

The TAP was funded through ULI’s Curtis Infrastructure Initiative which aims to build movement to promote infrastructure solutions that are equitable and resilient and that enhance long-term community value. More information about the District Council Infrastructure Grant Cohort can be found here.

The interdisciplinary panel of volunteer experts, at the request of the North Broad Renaissance, explored a series of questions about how to secure sustainable funding for infrastructure maintenance and capital projects for open and green spaces in the community. The panel also identified how these recommendations can be applied to similar under resourced community organizations. The panel presented recommendations within the following set of policies and strategies:

1. Engage Local Businesses at the Triangle
2. Enhance Marketing and Communications Opportunities
3. Monetize Assets
4. Develop a Policy Framework for Resource and Financial Independence
5. Evaluate, Refine and Realign NBR’s Mission and Strategy

North Broad Renaissance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to economic development, maintenance, and vitalization of the North Broad Street corridor, stretching roughly 4 miles from City Hall to Butler Street. In 2016, the North Broad Renaissance released its five-year strategic plan. Based on responses from the community, the strategic plan identified the top four areas of focus that will help support the overall quality of life, which included Maintenance and Landscaping. In 2019, the organization finalized research for its next five-year strategic plan and maintaining green and open space continued to be a priority.

“The essentialness of well-maintained open and green spaces is known, and the community, city officials and thought leaders have all shared the importance of this throughout all communities,” states Shalimar Thomas, Executive Director of the North Broad Renaissance. “However, identifying sustainable revenue streams to create equitable investments in open and green spaces continues to be a challenge in low-income Black and brown communities, including challenges for the North Broad Street corridor and surrounding area.”

The panel—chaired by Gina Lavery, Senior Vice President at Econsult Solutions, Inc., and Jayne Spector, Design Director at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. — affirmed the research and ample evidence provided that green spaces play an essential role in communities for the mental and physical health of residents and for the economic development of the area. For organizations such as the North Broad Renaissance with fluctuating funds, limited staff time, and dependence on city services, these recommendations are intended to leverage existing partnerships and implement consistent revenue for the creation and maintenance of quality public spaces and infrastructure.
To view the full report, visit philadelphia.uli.org.  

ULI Expert Volunteer Panel:

• Gina Lavery, Senior Vice President, Econsult Solutions, Inc. (Co-Chair)
• Jayne Spector, Design Director, Langan (Co-Chair)
• Richard Asirifi, Landscape Architecture Intern, Langan
• Kenneth Johnson, Architect, Architecture, Urban Design, and Policy LLC
• David McHenry, FAIA, Principal, Erdy McHenry Architecture
• Terrence J. McKenna, Senior Project Executive, Gilbane Building Company
• David Mercuris, SVP Development, The Goldenberg Group
• Vaughn Ross, Founder, Rvesta
• Josh Yeager, Co-Founder, Bright Brothers Strategy Group

Study Stakeholders:

• AARP
• Called to Serve CDC
• City of Philadelphia Commerce Department
• City of Philadelphia Planning Commission
• Community Members and Leaders
• Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
• Fairmount Park Conservancy
• Mosaic Development
• North10
• Office of Council President Darrell Clarke
• Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability
• Philadelphia Association of CDC’s
• Philadelphia Horticultural Society
• PIDC
• Preservation Alliance
• SEPTA
• Shift Capital
• Shriner’s Children’s Hospital
• State Representative Darisha Parker
• State Senator Shariff Street
• Tioga District & TPP Capital Holdings
• Zion Baptist Church

Learn more about the ULI Philadelphia Technical Assistance Panel program here.

About ULI Philadelphia

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a nonprofit education and research institute whose mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.  Established in 1936, ULI today has more than 45,000 members around the globe representing the entire spectrum of land use and development disciplines. The Philadelphia District Council (ULI Philadelphia) includes nearly 900 members throughout the Philadelphia metro, Central Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. For more information, please visit philadelphia.uli.org

About North Broad Renaissance

The North Broad Renaissance (NBR) is a non-profit organization supporting vitalization efforts along North Broad Street, from City Hall to Germantown Avenue. With the support, feedback, and engagement of the community, the NBR is working to keep North Broad clean, green, and safe, making local hiring a priority, and improving the overall quality of life for all who visit, live, work and play on and around the corridor. Collectively, we are laying the foundation for inclusive business attraction, and inclusive economic development. Learn more at northbroad.org or search #ThinkBroad.