Resolution 000040

..Title Authorizing the Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold public hearings on proposals and strategies for a community revitalization and infrastructure renewal program for Philadelphia's neighborhoods including, but not limited to: infrastructure repair, replacement and reconstruction; street tree maintenance, removal and planting; street lighting repairs and enhancements; housing preservation, rehabilitation and homeownership initiatives; maintenance and re-use of vacant lots; commercial corridor improvements; and, curb and sidewalk repair and replacement, and to discuss and analyze funding options, implementation methods and performance measures for such a community revitalization and infrastructure renewal program. ..Body WHEREAS, Philadelphia is known as the "city of neighborhoods" and our neighborhoods are key to the long-term health and vitality of the city; and WHEREAS, All neighborhoods throughout the City require varying levels of investments to improve, repair or replace infrastructure; to preserve and stabilize the housing stock; and, to revitalize commercial corridors; and WHEREAS, There have been and are various local initiatives including, but not limited to, the Managing Director's "Partners for Progress" program, the Neighborhood Strategic Plans initiated by the Office of Housing and Community Development, the Empowerment Zones and the Philadelphia Plan which should be evaluated for their progress and performance; and WHEREAS, Many existing city agencies manage programs, services and funding which impact on the neighborhoods including, but not limited to, the Department of Licenses & Inspections, the Office of Housing & Community Development, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation, the Redevelopment Authority and the Department of Commerce and related agencies which should be reviewed for their progress and performance; and WHEREAS, A number of cities have embarked on initiatives which strategically invest in communities, such as Houston's Neighborhoods to Standards Program and Charlotte's Neighborhood Improvement Program, which should be reviewed for their results; and WHEREAS, It is important to evaluate and explore the various funding tools available to support community renewal efforts such as public improvement bonds, dedicated tax revenues, community development block grant funds, private sector initiatives and foundation support; and WHEREAS, The issues of coordination, funding, implementation and performance measures necessary for a city-wide community revitalization and infrastructure renewal program require thorough review and discussion; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development be authorized to hold public hearings on proposals and strategies for a community revitalization and infrastructure renewal program for Philadelphia's neighborhoods including, but not limited to: infrastructure repair, replacement and reconstruction; street tree maintenance, removal and planting; street lighting repairs and enhancements; housing preservation, rehabilitation and homeownership initiatives; maintenance and re-use of vacant lots; commercial corridor improvements; and, curb and sidewalk repair and replacement, and to discuss and analyze funding options, implementation methods and performance measures for such a community revitalization and infrastructure renewal program. ??