On March 19, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) and the City of Philadelphia released the “Lower Eastwick Public Land Strategy” (LEPLS). The report concludes a two-year effort to obtain the input of Eastwick residents and other local stakeholders on the best use of some 180 acres of land owned or controlled by the City and frame how the city will develop the property in a responsible way to benefit the neighborhood and the city as a whole.
The comprehensive plan was put together through a series of public meetings by a strategy team from the consultants, Interface Studio, and a Steering Committee of community residents and public-sector stakeholders.
According to Margaret Cobb, an Eastwick resident member of the LEPLS Steering Committee, “It took a long time but I am pleased with the results. Greg Heller of the RDA lead us ably through the process. Also, I appreciate the work of Interface Studio for managing the operation. The result was a road map to increase the livability of Eastwick. This added value will help Philadelphia stand out. I look forward to the time when we have the grand openings for the proposed projects.”
In releasing the report, the PRA thanked the members of the strategy team, Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and the Southwest residents and public agencies that worked on the initiative.
A copy of the report is available online at https://philadelphiaredevelopmentauthority.org/community-engagement/lower-eastwick-public-land-strategy/
