The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia released its Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Report today, summarizing recommendations presented to Riverfront North Partnership as the organization prepares for a master plan study of the redevelopment of the Frankford Boat Launch on the Delaware River in Bridesburg, Philadelphia. The panel was asked to develop and evaluate a plan for the Frankford Boat Launch that encompassed:

• The recreational and open space needs of the community
• Climate resilience strategies to inform a forthcoming master site plan
• Strategies for turning the underutilized site into a regional destination for positive outdoor recreation

The interdisciplinary panel of volunteer experts met for two-days in July 2023 at the MaST Community Charter School II in Tacony, Philadelphia, about 10 minutes’ drive to the boat launch. On the first day, panelists met with Riverfront North Partnership team members for a tour of the boat launch and briefing meeting. Panelists then spent the afternoon interviewing more than 30 community stakeholders and concluded the day summarizing their findings and identifying common themes. On the second day, panelists drew from these themes and developed their main findings and recommendations which were presented to Riverfront North Partnership and stakeholders.

The panel – chaired by Charnelle Hicks, CHPLanning, and Barry Seymour, retired executive director formerly of DVRPC – saw almost unlimited possibilities for redesigning, upgrading, and expanding the Frankford Boat Launch to make it a more vital resource in the neighborhood and attract visitors from beyond the Northeast area. As one of the only public boat launches in Philadelphia, along with ample parking, and its apt location along the newly connected K&T Trail, situate it well for growth and adaption in coming years.

A challenge going forward is the site’s inherent vulnerability to river flooding and storm surges. The panelists recommended that seawalls be assessed for any needed repairs, and that the design process implement resilient features such as a renovated bulkhead, a living shoreline, and a boulder jetty, as well as reclaiming an expanse of concrete parking lot for a more flood-friendly meadow area.

Finally, the panelists cited funding and staffing as an ongoing concern for Riverfront North Partnership in maintaining the site. The panel recommended seeking grant funding and developing partnerships with local organizations and government agencies to lower cost and add people power to ensure that any future improvements can be safeguarded and enjoyed by the public.

“ULI convened a diverse group of experts to start thinking about the best and highest use of the Frankford Boat Launch” said Stephanie Phillips, Executive Director, Riverfront North Partnership. “It’s a complex site with tremendous potential, and this experience has been invaluable as we start a master planning process.”

ULI Expert Volunteer Panel:
·      Charnelle Hicks, CHPLanning (Co-Chair)
·      Barry Seymour (Co-Chair)
·      Kara Slocum, ARUP
·      Peter Simone, Simone Collins Landscape Architecture
·      Susanne Curran, Curran Realty Advisors LLC
·      I. Scott Renneisen, Terraphase Engineering
·      Brad Thornton, Ground Reconsidered
·      Emma Schad, ArcheWild

Study Stakeholders:
·      Delaware River Waterfront Corp.
·      Tacony CDC
·      Philadelphia City Planning Commission
·      PennDOT
·      SeaPhilly
·      Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership
·      Riverways Alliance
·      PA Sea Grant
·      Philadelphia Water Department
·      Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
·      Riverfront North Partnership Team Members
·      Riverfront North Partnership Board of Directors
·      Joe Hohenstein, State Representative
·      Trust for Public Land
·      Clean Air Council
·      Justice Outside
·      PA Environmental Council
·      Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
·      East Coast Greenway
·      Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
·      PA Fish and Boat Commission