THE LOWER SCHUYLKILL CONTINUES TO ADVANCE

by PIDC
October 21, 2016

Explore Categories

The Lower Schuylkill is continuing its transformation into a great revitalization story for Philadelphia.  In 2013 a long-term plan was introduced to reposition the 3,700-acre, historically industrial corridor as a modern, integrated network of three distinct business campuses.

Last month PIDC held a press event with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and University of Pennsylvania at the Pennovation Works on the banks of the Lower Schuylkill River to announce completion of a $600,000 investment by PIDC and the EPA which has helped in realizing the first major development in the Lower Schuylkill River Innovation District. The Pennovation Works is a key site within the Innovation District which is planned as a 512-acre advanced research and development campus on the east and west banks of the river. On October 28th, a grand opening is planned to celebrate the development project.

During the press event the EPA announced its $829,000 grant award to PAID to re-capitalize its revolving Environmental Remediation Fund for brownfield remediation.  The fund provides low-cost loans to Philadelphia landowners seeking to clean up contamination on their properties.  The program seeks sites predominantly located in the Lower Schuylkill area of Philadelphia, however sites located elsewhere in the City will also be considered.

“Brownfields funding helps communities remove critical barriers to redevelopment and reuse,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “This funding supports Philadelphia’s plans for improving the quality of life of residents by reclaiming areas for housing, commercial development and open space and at the same time protecting public health and the environment.”

If you have a project in Philadelphia in need of a Phase I or Phase II assessment, you may be eligible for free environmental assessments.  Contact Chamor Hollinger at to see if your project is eligible. The assessments cover soil and groundwater contamination.  Buildings with asbestos or other contaminants are not eligible at this time.  Sites within the Lower Schuylkill have first priority, however other City sites will also be considered.

Read the full press release here.

More information on EPA’s brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

 

Explore Categories