the delaware river waterfront corporation...conrail owns significant waterfront property abutting...

THE DELAWARE RIVER

WATERFRONT CORPORATION

Graffiti Pier Pre-Proposal Meeting June 13, 2019

TODAY’S AGENDA

▪ Introduction to DRWC▪ Past Projects▪ Project Background and Description▪ Questions

DRWC’S CORE RESPONSIBILITIESPlanning / Development

▪ Design and build high quality parks, open space and other public amenities

▪ Promote and support high quality private investment in new development

▪ Connect waterfront to adjacent neighborhoods

Programming

▪ Activate waterfront public spaces with a diverse range of high quality events and activities

▪ Operate highly successful public events (e.g., Spruce Street Harbor Park & Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest and Summerfest)

▪ Complement DRWC’s development mission by generating more demand for and excitement about the riverfront

Maintenance / Security

▪ Ensure waterfront public spaces are kept free of litter and graffiti and in good repair

▪ Reduce and prevent crime and enhance perception of safety through regular security presence in close collaboration with Philadelphia Police

MASTER PLAN PROJECT AREA

Master Plan covers the waterfront from Oregon Ave. to Allegheny Ave. and east of I-95

OREG

ON

MASTER PLAN VISION: PARKS EVERY HALF MILE

MASTER PLAN VISION: MULTI-MODAL WATERFRONT TRAIL NETWORK

Multi-Use TrailColumbus Boulevard TrailExisting Regional BikewayExisting Local Bikeway

OREG

ON

SPRIN

G GA

RDEN

WASH

INGT

ON

MASTER PLAN VISION: CONNECTOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Primary Connector StreetSecondary Connector Street

OREG

ON

MARK

ET

SNYD

ER

COMPLETED AND PLANNED PROJECTS

RACE STREET PIER

WASHINGTON AVENUE PIER

PIER 68

SOUTH WETLANDS PARK

▪ RFP for Design Services released on 5/20

▪ Proposals due to DRWC on 7/8, 4:30pm

▪ Planned Wetland Park on Piers 53 – 70 in South Philadelphia

▪ Create vital fish and aquatic species habitat

▪ Improve access to the waterfront ▪ Increase resiliency to SLR and climate

change impacts

GRAFFITI PIER PROJECT

PROJECT NEED▪ Continue DRWC investment in the northern

waterfront ▪ Connect Port Richmond and Olde Richmond

neighborhoods to the waterfront with better access

▪ Preserve and expand the impact of Graffiti Pier as an artistic resource

Source: Flickr

PROJECT BACKGROUND▪ Conrail owns significant waterfront property

abutting the Port Richmond and Olde Richmond neighborhoods

▪ Conrail and DRWC entered into an MOU in 2019 to transfer the 6 acre site (Pier 18) to DRWC for creation of a public park and to support the further transformation of the space

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe RFP is for a comprehensive planning process for:▪ Conceptual design of a new public park▪ Improved access to the waterfront for Port Richmond and Olde Richmond▪ Continuation of the Delaware River Trail beginning at Cumberland Street

Source: BillyPenn

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

OTHER PROJECT GOALS▪ Improved access to and within

the site – improve connections to adjacent neighborhoods and coordinate with Conrail on a future plan for multi-modal access and circulation

▪ Incorporate best practices in sustainability and climate change resiliency – ensure the structural integrity of bulkheads and future impacts from climate change on the waterfront and nearby neighborhoods

The plan should…▪ Be a community-supported vision▪ Reflect the space’s civic value and

artistic heritage ▪ Provide a realistic path forward

towards transformation with a strong implementation focus

▪ Ensure community buy-in –create a sense of ownership and stewardship by engaging neighbors and future users of the space, respect the cultural heritage of the pier

HISTORIC SITE OVERVIEW - 1924

Source: Dallin Aerial Survey Company Photographs

HISTORIC SITE AERIAL

Graffiti Pier (Pier 18)

Originally the site was used as a coal tipping pier to transfer coal from Western PA to ships.

SITE AERIAL TODAY

Graffiti Pier site ~6 acres (in red)

GRAFFITI PIER RFP SCHEDULE

6/4/2019 Request for Proposals released6/13/2019 Pre-Proposal Meeting 6/21/2019 Questions due to DRWC in writing (email

only to kthompson@drwc.org) by 4:30pm6/26/2019 DRWC to post answers to questions

online by 5:00pm 7/12/2019 Proposals due to DRWC by 12:00 pmWeek of 7/15/2019 or 7/22/2019 Interviews with short-listed firmsEnd of July Project awarded

QUESTIONS?