ALEX MICHAEL SMITH LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE alexmsmith11@gmail.com issuu.com/alexmsmith
EMPLOYMENT
City of Philadelphia – Department of Planning and Development – Division of Planning and Zoning Art and Urban Design Division – City Planner III (UD) January 2015 – Current + City Planner II (UD) January 2014 – January 2015 Urban Design Regulatory Review Management • Civic Design Review and Complete Streets Coordination • Supervise the preparation of Civic Design Review (CDR) meetings, coordinate the work of city planning staff, developers, architects, community groups (RCOs), City Council offices, and other city agencies • Organize, assign, and prepare recommendations and present findings to Civic Design Review Committee and Planning Commission in public meetings for large-scale building projects • Review and guide the physical and environmental development of the city through sound urban design principles and compliance with citywide policy initiatives including the City’s Comprehensive and District Plans, PCPC regulations, and Philadelphia Zoning Code • Oversee and advise recommendations of other city agencies for large-scale building projects’ public spaces and streets, review for adherence to the City’s Complete Street, Vision Zero and citywide mobility policies and reports
• Neighborhood Conservation Overlay (NCO), Façade / Garage Elevation, Art Commission and Public Space Reviews
• Supervise, manage, and coordinate seven regulatory review processes, with the goal of improving and enhancing the public realm of city neighborhoods, prominent streets and the built environment • Analyze, comment, and approve zoning and building permits, work with supervisors, other city agencies and community groups; review for conformity to zoning controls, development controls, and design guidelines for specific development parcels and special districts; review site plans, building elevations, streetscapes and landscape designs • Review, evaluate, and approve applications for new construction and renovations of buildings in several neighborhoods or zoning districts that must meet certain design standards to maintain the surrounding neighborhoods’ physical traits • Prepare recommendations and formulate solutions for streetscapes, plazas, parks, and other civic / public spaces - review oversees landscape elements, lighting, adjacent land uses, transportation linkages, signage and public art as part of the City’s Public Space Bonus, Art Commission or Sign Committee review processes
Urban Design Project Management • Broad, Germantown and Erie KaBOOM! Play Everywhere Philly Grant – Butler Triangle Plaza Enhancement Project Supervise team of four internal city and transportation planners and manage supervision of design firm consultant Lead staff meetings, prepare project work assignments and review project process with City Planning Senior Staff Secured and oversee project budget of approximately $130,000 in funding from non-profit and public entities Manage and coordinate project timeline - prepare grant agreements, direct purchase orders, review and implement design Oversee and schedule community and stakeholder engagement and participation programs with other city agencies, neighborhood groups, Mayor’s Office, and two City Council Offices and the BGE Task Force • Develop and prepare sketch renderings, illustrating proposed urban design programming and placemaking strategies • • • • •
• Frankford Avenue Corridor Multimodal Study • Supervise team of two internal city planners and manage five staff members of the regional planning agency consultant (DVRPC) for three-year corridor planning study • Advise and oversee internal and external stakeholder meetings, manage project work plan, generate monthly program reports • Manage coordination with sister agencies and consultant to analyze existing / proposed conditions along street • Facilitate reviews and direct implementation actions for safety and predictability improvements, focusing on Vision Zero strategies, zoning and development controls, and future work via public request for proposals (RFP). • Project examines opportunities to improve public realm, looking to slow vehicular traffic, improve walkability, and enhance safety for all corridor users along the city’s most prominent Northeast commercial street (Frankford Avenue)
• Citywide COVID Task Force and NACTO Pandemic Response and Recovery Grant • Co-project manager for DPD for Citywide COVID Task Force; TF consists of 60+ city employees from 9+ agencies • Advise and implement new policies and design guidelines, adhering to Federal, State, and Local health requirements for •
small business and restaurants, enabling use of public streets for outdoor retail, commerce, and dining Urban Design lead on NACTO Grant (City is one of ten national recipients of $25,000 grant) – focusing on Equity in Street Uses during COVID. Grant supports local businesses in underserved and majority minority communities of color
• Urban Design Division Project Manager: Lower Southwest + West District Plans
• Advise team of six community planners on design of public realm, in line with Department’s long-term, citywide visions • Create conceptual designs and sketch illustrations / renderings for District Plan Focus Areas, for individual development sites, redevelopment areas or public spaces. Supervise conceptual design recommendations on future land uses, zoning controls, development standards, transportation connections, and capital program projects • Initiate / manage plan implementation; coordinate efforts with municipal/state agencies, private stakeholders, and residents • Facilitate public meetings & charrettes; provide outreach, policy documents, project manage design and planning consultants
• City of Philadelphia Trail Master Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan Progress Report • Design and coordinate public facing documents identifying strategies / recommendations to increase walking and bicycling in the City by improving the safety, connectivity, convenience, and attractiveness of streets, bicycle routes, sidewalks and trails • Work with various city agencies to plan, prioritize, update, and implement safety, multimodal trail and bike/pedestrian initiatives recommended within citywide plans and current administration policies • Help coordinate public outreach and participation, design charettes, and create construction and maintenance schedules
• Philadelphia City Planning Commission Philadelphia2035 Annual Progress Report
• Manage, design, and create graphic-focused Philadelphia City Planning Commission Philadelphia2035 Progress Report • Assign project tasks to 12 planners - providing graphic, research, and policy guidance • Publicly present and distribute report for both internal and external stakeholders, communities, and City Council