Central Philadelphia Development Corporation

Programs: The viaduct railpark project is dedicated to the transformation of the defunct and blighted former reading railroad viaduct into a public open green space for the use by workers, residents, and visitors to the center city philadelphia area. The transformation of the derelict 4. 5-acre elevated reading railroad viaduct in philadelphia, running from 11th and vine streets to 9th and fairmount with a western spur at noble street, into a public amenity and park will have a catalytic impact, creating both temporary and permanent jobs and stimulating new commercial and housing investment in an area immediately adjacent to philadelphia's thriving and expanding downtown. The first phase of the project encompasses the renovation of a one quarter mile section running from 11th and callowhill streets to broad and noble streets. Construction on the first phase of the project began in november 2016 and is expected to be completed during 2018.

community capacity building programs: to support business and residential attraction and retention, cpdc disseminates its research data on business and employment trends, promotes the expansion of residential activity, advocates for more competitive tax policies and generates marketing materials on the strengths of center city. The annual state of center city report, bi-weekly email newsletters, and other publications produced in conjunction with the ccd are distributed to all members in addition to the quarterly meetings at which issue-specific position papers and panel discussions are presented to all members. Cpdc also provides program support for the activities of cptma on regional transportation issues. Cpdc had 100 members at the end of 2017.

tax reform study: cpdc undertook various research and advocacy efforts to encourage a more competitive municipal tax structure. Cpdc completed and published a report entitled, "pathways to job growth," and has continued to do research on employment trends throughout the city and compared them to employment trends in other comparable cities. The results of this and ongoing cpdc support of additional activities relating to tax reform have resulted in a broad range of business, labor and civic organizations - the philadelphia jobs growth coalition - joining together with the mayor of philadelphia and a bipartisan group of state legislators to formally announce the state lawmakers' plans to introduce legislation in harrisburg aimed at reforming the city of philadelphia's tax code to help create tens of thousands of jobs.

homeless behavior study