February 2024
thebellwetherdistrict.com
The Bellwether District Dispatch We’re 6 weeks into 2024, and The Bellwether District team has hit the ground running. But before taking a look at the year ahead, allow us to reflect on how far we have come. In 2020, Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) acquired the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery and is currently remediating and redeveloping the 1,300-acre site into a premier logistics and innovation hub in South and Southwest Philadelphia. Work commenced at the site - subsequently re-named The Bellwether District - in June 2020 when HRP began safely abating and dismantling over 100 buildings, 300 tanks, and 950 miles of pipeline on the 1,300-acre site, as well as ongoing environmental remediation activities. Economic impact data prepared by Econsult Solutions for the City’s Refinery Advisory Group found that PES was responsible for an average of 1,950 direct jobs in a typical year. In 2018, the total employee count was just 1,100. The refinery had an estimated annual tax impact of $33.2 million to the City and $30 million to the Commonwealth. The Bellwether District will multiply this impact by orders of magnitude, while foregoing the harmful environmental impact of the refinery. Economic impact analysis data by Econsult Solutions, commissioned in a separate study, estimates that at full buildout, The Bellwether District will create approximately 19,000 direct, permanent jobs and have an estimated annual tax impact of $106 million to the City and $130 million to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. HRP has invested over $1 million, to date, in education and workforce development initiatives and over $350,000 in communitybased philanthropy, partnering with more than 30 Philadelphia-based civic and nonprofit organizations to build a more sustainable and equitable community. In October 2023, the HRP team celebrated the start of vertical construction at The Bellwether District. Significant infrastructure investment will reintegrate the site into the City via multi-modal transportation infrastructure and complete streets providing pedestrian and bike access. At full build, over 14.5 million SF of LEED-certifiable buildings providing over 6 million SF of rooftop solar capacity is planned and onsite infrastructure will accommodate electric vehicles and renewable fuel sources. And we welcomed Judith Rodin, former president of the University of Pennsylvania, as an advisor. There is a lot of work ahead, but we’re looking forward to continued partnership, consistent impact, and ongoing development.
For the second consecutive football season, The Bellwether District teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles to promote sustainable transformations and environmental stewardship via our Touchdowns for Sustainability initiative. For every touchdown scored during the season, The Bellwether District is investing in sustainability programs for a cleaner, greener and healthier Philadelphia. Check out how many TDs our Eagles scored this season, and stay tuned for the announcement of our 2024 Touchdowns for Sustainability recipients on this year’s Earth Day, April 22.
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How to do Business at The Bellwether District In Partnership with Council President Kenyatta Johnson
Date Wednesday, February 28th, 5 to 7pm Schedule 5:00 PM - Networking 5:45 PM - Presentations by HRP, ARCO, BSI, Clayco & Perryman Construction, and JDM Location The Navy Yard Courtyard Marriott 1001 Intrepid Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19112 Pre-Registration thebellwetherdistrictevents@hilcoglobal.com *Registration will also be available onsite
Let's Meet! Mark your calendars for 2024 Community Meetings and be sure to join us virtually to hear more about plans for The Bellwether District. Meeting topics and registration info will be shared in advance of each meeting. Stay tuned here or register for updates at the link in our bio. To suggest a topic, email: thebellwetherdistrict@hilcoglobal.com
February 2024
On February 28th from 5 to 7 PM, Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) will host an outreach event for local construction businesses interested in working on The Bellwether District project. During this in-person event, local firms will have the opportunity to meet with members of the HRP team and hear from our current general contractors on upcoming opportunities.
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Act 2 Public Meeting PB 881 Dike Roadway Pipeline Release Final Report On Monday, February 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., The Bellwether District will host a virtual public meeting to provide a summary of the investigation and remediation activities at the PB 881 Dike Roadway Pipeline Release area, which consists of 0.025 acres at the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery property. This release occurred on November 16, 2021. Register Here for ZOOM
February 2024
We’re Hiring Summer 2024 Interns Gain immersive and interactive professional development training and hands-on experience in HRP’s 6-week internship program.
What's Happening Around the Neighborhood Civic engagement starts early: Last month, our youngest friends at Abram Jenks School celebrated the inauguration of the first-ever fifth-grade student council. In preparation for the election, students registered to vote and cast their ballots in the school auditorium, which transformed into a polling place. Candidates hoping to represent their class ran campaigns and participated in a debate. Tour black history along South Street: The South Street Headhouse District is honoring Black History Month with its Black History on South Street: A Self-Guided Tour. For 2024, the SSHD has added new stops that will take visitors throughout the district to locations that have shaped the history and culture of the city.
Q UA L I FI C AT I O NS
J O B D E S CR I P T I O N
Incoming high school Juniors and Seniors
Interns will support the HRP team on a variety of projects related to the clean-up and transformation of The Bellwether District, an upcoming state-of-the-art logistics and innovation campus.
Students living or attending school in the following zip codes are encouraged to apply: 19142, 19143, 19145, 19146, 19147, or 19153
All interns will receive a broad education on HRP’s business and have the opportunity to specialize in one of six areas: Accounting/Finance, Administration, Corporate Affairs, Development, Environmental Remediation, and Project Management.
Candidates must be able to work both in-person and remotely Mon-Fri beginning in early July through mid-August
For full job descriptions, email mfioravanti@hilcoglobal.com or cdelva-phillips@hilcoglobal.com
The Bellwether District Year in Review 2023 was a year full of milestones on-site …but we can’t forget about the progress made off-site, connecting with our neighbors and building stronger communities! Below are some highlights of what we accomplished in partnership with our neighbors in 2023! Thank you to all our community partners for the work you do for South and Southwest Philly every day - we look forward to working together in 2024.
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