The Bellwether District Dispatch
Keeping the Momentum in 2026
As we enter a new year of redevelopment milestones, deeper collaboration and community partnerships, and continued investment in people through meaningful workforce development, we’re taking a look back at 2025 – a year that helped set the table for the dynamic year ahead at The Bellwether District. In 2025, our progress included:
• 127 community meetings & events
• 50 internships for Philadelphia middle & high school students
• 1,000+ trees planted to date
• 174 permanent jobs announced
• $2.7M community & workforce investment to date
• $100K in grants distributed through our Community Investment Fund
• 2,000+ construction jobs to date
Thank you to our partners, neighbors, and stakeholders for showing up, sharing ideas, and helping shape the future of the Bellwether District.
The Bellwether District in the News
You may have heard that DrinkPAK, the premier manufacturer of canned beverages in North America, has chosen The Bellwether District as its third manufacturing location and flagship East Coast operation. Welcoming DrinkPAK to The Bellwether District marks a major milestone in the transformation of the site into a 21st-century sustainable ecosystem for the region.
Fast Facts:
• DrinkPAK will lease a 1.4 million-square-foot, build-to-suit manufacturing facility, making it the largest industrial building in Philadelphia.
• The project represents a $195 million private investment.
• The partnership is expected to create 174 permanent jobs over the next three years, in addition to thousands of construction jobs.
DrinkPAK’s decision to locate in Philadelphia is a powerful validation of the City of Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s unparalleled advantages paired with HRP’s mission to reimagine strategic real estate as the economic engines of tomorrow. Holly Schroeder, DrinkPAK’s Vice President of Organizational Strategy recently spoke with the Philadelphia Business Journal about the company’s decision process:
“Finding the right site with the right partner with the right timeline, all signs pointed to the Bellwether District fairly early on. As we continued to work with HRP, we realized that it was the right site for us … They specialize in taking complex industrial sites and repurposing them for modern needs. With this industrial park, they have that very forward-looking, creative, problem-solving mentality that aligns with DrinkPAK’s mentality.”
We are proud to work alongside DrinkPAK to deliver large-scale investment and drive long-term economic opportunity for Philadelphia and the region. Please join us in welcoming DrinkPAK to The Bellwether District!
Read more:
Eyes on America’s 250th Birthday
This year, all eyes are on Philadelphia as we celebrate the United States’ 250th Anniversary in America’s birthplace. Events across the city are designed to ignite the spirit of Philadelphia by uplifting the city’s neighborhoods, cultures, and small businesses, and by giving everyone – from lifelong residents to first-time visitors – fun, meaningful ways to celebrate 2026.
The Bellwether District is proud to join these efforts as a major sponsor of America250PA’s Bells Across PA program. As part of the initiative, Philadelphia artists selected by Mural Arts Philadelphia will produce replica Liberty Bells that depict the histories, heroes, cultures, and traditions of their community. 22 bells will be displayed in Philly neighborhoods at the following locations:
Chinatown (10th Street Plaza — 10th and Vine)
City Hall/Center City (Municipal Services Building — 1401 JFK Blvd.)
El Centro de Oro/Fairhill (2739 N. 5th St.)
Fox Chase (Lions Park — 7959 Oxford Ave.)
Germantown (Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library — 68 W. Chelten Ave.)
Hunting Park (700 E. Hunting Park Ave.)
Logan Circle (The Franklin Institute — 220 N. 20th St.)
Mayfair (7343 Frankford Ave.)
Mt. Airy (United Lutheran Seminary — 7301 Germantown Ave.)
Ogontz (7182 Ogontz Ave.)
Olney (Greater Olney Library — 5501 N. 5th St.)Parkside (Memorial Hall — 4231 Avenue of the Republic)
Point Breeze (1336 S. 21st St.)
Roxborough (Roxborough Pocket Park — 6170 Ridge Ave.)
South Philadelphia (Piazza DiBruno — 914 S. 9th St.)
Southwest (Bartram’s Garden — 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.)
Torresdale (Glen Foerd — 5001 Grant Ave.)
University City (William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, 2955 Market St.)
West Philadelphia (3952-54 Lancaster Ave.)
Wynnefield (5320 City Ave.)
Along with being great public art that tells stories, Bells Across PA is designed to drive economic activity to the city’s neighborhoods and to inspire civic pride, two goals that The Bellwether District shares and supports in HRP’s commitment to Philadelphia.
Check out a sneak peek of the bells and the inspiration behind some of the designs: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=P8MvBibDH1E
In the Community
Build My Future Career Expo
The last quarter of 2025 kept us busy! From introducing students to careers in construction to welcoming neighbors onsite and giving back during the holidays, our work is always grounded in community. Here’s what we were up to:
The Bellwether District was proud to support the Build My Future Philadelphia career expo, a hands-on exploration event that introduced high school and middle school students from across the city to careers in construction, development, and the building trades. Interactive activities and direct engagement with industry professionals gave students a glimpse into today’s construction industry and its connections with STEM, design-build, and emerging technologies. Events like this reinforce The Bellwether District’s commitment to workforce development: exposing young people to real-life opportunities and career pathways into the jobs that will shape Philadelphia’s future.
In the Community
Welcoming the Community to the Bellwether District
During our annual public site tours, The Bellwether District team was proud to welcome members of the community and share our progress transforming this space into a sustainably built logistics, life-sciences, and innovation hub. To check out the materials shared during the tours, click here.
Giving Back for the Holidays
The Bellwether District team was grateful to once again partner with The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia for our annual Thanksgiving community dinner in Grays Ferry. Together, we provided fresh hot meals and Thanksgiving meal kits to neighbors in need. Thank you to everyone who joined us – including our dedicated HRP Group volunteers.
What’s Coming Up
Mark your calendars! Our 2026 virtual community meetings will be held on the following dates. More information and a registration link will be shared before each meeting.
• March 17 at 6 PM
• June 16 at 6 PM
• September 22 at 6 PM
• November 17 at 6 PM
Let’s Stay Connected
We’re energized by what we’ve built together so far - and even more excited for what’s ahead. Stay connected, stay involved, and let’s keep building momentum in 2026.
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