Revamped Germantown Plan to launch July 1st

Last year, Philadelphia’s Planning Commission staffers spent months conducting a study of the Chelten Avenue corridor, part of an effort to bring back shoppers and a better mix of businesses to the commercial district off Germantown Avenue. There was a lot of talk about property values, trash, crime, etc. What resulted was the Central Germantown Business District Beautification Plan, which took stock of the business offerings, documented problems such as nearly 22 percent vacancy in the retail district, and made 25 recommendations for everything from streetscape improvements to future zoning approaches. The only questions left were how to implement the recommendations and how to pay for it all.  To read more...