March 25, 2019
This report marks the conclusion of a two-year endeavor that had two goals: 1) empower Eastwick residents through an inclusive process to shape the future of their community; and 2) provide a framework for responsible land use decisions to build a resilient neighborhood. While inclusiveness and community empowerment should always be a priority for the public sector, in Eastwick it is especially so. In the 1950s and 1960s Eastwick was the site of America’s largest “urban renewal” project that displaced thousands of people whose homes were condemned for a vision that was only partially constructed. Resilience should always be a focus of contemporary planning, but in Eastwick especially so. Eastwick is one of the lowest lying parts of the city, naturally a marsh, and prone to flooding. For the better part of a century Eastwick has seen severe storms that wreaked havoc on the community. The consultant team, led by Interface Studio, has done a remarkable job of guiding us all through a complex and thorough process that analyzed the potential for these 190+ acres of land. They looked at feasibility through three lenses: what the community aspires to, what the market will bear, and what is environmentally responsible. This process focused as much on informing and educating as it did on engaging and empowering. The residents of Eastwick consistently impressed us with their commitment to their community’s future—turning out en masse, time after time, and dedicating countless hours to this study. We are grateful for these passionate and dedicated neighbors—especially Eastwick’s active community leadership. After three large community meetings, three roundtables, and countless interviews and tours, it became clear that the Eastwick community was not unified in its vision. Many people wanted to see all of the public land dedicated for storm water management, while many others wanted to see the neighborhood substantially rebuilt. The outcome of this study is a set of recommendations that leave more than half of the land open, while accommodating development in targeted areas where it can be built without worsening the flood risk. Some areas can be developed with relatively little additional work, while others will require substantial testing and additional study before we can responsibly move forward in recommending any redevelopment. And so while this study is a major step forward, we still have a long way to go. Our promise to the community is that every step will continue to engage and empower the residents of Eastwick through an inclusive process. And every step will be made with a primary focus on neighborhood resilience. Thank you again to all the residents who informed this plan, to the Steering Committee, to Interface Studio and the rest of the consultant team, and to all our partners. We have come a long way and we look forward to our continued partnership as we move forward on the next steps in this process.
Gregory Heller Executive Director Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Lower Eastwick Public Land Strategy
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