A group focused on rejuvenating a 4-mile stretch of Broad
Street says city and community leaders should entice health-related businesses
to the area around Temple University Health System, and increase
green space and improve attractiveness along the North Philly artery over the
next five years.
The three goals are part of the 2020 Vision plan released
by nonprofit, North Broad Renaissance, which is dedicated to connecting
community members with political and other local leaders in an effort to
revitalize the economy and quality of life along Philadelphia's North Broad
corridor.
"This five-year plan is allowing us to set a strong
foundation for North Broad Street — one that is aimed at cleaning,
communicating, creating opportunities and improving the economic power and
quality of life along North Broad Street and will help this corridor become one
of the most innovative in the region," said Shalimar Thomas, executive director of NBR.
Before creating the 2020 Vision, NBR assessed boundaries
between City Hall and Germantown Avenue, and surveyed businesses and local
residents about their likes and dislikes. Through these interactions, as well
as more than 150 surveys, the NBR was able to create a plan that represents the
community's needs.
The long-term goal of the 5-year plan is the creation of
a health zone around Temple University Health System.
"The goal of this health zone is to kill two birds
with one zone — attract businesses to the corridor, while providing a resource
to combat the health challenges that low income minority communities face and
help the health care industry save millions in the process," Thomas said.
In years four and five of the plan, NBR will begin to
evaluate how to incentivize health-related businesses so they move to the area
and how to go about developing the health zone so the local economy will create
jobs for neighbors.
Just off Broad Street, Temple University already has
plans to construct a $20 million health and
wellness center on its campus.
Ahead of the economic development initiative, the
year-old nonprofit plans in years two and three to identify a vendor who will
provide cleaning services, begin placing banners along North Broad Street and
increase green space. NBR also plans to increase police presence and safety
ambassadors along the corridor.
These goals will create a "strong foundation"
and improve the attractiveness of the corridor, Thomas said.
“One of the greatest things we did when completing this
plan was go into the community to get a greater understanding of the strengths
and weaknesses of the corridor,” said Thomas. “Thanks to their feedback and
additional research, the NBR is confident that we are putting out a strategic
plan that serves the needs of the community.”
More than 2,000 square feet of new
retail space is slotted for North Broad Street that will
establish what could be a new, emerging shopping corridor in Philadelphia.
Some of the spaces that are planned are part of
developments close to City Hall and the Pennsylvania Convention Center, while
others push north toward Temple University and areas just off of North Broad.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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