The Bellwether District Dispatch
Progress On and Off Site
2024 has been a dynamic year of development at The Bellwether District and investments made in our surrounding neighborhoods.
Just last month, our site served as the backdrop for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as he signed an Executive Order launching the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program - an initiative that will streamline the permitting process for major economic development and infrastructure projects, ensuring Pennsylvania is competitive and moving at the speed of business. The governor spoke to the importance of efficient permitting to drive innovation and create opportunities, pointing to The Bellwether District as a leading example of why this effort matters.
And our development continues to be touted by publications like Construction Equipment Guide for leading the transformation at what is the former site of the PES Refinery.
But even more, our work has been bolstered by how we’ve been able to support and work alongside our neighbors and partners here in South and Southwest Philadelphia. With your help, the following was made possible this year:
Philanthropic Contributions:
• Over $550,000 in sponsorships and donations
• 1,500 turkeys provided to Philadelphia families
• 800+ winter coats donated amongst 11 organizations
Community Engagement:
• 50 paid internships provided to middle and high school students
• 123 community events and partnerships
• 20+ organizations engaged in ongoing, community-focused efforts across South and Southwest Philadelphia
As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what has been accomplished to date, and even more excited about what is ahead. Read on to see what else our team has been up to since our last update!
‘Tis
the Season for Giving
Celebrating the Holidays - This Thanksgiving, The Bellwether District partnered with the Grays Ferry Salvation Army and Resident Action Committee II to host a community dinner for South Philadelphia residents. Attendees were also provided with turkey meal kits for the upcoming holiday. To ensure our younger neighbors stay warm this holiday season, The Bellwether District also worked with 11 community organizations to distribute children’s winter coats throughout South and Southwest Philadelphia.
Boo on the Breeze - On October 31st, The Bellwether District partnered with State Representative Jordan Harris and the 17th Police District on their annual Boo on the Breeze community event. The Bellwether District team contributed coats to the Boo on the Breeze coat drive, shared information about our project, and joined in the Halloween fun with nearby neighbors.
Our Commitment with (and to!) South and Southwest Philadelphia
Following more than 18 months of facilitated meetings with a diverse group of over 20 coalitions across South and Southwest Philadelphia, we proudly released our Community Benefits Commitment at the end of October. This commitment is a community-led plan to strengthen our company’s promise to sustainability, job creation, and neighborhood investments over the next decade of The Bellwether District’s development.
The Bellwether District’s Community Benefits Commitment doubles down on our three pillars of community, environmental, and economic sustainability. The programs and initiatives included in the commitment are projected to exceed $10 million in value and are built on the foundation of five overarching priorities including:
• Community First. Creates The Bellwether District Community Investment Fund to support community needs, steered by community partner organizations;
• Transparency. Commits to public-facing, quarterly reporting on current development, workforce, and community investment activities;
• Inviting Spaces. Invests in onsite and offsite infrastructure improvements ensuring both safety and accessibility;
• Environmental Stewardship. Invests in onsite and offsite infrastructure aimed at reducing the development’s carbon footprint and increasing green and open spaces; and
• An Equitable Economy. Invests in workforce development and diversification initiatives to prepare residents for the jobs of the future.
This work would not have been possible without the support of community organizations at the table representing residents of South and Southwest Philadelphia in various sectors including community development, public safety, transportation, education, faith, and the environment. Collectively, these organizations support the priorities above and serve the needs of area residents, many of whom experienced the negative impacts of the site’s former use. These organizations will continue to serve as the project’s Community Advisory Panel (CAP) to help ensure that residents’ voices are uplifted and shared community priorities remain at the center of our work.
You can read the Community Benefits Commitment here.
• The first building on the Industrial Campus will be completed this year, with 326k square feet being delivered in December 2024.
• Progress will not slow down as we move into the new year! 727k square feet will be added to the Industrial Campus by July 2025.
• This redevelopment will reconnect these 1,300 acres into the city while also providing significant infrastructure improvements which are already underway!
Empowering the Next Generation of Construction Leaders
• This summer, for the third year in a row, The Bellwether District hosted Mentoring Young Women in Construction (MyWIC), a program focused on exposing 7th through 12th grade young women to career paths in real estate and construction.
• In late-July and again in November, The Bellwether District teamed up with Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) and the Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic apprenticeship program (FTI MAR) to host 50+ women interested in the construction and manufacturing industries. Both visits included a site tour and the opportunity to connect with women working at The Bellwether District including Angelina Perryman, VP of Administration at Perryman Construction and Lynette Sutton, founder and Managing Partner of Girl Concrete.
• This fall, The Bellwether District partnered with the School District of Philadelphia and construction firms Clayco and Perryman Construction to host Build My Future, a two-day, hands-on experience for 6th through 12th grade students. 12 partnering construction firms participated in the event, which featured interactive exhibits and demonstrations for more than 700 student attendees. School District Superintendent Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr. even stopped by to share a few words!
The Bellwether District: A Global Model for Future-Forward Development
At HRP Group, we’re proud of the holistic approach we take to development that prioritizes community, environmental, and economic sustainability - and we’re honored when our work is recognized on a national and international stage. Most recently, The Bellwether District and our commitment to sustainable urban development was featured at the 2024 Net Zero Festival, a gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates to share insights and best practices for achieving sustainability goals, hosted by ITN Business.
Alongside conversations on urban design, adaptation, and resilience, and how institutions can and should promote healthy cities and public well-being, was the premiere of the “Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities” program, which highlighted The Bellwether District as a model for future urban redevelopment initiatives. You can check out the program here.
Upcoming Opportunities at The Bellwether District