Neighborhood revitalization will focus on parks and libraries under a new program in Philadelphia.
Julia Terruso reports on the process of launching the city of Philadelphia's Rebuild program—a $600 million initiative to "tackle more than 400 parks and city upgrades over the next six years." The upgrades include investments in recreation centers and libraries, in addition to the parks.
The occasion for Terruso's article is a decision by the city to hire four full-time staffers to oversee the program:
- Nicole Westerman, Executive Director of Rebuild
- Mary E. Stitt, Deputy Director of Workforce Diversity & Inclusion
- Kira Strong, Deputy Director of Design and Construction
- David Gould, Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Communications
"The city is borrowing $300 million to pay for the plan," adds Terruso. "Foundations are expected to kick in $100 million to $150 million and the remainder will come from federal and state grants."
For more background on the Rebuild program (full name: Rebuilding Community Infrastructure), see an article by Jared Brey and Katie Colaneri during the program's nascent moments in February 2016.
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