PRA Announces Highly Anticipated RFP for Eastwick | Office of the Mayor

Philadelphia, PA – August 15, 2016 –Today the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) announces its Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the Eastwick Planning Study.

In December of 2015, the City of Philadelphia and PRA reached an agreement with New Eastwick Corporation (NEC) to release any development rights for 134 acres of land in Eastwick. PRA and the City committed financial compensation to NEC, as well as agreed to carry out a planning and feasibility study to engage the community to determine the best use for the property. This RFP seeks to identify a consultant to lead the planning process.

Since 1961, NEC has had a redevelopment agreement to develop the Eastwick community in gradual stages.  In recent years, members of the Eastwick community became concerned about the development plans for the final stage. In response to those community concerns, PRA and the City began to work on a plan to solicit community involvement in the future development of Eastwick.

“For many years the people of Eastwick lived through a process that often did not take residents’ input into consideration,” said Greg Heller, Executive Director of PRA. “That is changing today! The settlement in December was a decisive action by the PRA and the City to show that we are listening and responding to the community’s voice. This planning process will have significant community engagement and participation. The eventual development of these 134 acres and other public lands will be guided by the desires of the Eastwick community as expressed in this planning study.”

The PRA, Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC), the Philadelphia Airport, and local officials will partner with community stakeholders to embark on the study.

 Responses to the RFP are due by September 15, and contracts should be awarded by late October 2016. Two community residents will sit on the committee to select the planning firm.