Title
Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund, the Director of Commerce.
Body
WHEREAS, Business corridors (also known as commercial corridors) are the lifeblood of communities and neighborhoods throughout the City. They serve as economic engines, places where small businesses and entrepreneurs exist side-by-side with franchises and chain stores. Many business corridors are also residential blocks, with residents living directly above the stores. According to OpenDataPhilly, there are 278 "commercial corridors, centers, districts, and projects that provide consumer-oriented goods and services, including retail, food and beverage, and personal, professional, and business services"; and
WHEREAS, While some business corridors in our City benefit from organized, sustained support from CDCs, BIDs, special services districts, and/or neighborhood-based organizations, many business corridors do not have such support. According to the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC), there are 37 "Supported Commercial Corridors," which "are those whose managing group is either in the CDC Tax Credit Program, receives grants from the Philadelphia Commerce Department for corridor management and/or cleaning, or is an active PACDC member with other forms of meaningful corridor support and staff." Unfortunately, the support business corridors may or may not receive has created a system of "haves" and "have nots," with some business corridors remaining relatively clean and well-maintained, while others struggle with litter, blight, storefront maintenance, and branding challenges; and
WHEREAS, While the City has recently done more to assist its business corridors, from a street sweeping pilot program to an increased financial commitment for FY20, the City could still do more to ensure that its business corridors are thriving; and
WHE...
Click here for full text