MAYOR NUTTER TO KICK OFF 2011 “SPLASH AND SUMMER FUNd” CAMPAIGN TO KEEP CITY POOLS OPEN

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
Bob Kane, First Niagra, Eastern Pennsylvania Regional President
Mike DiBerardinis, Commissioner, Department of Parks & Recreation
Sue Slawson, Commissioner, Department of Recreation

WHAT: Mayor Nutter will kick off the 2011 “Splash and Summer FUNd” campaign. This fundraising effort has a goal of $600,000, which will keep the City’s 70 public pools open throughout the 2011 summer season. Corporate sponsors including First Niagra, which donated $400,000 in 2010 to the “Splash and Summer FUNd”, will join the Mayor in kicking off this year’s campaign. First Niagra’s Eastern Pennsylvania Regional President Bob Kane will chair the 2011 campaign and new contributions will be announced.

 

WHERE: City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room Room 202
WHEN: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 2:00 P.M.

MAYOR NUTTER RELEASES REPORT DETAILING IMPACT OF HR 1 ON PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia, February 28, 2011- Mayor Michael A. Nutter criticized federal budget cuts that have been passed by the 112^th U.S. House of Representatives and called on the U.S. Senate to reject those cuts. The House of Representatives passed House Resolution (HR) 1, which includes $59 billion in spending cuts for the current fiscal year. Those cuts will now be considered by the Senate, which returns from a recess this morning.

These spending reductions will extend to nearly every area of government and will directly impact states and cities including Philadelphia. HR 1, if enacted as written by the Senate, will cut at least $148.9 million in funds to Philadelphia, according to an analysis done by the Mayor’s Office, and will adversely affect the delivery of services and programs to residents.

“These cuts to Philadelphia will be devastating to our residents, especially the most vulnerable and will touch all areas of government including public safety, education and housing. Community Block Grant will be cut by 66 percent. This funding is a primary tool used by cities to increase economic opportunity, eradicate blight and build housing. We will also lose 60 percent of funding devoted to summer jobs for youth, $1.5 million in LIHEAP funds, which provides heating assistance for Philadelphia residents, and half of the funding for lead poisoning prevention. These cuts will impact every aspect of how services are delivered to Philadelphians,” said Mayor Nutter. “Congress needs to act to prevent a devastating blow to cities and states across America. These funding cuts will undermine the progress made in Philadelphia since 2008.”

This weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives discussed a compromise of a two-week, stopgap federal spending bill that will extend the budget deadline past March 4. If passed, this bill would include fewer spending cuts. However, it is likely to be part of a continuing resolution and would offer only a temporary delay to the implementation of the larger spending cuts detailed in HR 1.

Mayor Nutter will continue to meet with Philadelphia’s Congressional delegation to discuss ways to advocate for Philadelphia.

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA NAMED LEADER IN TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION

Philadelphia, February 25, 2011- Today the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a study that recognizes Philadelphia as a “Smarter City” for its implementation of innovative transportation policies and practices. The NRDC study, conducted in collaboration with the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), recognized Philadelphia for implementing efficient and sustainable initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life, boosting the local economy, improving health and reducing pollution.

The study recognized Philadelphia for taking a complete streets approach to transportation, increasing walking and bicycling amenities for residents and working to improve transit service. It references the new South Street Bridge’s wider sidewalks, separate pedestrian entrances and bicycle lanes that allow vehicles to safely and efficiently travel across the Schuylkill River. The U.S. Department of Transportation selected the City for a $17.5 million grant through the highly competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program to fund a variety of projects that will close critical gaps in walking and bicycle trails across Philadelphia.

The study also recognizes the City’s partnership with SEPTA, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Food Trust to identify transit locations throughout the City that would provide citizens with access to fresh food markets. Target 10 of the Greenworks Philadelphia plan aims to bring local food within a 10 minute walk for 75 percent of residents.

“The City is committed to identifying and implementing initiatives that improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Mayor Nutter. “We’re building a more livable City increasing fresh food and recreational opportunities and creating new opportunities for our citizens to live healthier and happier lives.”

Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities, Rina Cutler said, “I am proud to have Philadelphia recognized for the work we are doing to give every resident and visitor real choices in how the travel around our city.”

The NRDC study relied on U.S. Census data and the CNT H+T Affordability Index (htaindex.cnt.org), which quantifies household transportation costs by location. To access the NRDC study, log onto http://www.nrdc.org/

Deputy Mayor Gillison, Fire Commissioner Ayers To Address Mutual Aid Agreement With New Jersey

WHO: Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers

WHAT: Deputy Mayor Gillison and Commissioner Ayers will discuss Philadelphia’s mutual aid agreement with the State of New Jersey signed July 2008.

This agreement codifies how fire departments assist each other during catastrophic events—when a local jurisdiction’s resources are overwhelmed and will likely result in a prolonged, multi-day operation.

WHERE: Outside the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Boulevard

WHEN: Friday, February 18, 2011 3:30 p.m. TODAY

Mayor Nutter Announces 2010 Sales Of Philadelphia Hotel Rooms At All Time High

February 18, 2011 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that, despite the economic recession, hotels in Philadelphia sold more rooms than ever before in 2010. In its end-of year report, Smith Travel Research, a firm that monitors and analyzes hotel trends, reported that approximately four million room nights were sold in Philadelphia in 2010, as compared to approximately 3.74 million hotel room nights that were sold in 2009.

Currently, there are about 15,000 rooms available every day in Philadelphia. These sales results demonstrate the resiliency of the tourism and hospitality industry and the value of a trip to Philadelphia, according to the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA) and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB).

“Record-breaking hotel sales figures in 2010 reflect the City’s forward momentum in rebounding from tough economic times,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism industry, which supports 56,000 jobs, is a significant driver of our local economy and we look forward to even more encouraging sales figures in the upcoming years.”

Ed Grose, Executive Director of the Greater Hotel Association of Philadelphia said, “The increase in occupancy over 2009 is even more significant as demand and supply in Philadelphia continue to grow.”

“With visitation expected to rise in all demand segments, and the convention center expansion opening in just a few weeks, we should see more hotels interested in joining the Philadelphia landscape. The next few years will be a very exciting time in the Philadelphia hotel industry,” Grose said.

PKF Consulting reported that convention and group travelers occupied 35% of booked hotel rooms, individual business travelers- 31% of booked hotel rooms; and individual leisure travelers- 30% of booked hotel rooms.

Smith Travel Research reported that:

● in 2010, hotel occupancy in Philadelphia reached 72%, up from 68% in 2009
● revenue per available room was $96 in 2010, up from $95 in 2009
● the average daily rate was $134, down from $139 in 2009
● Saturday night boasted the highest occupancy of the week at 79%
● Tuesday and Wednesday generated the highest average daily rate at $141

The leisure segment has been steadily on the rise, with leisure room nights tripling since GPTMC placed its first ad in 1997 and began its year-round presence in high-yield markets. These efforts have been complemented by an increase in international travel to Philadelphia since 2002 with the launch of new flights and the PCVB’s international marketing campaign. Corporate travel is making a healthy rebound and hotels are doing better than ever at booking their own meeting spaces, boosting the business travel segment.

Visitors continue to come and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that they will keep filling our hotels in 2011 and beyond. First up, this March 9, the newly expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center will open on-time and on-budget beginning with the Philadelphia International Flower Show taking place simultaneously with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) convention (3,000 attendees; 8,920 room nights). Following right behind NASPA is the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (A.O.R.N.) — the first convention to use the entire expanded convention center from March 18-24 (14,000 attendees; 27,026 room nights). Combined, these conventions will generate more than $40 million in economic impact in March.

Visitors will also come for new attractions, such as the National Museum of American Jewish History, Liberty 360, The President’s House and soon-to-be-relocated Barnes Foundation (opening in 2012), along with blockbuster exhibitions and festivals like the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (April 7 – May 1). Adding to these, Independence National Historical Park and our destination-defining annual events, including the Philadelphia International Flower Show, the Philadelphia Marathon, Wawa Welcome America, Global Fusion Festival, just to name a few, are significant draws.

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The Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association serves the interests of over 80 hotels throughout the region. Our members employ over 14,000 people and have over 30,000 rooms. www.philadelphiahotelassoc.org.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. www.visitphilly.com or www.uwishunu.com.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority manages the largest investment in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Expansion opens in March 2011 with 62% more space than before (one million square feet). The 14th-largest convention center in the United States has a focus on the best customer service and state-of-the-art technology in the industry. www.paconvention.com.

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), a private non-profit membership corporation, focuses on the convention, tradeshow, meetings, group tour and international tourism markets. The PCVB is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel.

Smith Travel Research tracks supply and demand data for the hotel industry and provides valuable market share analysis for all major international hotel chains and brands. To learn more, visit www.strglobal.com

Colliers PKF Consulting USA is a national firm of management consultants, industry specialists, and appraisers who provide a full range of services to the hospitality, real estate, and tourism industries. Each month, PKF produces the Philadelphia Area Hospitality Industry Snapshot report, jointly sponsored by GPHA, GPTMC and PCVB. To learn more, visit http://www.pkfc.com/en/

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR NUTTER ON REVEREND MARGUERITE E. HANDY

Philadelphia, February 16, 2011 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter issued the following statement on the death of Reverend Dr. Marguerite E. Handy, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives:

“Reverend Marguerite Handy was a woman of faith, a strong advocate for the vulnerable, a true friend to everyone she knew, and a beautiful person. Reverend Handy brought warmth and eternal optimism to the Mayor’s Office and the Greater Philadelphia clergy community. She cared deeply about government’s role in improving the lives of people all across the city, and she was dedicated to ensuring all communities of faith had access to city government. Reverend Handy was a friend and advisor to me and individuals in my Administration, and we’re all very saddened at her passing.”

Reverend Handy began her public service with city government in 2004. After years in the healthcare industry with Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Reverend Handy felt the calling for religious pastoral care and then public service. A minister of Mount Pisgah AME Church, she was consistently recognized by the Greater Philadelphia community as being a dedicated community servant.
She was a leader during the Peaceful Surrender initiative, which encouraged individuals with outstanding warrants to take responsibility for their actions and turn themselves in to their religious leaders. She also coordinated with Philadelphia clergy to persuade cooperation and implement HIV testing and prevention education by congregations throughout the city. Reverend Handy provided vision, innovation and pastoral care while tackling some of the most difficult issues of city faces.

“Reverend Handy deeply loved working in the AME church and especially with her home congregation. She also was committed to her family especially her children Pamela, Christopher, Kenneth and Douglas. We’re all very saddened by her passing, but we know her legacy will continue to affect the lives of the communities she selflessly and tirelessly served,” said Mayor Nutter.

OEO Announces 1st Quarter FY2012 Participation, Rate Exceeds Goal

Philadelphia, February 16, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the release of the Office of Economic Opportunity’s (OEO) first quarter report for Fiscal Year 2012, which highlights that the City’s operating departments have achieved a 26.6% participation rate exceeding the 25% goal. Additionally, for the first time, the report offers a quarter to quarter comparison of participation activity. This report summarizes the Minority, Women and Disabled Owned Business Enterprises (M/W/DBEs) participation on contracts awarded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and some of the recent changes adopted by the Administration to strengthen the inclusion strategy.

Three key changes introduced in this report are the following:

A reduction in the participation credit given to non-stocking suppliers on Public Works contracts. Non-stocking suppliers are businesses that do not carry inventory;
An adjustment to Citywide contracts for “no opportunity for participation” transactions, which refers to sectors without adequate M/W/DBE representation to reach the participation goal; and
Recognition of Minority and Women lead advisors in major firms.

The purpose of these changes is to highlight areas where there are opportunities for business development and inclusion over the long term.

A total of $313 million in for profit contracts was awarded by the City and quasi-government agencies during the first quarter of FY 2012. The funding level includes federally-funded projects. Total contract awards, for the purpose of this report, have been adjusted to reflect $53.3 million in transactions with “no opportunity for participation”; thus, the net awards analyzed are valued at $260 million. The report highlights include:

Operating departments exceeded the City’s goal of 25% and achieved a 26.6% participation rate on $140.8 million in contract awards. M/W/DBEs were awarded $37.4 million. This achievement is noteworthy given the reduction in participation on Public Works contracts as a result of the minimization of participation recorded for non-stocking suppliers.

The net portion of citywide contracts awarded, for which participation was applicable, totaled $7.1 million. M/W/DBEs were awarded $1.6 million representing 23.1% participation on this adjusted portfolio of contracts. These citywide contracts—which include work to provide water treatment chemicals, petroleum products and pharmaceutical supplies to the City—pose a challenge to raise participation goals as the sectors are without adequate M/W/DBE representation.

Quasi-government agencies, including the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the Philadelphia Housing and Development Corporation and the Redevelopment Authority, awarded contracts totaling $98.6 million with 28.1% M/W/DBE participation.
The City and Quasi-government contracts valued at $246 million achieved 27.1% participation overall.
Federally-funded projects had a 47.1% participation rate, dramatically up from 16.8% in FY2011, in large part due to a minority firm winning a significant contract as a prime contractor. Federally-funded projects are reported separately when participation goals are driven by the federal agency.

In recent years, OEO has expanded the registry by 50% to over 2,000 companies from 1,334 companies in January of 2010. Sixty-five percent of registered businesses are located in the Greater Philadelphia region.
The 1^st quarter report includes “INSIDE OEO”, a section describing changes that will impact the way OEO operates. New systems will increase efficiency and enable certified firms to register online. For example, “Inside OEO” describes how the Executive Order expanding the role of Project Labor Agreements will foster stronger union relations and recent Economic Opportunity Plan legislation will generate more transparency.

OEO continues to rely on traditional alliance relationships with the Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC), the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) and the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (PA DGS) to build the City’s data base of M/W/DBEs. In addition, OEO encourages departments and businesses who partner with certified firms that are not in the Registry to request that they register. OEO continues to set goals that are data driven and monitors the compliance of primes and sub-contractors. Outreach remains a critical part of the OEO mission. Regular programs provide the business community with access to emerging opportunities, market intelligence and business connections. A copy of this report or a calendar of events visit www.phila.gov/oeo or call 215-683-2057.

The Office of Economic Opportunity promotes the economic development of Minority- Women- and Disabled-owned business enterprises through its OEO Registry, bid/RFP participation targets and contract compliance activities. In addition, OEO has ongoing interaction with other City departments, quasi-public agencies and the private and non-profit sectors. Monthly meetings are held to educate vendors and contractors about opportunities to do business with the City, PGW, PA Department of General Services, PIDC and SEPTA. For details visit the OEO website at www.phila.gov/oeo or call 215-683-2057. OEO has been headed by Angela Dowd-Burton since March 2010.

MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION IN NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS, CELEBRATES JOBS WEEK

Philadelphia, February 14, 2011- Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the recipients of the 2011 Neighborhood Economic Development grants, which are funded by $1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The grants support the completion of community development corporation capital projects. The Commerce Department awarded grants to these nine organizations with the goal of supporting economic development projects in neighborhoods throughout the city. The selected projects are in areas that meet CDBG funding eligibility requirements targeting low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. This event is part of Jobs Week—a series of jobs-related economic opportunity events held throughout the city announcing the development, retention and expansion of businesses in Philadelphia.

The Neighborhood Economic Development grants reflect the Administration’s commitment to assist businesses, revitalize neighborhood commercial areas, stabilize and expand employment in the city, and eliminate blight. Awardees were selected through a competitive process in which professional staff from Commerce, RDA, OHCD Planning, and City Council. The awards range from $50,000 to $350,000 and will be utilized for economic development planning, pre-development and development activities. The $1 million in funding will help the organizations leverage $106 million in additional public and private investments. These projects are expected to create 368 permanent jobs.

“This week, we have announced developments and expansions with some of the largest corporations in Philadelphia. Today, we are celebrating the growth and prosperity of small businesses in Philadelphia, which are critical economic engines in our city,” said Mayor Nutter. “We are making strategic investments in Philadelphia’s vibrant neighborhoods. These capital developments will directly impact the lives of our citizens whether by providing productive work, new public facilities or new opportunities for education.”

Throughout the week, Mayor Nutter has hosted a series of jobs-related economic opportunity events announcing the development or expansion of businesses in Philadelphia. On Tuesday, the Mayor attended the groundbreaking of 600 North Broad Street, a mixed-use venue that will create 39,000 square feet of new, commercial space. He also announced that GlaxoSmithKline will move their Philadelphia operations to a new, $80 million, LEED Platinum-certified facility at The Navy Yard. Later during the week, the Mayor highlighted the expansion of Urban Outfitters’ headquarters, which will be expanded into two buildings at The Navy Yard. The expansion will bring 1,000 permanent jobs to the city over the next three years. On Thursday, the Mayor delivered remarks at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayoral Address.

“These awards demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that Philadelphia remains a wonderful place to live and to visit, for all kinds of people up and down the income spectrum”, said Kevin Dow the Commerce Department’s Chief Operating Officer.

2011 Neighborhood Economic Development Grant Recipients:

• • Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation: Development of an eastern tower located at 1001-1011 Vine Street. The proposed development will include a multi-purpose community center, ground floor retail space, and residential space. Creation of 50-75 jobs after development.
  • The Enterprise Center: Construction of the Center for Culinary Enterprises (CCE) on the site of a vacant supermarket property located at 310 S. 48th Street. The CCE will be a comprehensive food business incubator – a powerful engine for creating jobs and new community-based food businesses, engaging youth, helping to overcome critical food access obstacles, and serving as a hub of accessible food industry resources. Creation of 101 proposed full-time jobs.
  • People for People: Renovation of an unoccupied two-story facility to be used for retail space. The space will house the PFP Café which will create 60 unemployed, underemployed, and/or dislocated welfare-to-work clients with hands-on job readiness management training quality to helping to prepare those interested in starting their own small business and will provide two (2) full-time positions and one (1) part time position. The development will be located between Broad Street & Fairmount Avenue. Creation of 1 full-time job.
  • Beech Interplex: Development of International House a mixed use facility located close to the Temple University campus. Located on the 1500 of Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Creation of 200 full-time jobs.
  • Esperanza: Development of a mixed use facility also containing an educational and arts center. Creation of 8 full-time jobs.
  • Community Legal Services: Construction of a four-story building to be used as offices for Community Legal Services. The development will be located at 1402-1412 Erie Avenue. Creation of 2 full-time jobs.
  • Mt. Airy USA: Predevelopment and construction of the Mt. Airy Transit Village. The development will be located at Washington Lane and Chew Avenue.
  • Center in the Park: Predevelopment resources to support engagement of a consultant(s) to establish a community internet café and performance venue business along the Germantown-Chelten commercial corridor. The project will provide five (5) full and part time positions.
  • Korean Community Development Services Corporation: Corridor beautification, façade improvement, and corridor greening. The activities will take place at 5th Street and Roosevelt Boulevard.

MAYOR NUTTER TO ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter

Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez

Reverend Luis Cortes Jr., President and CEO of Esperanza

WHAT: Mayor Nutter and the Commerce Department will announce the recipients of the 2011 Neighborhood Economic Development Grants, which support development projects in low- to moderate- income neighborhoods.

This event marks the conclusion of Jobs Week, a series of jobs-related economic opportunity events held throughout the city.

WHERE: Esperanza, 4261 N. 5^th St.
WHEN: Monday, February 14, 2011 12:00 p.m.

MAYOR NUTTER APPOINTS NEW MEMBER TO ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Philadelphia, February 2, 2010- Mayor Michael A. Nutter has appointed Jeff Rush to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).

“Jeff is a lifelong Philadelphian and has demonstrated his tremendous commitment to his city through service in civic organizations across the city,” said Mayor Nutter. “I thank him for his willingness to serve on the ZBA.”

Mr. Rush has owned and operated Lube Master, Inc., an auto maintenance and repair facility, since 1996 located in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia. Mr. Rush previously served Vice Chair of the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, which worked with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation on the Master Plan for the Central Delaware. He has served as a board member on the Interstate Land Management Corporation since its inception in 1992 and previously served as the Vice President of the Queen Village Neighbors Association. Mr. Rush also served in the United States Army as an assistant to the Brigade Commander of the 101^st Airborne

“I would like to thank the Mayor for appointing me to the ZBA. I have long supporting zoning and planning reform and understand the necessity of these vital services for a 21^st century city. I look forward to further serving Philadelphia in this capacity,” said Jeff Rush.

The ZBA is a departmental board of the Department of Licenses and Inspections comprised of five members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Mayor. The ZBA hears and decides appeals in zoning matters, considers special ordinances and grants variances.

Mr. Rush attended Temple University and graduated from Central High School.