Riverfront North Partnership - Group Discovery 2.21.24 by Ellen Greenberg

(Q1) Mission Questions

ellengreenberg888 — 2024-02-05 14:31:18 UTC

In what ways is RNP meeting the mission?
How could RNP further meet the mission?
How does Environmental Justice and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion play out in the mission?

(Q2) Strengths

ellengreenberg888 — 2024-02-05 14:52:21 UTC

What are Riverfront North Partnership’s Greatest Strengths?

(Q3) Environment

ellengreenberg888 — 2024-02-05 14:52:46 UTC

What’s happening in your neighborhood/in the city over the next 3-5 years that RNP should be thinking about?

(Q4) Vision

ellengreenberg888 — 2024-02-05 14:53:26 UTC

Thinking big, what is your vision for Riverfront North Partnership?

4a. Think about what you’ve seen other nonprofits are doing that you’d like to see RNP emulate

4b. Think about what you might change if you were in charge (and had the resources)

2024-02-21 18:34:51 UTC

Building new infrastructure (trails and parks) and connections to allow the community greater access to nature and educational and environmental programming. There also engaging the community stewardship.

2024-02-21 18:35:28 UTC

They're successfully planning for and building infrastructure. They also provide programming
Continue connecting the neighborhoods to the river through all modes
Implied but not directly mentioned. Can make it seem like less of a priority

2024-02-21 18:36:03 UTC

Positive and ambitious focus

Q1

2024-02-21 18:36:11 UTC

RNP meets/exceeds their mission goals through design/construction of projects, securing funding, maintenance and education. Great at community engagement and activation.

2024-02-21 18:36:32 UTC

PennDOT's 95 project, industrial development

2024-02-21 18:36:42 UTC

For DEI, this isn't explicitly mentioned in the mission statement, so it would need to be added.

2024-02-21 18:36:45 UTC

A hub or physical space along the trail or in a park would provide a center for engagement and education about RNP and the area.

2024-02-21 18:37:45 UTC

Emphasize connections to the neighborhoods-- especially physical ones

2024-02-21 18:38:13 UTC

the word unparalleled isn't clear

#2

2024-02-21 18:38:16 UTC

Once everything is built, they will need to refocus more on maintenance and engagement.

Q3

2024-02-21 18:38:25 UTC

It is implied in the connectivity mandate, and trails are an inherently inclusive concept

Commitment and passion from staff and board

2024-02-21 18:39:31 UTC

2024-02-21 18:39:52 UTC

Ambitious, motivated, successful at securing funding and establishing programming, and responding to community needs

Ability to obtain and leverage grants and funds

2024-02-21 18:39:54 UTC

Place-based and targeted area of focus

2024-02-21 18:39:55 UTC

2024-02-21 18:40:37 UTC

RNP does a lot with very little resources.

Great social/political connections.

Taken a space that has been forgotten and turned it into a space that is relevant again.

Some success in working with private property owners in the industrial areas (along with some frustration)

2024-02-21 18:40:45 UTC

2024-02-21 18:41:32 UTC

Able to find funding to design and construct capital improvements as a small and mighty team. They are very inclusive in engagement with City and partners. Do a good job on maintenance and solving issues. Great at involving many different voices into their project efforts.

2024-02-21 18:41:44 UTC

Great to have 1 go-to group in the private non-profit world that can help implement these projects.

Development concerns along Philly Coke site: why hasn't it been developed fully and how can RN benefit from that opportunity?

2024-02-21 18:42:04 UTC

2024-02-21 18:42:31 UTC

Proactive and relentless.

What design standards and guidance and funding can RN offer for non-Connector Streets. Example: PhilaPort Tioga St is interested in a sidepath and activation to discourage dumping.

2024-02-21 18:43:07 UTC

How do we balance the needs of industrial users and recreational trail users? What are ways that's been done successfully in Philly and other cities?

2024-02-21 18:43:55 UTC

Prison and Police Academy training areas are planned for improvement/changes.

2024-02-21 18:46:51 UTC

Connections at State & Rhawn and Milnor Street for trails/bikeways

2024-02-21 18:47:36 UTC

2026 celebrations - engagement opportunities

advancing the Lower Poquessing Creek Trail connection from Glen Foerd to Torresdale Station

2024-02-21 18:47:49 UTC

2024-02-21 18:47:53 UTC

Connectivity with the new 95 cap park? Impacts of the cap on the desires of the community?

2024-02-21 18:48:06 UTC

Planning and expanding bike network throughout NE

2024-02-21 18:48:59 UTC

Workforce impacts of the BIL/IIJA?

2024-02-21 18:49:22 UTC

FIFA in 2026

North Delaware Avenue extension and new sidepaths as part of 95

2024-02-21 18:49:23 UTC

NEVI? anything along the north delaware?

2024-02-21 18:49:57 UTC

2024-02-21 18:50:37 UTC

Consider Ambassadors/security personnel as these parks become connected.

2024-02-21 18:51:30 UTC

Private property rights/more insular development patterns in more suburban parts of the city.

2024-02-21 18:52:02 UTC

Changing neighborhood uses/demographics?

2024-02-21 18:52:26 UTC

Connect better with neighboring communities across industrial/transportation corridors, both with built environment interventions and programming. These are riparian communities who have become physically and culturally disconnected from the riverfront.

2024-02-21 18:53:46 UTC

Connecting people and neighborhoods to the riverfront

2024-02-21 18:53:46 UTC

Partner across non-profit groups. For example, I think there's some opportunity for synergy with TTF.

Alter the built environment to break down the barriers of 95, New State, and Tacony Street to make sure all modes are comfortable getting back and forth to the riverfront.

2024-02-21 18:53:57 UTC

2024-02-21 18:55:07 UTC

Improve public transit access and/or "last mile" connections. Explore indego or other shared mobility opoortunities.

2024-02-21 18:55:18 UTC

Challenges that all non-profit partners deal with like safety, quality of life issues, amplified sound, etc. is something that still needs to be resolved.

2024-02-21 18:55:32 UTC

Become a special services district for the river wards and north delaware communities to pay for services like cleaning and security.

Do something to encourage buy in and sense of ownership from neighborhood partners so it doesn't seem as OVER THERE and separate from the neighborhoods.

2024-02-21 18:55:42 UTC

2024-02-21 18:55:51 UTC

Capital improvements creating connections and connections people make once there with each other.

2024-02-21 18:56:02 UTC

New SEPTA Bus Revolution bus network - better bus service to/from the waterfront

2024-02-21 18:56:07 UTC

Have physical spaces along the trail to run environmental education and programming out of it.

2024-02-21 18:56:28 UTC

Extend Indego stations to North Delaware

Focus on serving areas within 11 miles; determine where are the majority of people coming from and think through how you can make a few key locations highly visible to the public and high quality in terms of amenities and services provided.

2024-02-21 18:56:57 UTC

2024-02-21 18:57:18 UTC

Better buffering between developments and trails.

2024-02-21 18:57:19 UTC

Encourage shippers to use rail and/or help to manage truck traffic and parking in ways more conducive to the neighborhood and use of the the public sapces.

2024-02-21 18:58:11 UTC

Evaluate projected land use to better prepare for climate change

2024-02-21 18:59:07 UTC

More programming IN the river wards neighborhoods, not just in Riverfront North properties. Bring the river more to the people. Remind them that they are riparian neighborhoods.