Executive Order
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.  00__-06 CENTRAL DELAWARE ADVISORY GROUP
           

WHEREAS, the Central Delaware riverfront is an area generally adjacent to the Delaware River from Allegheny Avenue southward to Oregon Avenue (the “Central Delaware”); and

  
WHEREAS, under our New River City initiative, Philadelphia is redefining and improving recreation, commerce and development along the rivers, including the Central Delaware;

  
WHEREAS, it has been 24 years since a comprehensive plan was adopted for the Central Delaware and development perspectives and market conditions have changed;

  
WHEREAS, a new Central Delaware master plan must be developed in a manner that respects the needs of all stakeholders, including local residents, local businesses, and the broader public interests of all residents of and visitors to Philadelphia;

  
WHEREAS, a goal of the plan shall be a civic vision for the Central Delaware that balances the public good, access to the waterfront, open space and quality urban development;

  
WHEREAS, appropriate transportation infrastructure, including adequate mass transit, is an essential component of any successful plan for development of the Central Delaware;

  
WHEREAS, the prospect of casinos located along the Central Delaware underscores the importance of a comprehensive land planning strategy that incorporates neighborhood and business enhancement, traffic and parking management, and coordination between the City and the Commonwealth;

  
WHEREAS, Penn Praxis (“Consultants”) is the non-profit, clinical consulting arm of the School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania with demonstrated experience in solving real world problems, and will serve as the primary consultant for this initiative; and

  
WHEREAS, funding requirements for this initiative shall be made available from private sources and supplemented on a needs-only basis by the City;

NOW, THEREFORE, by the power vested in me as Mayor of Philadelphia, it is hereby ORDERED:

Section 1.          ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ADVISORY GROUP

(a)   The Central Delaware Advisory Group (“Advisory Group”) is hereby created.

(b)   The mission of the Advisory Group is to oversee development of the Central Delaware master plan (the “Plan”).  The Plan shall include integrated strategies for successful implementation.  The Consultants shall support the Advisory Group and serve as the technical resource for development of the Plan.

(c)   The following persons, and such others as may be appointed by the Mayor, shall be members of the Advisory Group:

(c.1)   Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (“Planning Commission”), who shall chair the Advisory Group;

(c.2)   A representative (each with an alternate designated for the duration of the initiative) from each of: Dickinson Narrows Civic Association, Fishtown Neighbors Association, Franklin Bridge North, Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, Northern Liberties Neighbors Association, Old City Civic Association, Old Swede’s Court Homeowners’ Association, Pennsport Civic Association, Port Richmond on Patrol and Civic Association, Queen Village Neighbors Association, River’s Edge Community Association, Society Hill Civic Association, Society Hill Towers Homeowners’ Association, and Whitman Council;

(c.3)   A representative (each with an alternate designated for the duration of the initiative) from each of: South Street/Headhouse District, Center City District, and Old City District;

(c.4)   A representative (each with an alternate designated for the duration of the initiative) from each of: Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia African-American, Philadelphia Asian-American, and Philadelphia Hispanic Chambers of Commerce;

(c.5)   A representative (each with an alternate designated for the duration of the initiative) from each private funding source that substantially funds this initiative;

(c.6)   The following persons, or their designees:

a.   Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
b.   Councilpersons from the First and Fifth Councilmanic Districts;
c.   Two Councilpersons-at-large, who shall not be from the same political party, designated by the Council President;
d.   State Senator from the First District;
e.   State Representatives from the 175th, 177th and 184th Districts;
f.    City Solicitor;
g.   Commerce Director;
h.   Managing Director;
i.    Secretary of External Affairs;
j.    Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Commission;
k.   Director of Region VI of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation;
l.    General Manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority;
m.  President of Penn’s Landing Corporation;
n.   Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware River Port Authority;
o.   Executive Director of Philadelphia Regional Port Authority;
p.   Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission;
q.   Captain of the Port of Philadelphia; and
r.    President of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.   

(d)   A Steering Committee shall undertake all day-to-day operations on behalf of the Advisory Group and ensure the Advisory Group is kept fully informed. 
 
(e)   The Steering Committee shall be comprised of the following persons, and such other persons appointed by the Mayor:

(e.1)   The Executive Director of the Planning Commission, who shall chair the Steering Committee;

(e.2)   Three civic association representatives, selected from among and solely by those members of the Advisory Group designated under Section 1(c)(2) of this Order, who in making such selection shall ensure geographic diversity;

(e.3)   One representative of a business district, selected from among and solely by those members of each such group who are designated as members of the Advisory Group under Section 1(c)(3) of this Order;

(e.4)   One representative of a chamber of commerce, selected from among and solely by those members of each such group who are designated as members of the Advisory Group under Section 1(c)(4) of this Order;

(e.5)   A representative of a funding organization, selected from among and solely by those members of the Advisory Group designated under Section 1(c)(5) of this Order;

(e.6)   A district City Councilmember, selected from among and solely by those members of the Advisory Group designated under Section (1)(c)(6)(b) and (c); and,

(e.7)   The Commerce Director.

(f)   The Advisory Group and Steering Committee shall each meet from time to time as is necessary.  All meetings of the Advisory Group and the Steering Committee shall be open to the public.  Such meetings shall be publicized through a notice that will specify whether there will be an opportunity for the public to observe or to provide public comment.

(g)  The Advisory Group shall cease to exist on May 31, 2009, unless earlier terminated or extended by executive order.

Section 2.                ADMINISTRATION COOPERATION
  
City departments and agencies shall provide the Advisory Group with such cooperation as may be reasonable and appropriate.

Section 3.                EFFECTIVE DATE
  
This order is effective immediately.

    
                                    _________________________   

                                    John F. Street, Mayor

                                    Signed this ____ day of October, 2006