Envision provided public outreach services on the recently completed Philadelphia 30th Street Station District Plan for Amtrak as part of the SOM/PB Team. It outlined a revolutionary new vision that will alter the western corridor of the city, modernize the 30th Street transportation hub, and spur economic growth and opportunities over the next three and half decades.
Changes entail $6.5 billion worth of infrastructure improvements and private funding. More open space, 18 million SF of development, a vibrant gateway to Center City, and a new mixed-use neighborhood on top of 88 acres of yard rails west of the Schuylkill River are all a part of this plan. The total site spans 175 acres from Walnut Street to Spring Garden Street, across Amtrak’s 30th Street Station, Drexel’s campus, and the Powelton section of the city. In addition to Amtrak, the plan’s partners included Brandywine Realty Trust, Drexel University, PennDOT, and SEPTA.
Envision was responsible for public outreach efforts. The firm created a Public Engagement Plan and a database to track and manage of all public inquiries. Other main tasks included: public engagement, information sharing, stakeholder engagement, public participation, public information, project principal assistance, website development and management, graphic design, and GIS. Envision also established the project hotline, tracked media coverage, and disseminated project-related news. For the creation of meeting materials, Envision’s graphic designers reinforced branding standards and relevant themes on such items as project boards, sign-in sheets, agendas, print and information materials, brochures, presentations, and assessment reports.
As facilitators of the Civic Advisory Group meetings and other public forums, Envision sought to generate community interest in the plan, provide a link between the community and the project team, and promote a respectful forum for ideas and suggestions. Participants included local business associations, civic association, home owner groups, community councils and other improvement groups, and community-based housing leaders. Envision identified and reserved meeting locations, prepared print and electronic versions of informational materials, prepared meeting minutes and other reports, and led break-out groups to discuss in-depth aspects of the plan. Each public meeting encouraged feedback and gathered unique community insight through live, online polling, as well as other computer, paper, and art visualization techniques.
Victoria Malaszecki, MBA, the firm’s President & CEO, leads the public outreach department. She was the liaison between Envision, Amtrak management, the project’s overall team, and other key stakeholders.
“The 30th Street Station District Plan is a marquee project for Envision, and for the entire city and the Northeast Corridor,” Malaszecki, a native of Philadelphia, said. “Within the last two years, we expanded our operations in Philadelphia, in order to be closer to our clients and teaming partners. As we worked on this project, we were able to build new relationships and showcase our talent in this arena. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a monumental undertaking, and look forward to continuing our service to Amtrak.”
For more information, please visit: http://www.phillydistrict30.com