Upcoming October Reveal of Navy Yard Master Plan Update

New GSK building

The Philadelphia Navy Yard will soon reach a 20 year goal to employ 10,000 workers in 2013.  with the help of GlaxoSmithKline, who will be finishing construction on its new Philadelphia facility at Five Crescent Drive, the companies 1,350 current Center City employees will begin moving there in 2013.

This 20 year milestone was the prediction made by the task force then-Mayor Ed Rendell put together in 1992 to forge a plan for the future of the 1,200 acres on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers at the southern end of Broad Street.  The district is not even halfway to reaching its goal of 25,000 to 30,000 people working in The Navy Yard before the year 2030.  Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger, said it's likely that in 10 years the Navy Yard will be the city's third-largest job hub, behind Center City and university City.

In October, the Navy Yard is expected to release a new planning document.  The update tmo the current 2004 master plan done by Robert A.M. Stern Architects  will reflect changes in the physical reality of the land available, since a portion of land has gone to port expansion.  It will also update goals related to housing, transit, employment and amenities, such as restaurants, retail and additional green space and trail connections.

Urban Outfitters expansion

The focus will still remain on job creation with emphasis in the worlds of high-tech manufacturing, natural gas and alternative energy, and energy efficient construction.  The new plan will look at ways to better connect the Navy Yard with the city and region.  An environmental impact statement is being worked on concerning extending the subway to the Navy Yard.  Residential development has also been   a topic of discussion.  Companies feel housing will look more attractive to their employees, SEPTA feels an extension of the Broad Street Line is only feasible if people live there, and small businesses need more than just 9-5 customers to survive.  Housing would create a true community that is open for business all day long, seven days a week.

Source: PlanPhilly