Potential benefits of a fully connected waterfront greenway in Phila

Posted by on December 13, 2010

A Vision for Philadelphia’s Riverfronts

The November Schuylkill Soundings presentation focused on the potential benefits to Philadelphia of public access to its riverfronts. Rachel Vassar of PennFuture, a statewide environmental organization, highlighted a number of recommendations and findings from the report prepared earlier this year. PennFuture joined forces with over 50 environmental groups to create the “Coalition for Philadelphia’s Riverfronts.”

In alignment with the City of Philadelphia’s “Green City, Clean Waters” and “GreenWorks” programs, the Coalition operates on the principle that environmental action is part of economic growth. One of the goals of the report, prepared by Econsult Corporation of Philadelphia, was to quantify the economic impact on Philadelphia of environmentally friendly zoning for the riverfronts. The Coalition also has committed to creating economic growth using environmental actions that involve little or no financial outlay.

Vassar presented findings that demonstrated a positive impact in a number of areas, including health, environment, real estate values, and tourism – if Philadelphia increases access to its waterfronts so that 75 percent of all Philadelphians can be within one-half mile of access to one of the riverfronts. This access can range from a narrow walking/biking path to a large park with a number of activities available.

For example, the report determined that this access would increase the number of bike commuters by 1,500 individuals, saving one million vehicle miles per year. Even though the report deliberately used conservative findings, the health benefits of the riverfront access could be as high as $20 million per year in healthcare cost savings.

If the added access increased tourism by only one percent, this would mean $50 million per year in benefits to the City due to additional hotel nights, restaurant use, and approximately 400 jobs created to meet the needs of the higher number of tourists.

The report does not make specific recommendations for specific sites; its purpose was to look at the riverfronts as a cohesive asset for Philadelphia and to provide guidance as the City goes through zoning and planning, urging a large strategic process rather than a piecemeal one.

Vassar mentioned that Philadelphia has begun this work, citing the very popular Schuylkill Banks Trail, utilized by 12,000-14,000 people on a typical weekend.

Questions for Vassar included asking for examples of what is being done now in other cities – San Antonio, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia were lauded for their work – as well as about maintenance of this extended riverfront access. Maintenance systems are in place now, Vassar noted, but they will have to be reviewed as public access areas grow.

To read the entire report, please go to: http://www.pennfuture.org/content.aspx?SectionID=233.