The 5th District Update

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Darrell L. Clarke

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NPI $400 Million Investment City Council is moving forward with a historic investment of $400 Million in neighborhoods across Philadelphia – the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. NPI will fund more affordable housing development and preservation, help residents repair existing homes and support disabled citizens in modifying their residences. NPI will help first-time homeowners pay the down payment and closing costs to buy their first homes. It will invest in neighborhood shopping corridors, and spur jobs creation. NPI will repair neighborhood infrastructure – alleys and retaining walls – and make communities cleaner, safer, stronger.

The Neighborhood Preservation Initiative was created last year by City Council, in respond to the growing need for significant investments in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Council President Clarke unveiled NPI in September outside a sandwich and bakery store in Northwest Philly, joined by Councilmembers Cherelle L. Parker, Helen Gym, Jamie R. Gauthier and Maria Quiñones Sánchez housing officials, affordable housing advocates and other residents.

For more information on the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative go https://bit.ly/3nmvzWG Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

A NEW PLAYGROUND FOR NORTH PHILLY Every so often, out of tragedy, something good

rises. The Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park at 11th & Venango Streets in North Philadelphia is one such story. This new playground honors the life of Keisha Williams and her three children, Keiearra Williams, Joseph Reed Jr. and Terrance Williams Moore, all lost in a terrible hit-and-run car accident. After several years of hard work, the site was assembled and funding was approved to build a new playground in honor of Ms. Williams and her children. There are new play areas, lighting and trees, sidewalks, benches, a repaved basketball court and a new walking and tricycle track. This was a village coming together to make this playground a reality. The Parks & Recreation Department, the 76ers, FiveBelow, community leaders like Cynthia Barnes and others, and the Williams family were all a part of the creation of this playground for the children and families of North Philadelphia. Council President Clarke was there with the community in August to celebrate Keisha Williams and her children’s lives.

FIGHTING GUN VIOLENCE

Councilmembers Kenyatta Johnson, Jamie R. Gauthier, Curtis Jones Jr, and Cherelle L. Parker meeting with Council President Darrell L. Clarke

A TRIP TO CHESTER TO SEEK SOLUTIONS

Philadelphia is experiencing a gun violence crisis that threatens public safety in too many neighborhoods, with homicides and shootings – particularly involving young people – nearing historic levels. City Council has taken many actions to reduce gun violence, including going to Chester, PA in August to meet with law enforcement and city leaders to learn how coordinated law enforcement and community engagement are driving gun violence down in Chester. Council President Clarke led a City Council delegation to Chester to meet with Delaware County DA Jack Stollsheimer, Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland and others to learn about strategies to help make Philadelphia safer. Another important initiative approved by Council – investing $16 Million in neighborhood groups working to reduce gun violence and engage at-risk youths – is underway across the city. Council has earmarked funds for more curfew centers, jobs initiatives, and a one-stop shop call center for help. Council also supports a Gun Buyback effort that has helped get 700 guns turned in by residents in exchange for gift cards for groceries. We must have a safer Philadelphia.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

TROPICAL STORM IDA FLOODS PHILADELPHIA

Extreme weather. Tornadoes. Wildfires. Soaring temperatures. And torrential storms, producing unprecedented flooding. It hit Philadelphia when Tropical Storm Ida struck Philadelphia. It produced so much rain, in a short period of time, that the city experienced widespread flooding. None more unprecedented than the Vine Street Expressway. A faulty drain and overflowing Schuylkill River turned the Expressway into a river. Council President Clarke toured the flood damage shortly after the floodwaters crested with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Congressman Brendan Boyle, Mayor Kenney, Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel, and others. Working together, city officials got the floodwaters down, the highway re-opened, and other neighborhoods restored and cleaned.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD A PLAYGROUND AND REC CENTER FOR 8TH & DIAMOND COMMUNITY On a boiling hot July day, what’s better than a spray park and a brand-new playground and rebuilt Recreation Center? That was the scene when Council President Clarke joined Mayor Kenney and longtime North Philadelphia community leaders for the unveiling of the revamped 8th and Diamond Street Playground.

The city spent more than $2.2 Million to give the community what it asked for: an expanded rec center, a new sprayground, an updated basketball court, new climbing equipment, and even old-school games like hopscotch. The city collaborated on this Rebuild project – federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, city dollars, support from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Council President Clarke joined longtime Recreation Center leader (and Philly hoops legend) Dana Clark and community leaders to celebrate.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

MORE HOUSING CHOICES FOR NORTH PHILADELPHIA

Everyone deserves a decent place to call home. Creating more affordable housing options is among the most important missions of Council President Clarke. In October, the Council President stood proudly with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge and others as the Philadelphia Housing Authority unveiled the completion of North Central, a development of affordable homes that was revitalized and created for and by the community.

North Central sits upon the former site of the 1950s-era Norris Apartments. The North Central Choice Transformation plan changes all that – it expands the range and quality of mixed-income, energy-efficient housing options, develops long-vacant land parcels, and preserves and protects affordable housing for long-time residents.

CITY COUNCIL’S MOONSHOT

LIFTING 100,000 PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY

For too long, Philadelphia’s been seen as America’s poorest big city, with an estimated 400,000 people living in poverty. Council President Clarke and City Council are acting boldly to change that: A year studying poverty here and best practices nationwide, a detailed Poverty Action Plan, a historic $10 Million investment of city funds, partnering with Councilmember Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, focused outreach with services to Philadelphia residents to help them access benefits they deserve, jobs they need, and other services to help lift them out of poverty. The hard work of the Poverty Action Fund is underway.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

BUILDING PHILADELPHIA BACK BETTER As Philadelphia steadily re-emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to rebuild our local economy as well. City Council is doing its part to assist in our city’s recovery.

Council approved a New Normal Jobs Initiative last year, earmarking $10 Million to spark jobs creation. In addition to the citywide Neighborhood Preservation Initiative now underway, Council President Clarke supports supermarkets like the Giant store that opened in Logan Square earlier this year. It means fresh produce options, jobs for Philadelphians, and neighborhood revival. Council President also supported another supermarket that has opened in the 5th District, the Aldi store located at North Broad Street and Ridge Avenue. These stores all mean fresh food options and job opportunities for Philadelphia residents.

A DOG PARK & PLAYGROUND FOR LOGAN SQUARE

Every neighborhood has an advocate who will do anything for his or her community. They’ll stand up for more green space, they’ll bring neighborhood problems to elected leaders’ attention, they’ll do whatever it takes to make their neighborhood a better place to live. In the Logan Square neighborhood, Rob Stuart was that advocate for a long time, until his untimely passing. Rob was a staunch advocate for Logan Square, for the revitalization of the Schuylkill River waterfront, and many other issues. In October, recognition a long time coming arrived with the unveiling of the Rob Stuart Memorial Dog Park at 21st & Winter Streets, as well as a new greenway and play area for children. Council President Clarke cut the ribbon with Rob’s widow, Sarah Clark Stuart.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

STANDING WITH A MODERN-DAY HERO

The word “hero” gets used a lot nowadays – sports heroes, entertainment heroes, and so on. When a genuine hero comes along – someone acting to improve the lives of others – it’s noteworthy. Here in Philadelphia since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, we’ve had such a person in our midst – Dr. Ala Stanford, the driving force behind the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium. For nearly two years, the Black Doctors Consortium and Dr. Stanford have provided COVID tests and vaccines – and other forms of much-needed health care – to underserved neighborhoods around our city. Now, through her vision, a new Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity has opened in North Philadelphia. The Center will offer a wide array of health care and services for children and adults. Now that’s what we call a “Hero.”

HEART OF A

CHAMPION

On a cold March day, Council President Darrell L. Clarke delivered passionate remarks about one of Philly’s greatest sports figures ever – Smokin’ Joe Frazier. The Council President joked that folks should go to the Art Museum steps, enjoy Philly’s fictional hero, Rocky. and then, “come down here and take a picture with the real champ – Joe Frazier – Philadelphia’s own.” A 30-foot mural of former heavyweight champion Frazier was unveiled on the side of a building at 13th Street and Allegheny Avenue, not far from where Frazier’s gym stood on North Broad Street. Mural Arts Philadelphia dedicated the mural of the 50th anniversary of the “Fight of the Century” between Frazier and Muhammad Ali. The mural artist, Ernel Martinez, summed it up: “Joe Frazier represents the entire city of Philadelphia, not just one neighborhood -- but the entire city.”

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

A DAY’S WORK FOR A DAY’S PAY

One Day at a Time CEO Mel Wells explains same day pay program.

SAME DAY PAY

A day’s work for a day’s pay. $15 an hour to clean vacant lots and neighborhood corridors. Get workers connected to other services, including housing and other supports.

A win-win for workers, for neighborhoods, and for Philadelphia. That’s the idea behind the Same Day Pay program, an initiative funded by City Council under Council President Clarke, managed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and staffed by non-profit groups like One Day at a Time, among others. City Council with its partners are working with individuals, providing them with jobs, adding social services, and helping lift them out of poverty.

Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Kendra Brooks, Jamie R. Gauthier with Council President Darrell L. Clarke

CONTINUING TO TRANSFORM SHARSWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD INTO A COMMUNITY OF CHOICE With every shovel in the ground, the Sharswood neighborhood is being transformed into a Community of Choice in the 5th Councilmanic District. In April, the latest step forward was groundbreaking for 60 new affordable rental apartments and homes at 21st and Master Streets. The Philadelphia Housing Authority, with its partners in City Council, Hunt Companies, Pennrose Management Company, and Brewerytown CDC are building a four-story apartment building with 51 new units and nine townhouses. In 2020, PHA received a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in support of the entire Sharswood initiative. This multi-year plan will produce 1,200 units of housing for the Sharswood community by the time it’s finished.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

FEMA OPENS MASS VACCINATION SITE

As Council President Clarke and Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Mark Squilla encouraged constituents and residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at health centers around the city, at neighborhood pharmacies, and at sites run by the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, City Council also supported a mass vaccination site operated by FEMA and opened in March in Center City. Council President, his colleagues Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Mark Squilla and others toured the mass vaccination site at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where over the next several months, thousands of Philadelphians – Black, Brown and all backgrounds – were vaccinated against this deadly disease.

VAXXING UP TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS For over a year now, we’ve followed the rules – wear your mask in public, keep your social distance, get vaccinated when it’s your turn – to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic that has made too many people sick and claimed too many lives in Philadelphia and around the world. City Council has done its part to keep Philadelphians safe from COVID-19, appropriating millions of dollars in city emergency health expenditures, partnering with groups like the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium and others to get as many residents vaccinated as possible. In May, Council President Clarke teamed up with the Rite-Aid Corporation, Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Advisory Council, Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition, Rep. Donna Bullock and others to vaccinate North Philadelphia residents at the William D. Kelley School at 28th & Oxford Streets.

If you haven’t gotten your vaccination yet, it’s not too late.

Go to www.blackdoctorsconsortium.com or call (215) 685-5488 to find a site near you.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

MECHANICAL SWEEPERS TO CLEAN OUR STREETS

Council President Clarke and Chief of Staff Curtis Wilkerson inspect street sweeper.

Tired of the trash and the rubbish, bottles and cans that clutter up city streets? Council President Clarke, working hand in glove with the Streets Department, has a solution: The city’s new Mechanical Brooms, Sanitation Division vehicles with large, rotating brooms that use water, vacuums and the brooms to sweep Philadelphia streets clean. The Mechanical Brooms work together with hand-held blowers held

by Streets employees, who blow the debris off streets, curbs and gutters into the middle of the street – and the mechanized broom trucks come along and vacuum up all the debris. These Mechanical Broom trucks are now at work citywide, and Council President’s team are working constantly to make sure the trucks and blowers are all over the 5th Councilmanic District. Clean streets make a difference!

PHILABUNDANCE OPENS A COMMUNITY FOOD KITCHEN Philabundance opened a new Community Kitchen in the 5th Councilmanic District, and it provides both job training and meal production. The Community Kitchen promotes the self-sufficiency of its students by preparing them and connecting them to work in the food service industry. PCK, as it's called, is a free 16-week culinary arts and job skills training program -- and a path to stability for low-income adults and meals for those in need. Council President Clarke was on hand with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to celebrate the Kitchen's grand opening.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

5th District Happenings Habitat for Humanity Celebrates New Homes at Oxford Green This Summer, Habitat for Humanity celebrated completion of Oxford Green, a 20-unit affordable home community in the Sharswood neighborhood in the 5th Councilmanic District. The homes were purchased by families who completed Habitat’s Homeownership program.

Council President Clarke was there to express City Council’s strong support for Habitat’s mission and this development.

A New Element Hotel in Center City Philadelphia

After a 2020 that saw most of the hospitality industry shutdown by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was nice to see the new Element Hotel opening in downtown Philly in the 5th Councilmanic District this spring. The Element hotel is in the Westin chain, and Council President Clarke was at the grand opening along with Mayor Kenney and the hotel’s operators and developers to celebrate another moment in the city’s slow, steady re-opening from the pandemic.

A Rebuild Playground for South Kensington More than $1 Million in improvements have been made at the Hancock Playground in South Kensington, supported

by Council President Clarke, the Kenney administration, and the community.

Some of the improvements at Hancock include new playground equipment, new basketball hoops, landscaping, additional green space, and reviving the mural on the recreation building. Council President Clarke is a strong advocate in support of the Rebuild initiative and every rec center and playground throughout the 5th Councilmanic District.

Office of City Council President Darrell L. Clarke | Room 313 City Hall, Philadelphia 19107 | Phone: (215) 686-3442 | Fax: (215) 686-1901

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Office of City Council President, Darrell L. Clarke 2815 Ridge Ave., Suite B Philadelphia, PA 19121