Accomplishments

My position in City Council has afforded me the opportunity to make some very positive changes for our city.  Here are a few that I am most proud of.

City-wide:

• Brought city-wide attention to the fight to protect the riverwards from the advent of casinos and the quality-of-life concerns that they bring.
• Crafted a compromise that allowed for the passage of a city-wide smoking ban with provisions that protected the smallest local establishments.
• Worked with Mayor Street to create the Central Delaware Working Group that will create a Delaware River Waterfront Masterplan.

• Played a significant role in convincing Council colleagues to vote in favor of Wireless Philadelphia creating the country’s largest municipal-sponsored wi-fi network.
• Lead the 2005 effort to maintain all of our fire companies – and won!
• Fought to maintain our local library branches – and won again!
• Defeated PGW’s proposal to create a Liquid Natural Gas facility that would have endangered every riverfront neighborhood.
• In 2003, fought massive property tax increases across the City and successfully reduced thousands of property owners’ bills.  In 2005 and 2006, led the effort to make the Board of Revision of Taxes’ full value proposal workable and successfully delayed and, hopefully, defeated the project.
• Wrote the 10-year Tax Abatement legislation that has lead to tens of millions of dollars in new construction projects and has helped transform Philadelphia.
• Teaming with Councilmember Kenney, battled to lock in long-term wage tax deductions.
• Enacted the first gender equity bill in the country.

In your neighborhood:

Bella Vista

• Provided funding to improve Palumbo Recreation Center.
• Led efforts for multi-million dollar renovations to the Italian Market/Ninth Street’s streetscape.
• Forced the transformation of the vacant property at 7th and Fitzwater Streets after decades of abandonment.
• Supported Bella Vista Town Watch in their efforts to encourage responsible development throughout their neighborhood.
• Worked to create responsible residential development on former House of Industry site.

Chinatown

• Provided funding for Independence Branch Library and established the first Chinese book section in the City.
• Secured funding for the City’s famous “Chinatown Gate” and supported the creation of Chinatown’s Gateway.
• Protected the fire station at 10th and Cherry.
• Assisted in funding the proposed Chinatown Community Center

Fishtown/ Kensington

• Acquired funds for Conrad Square with East Kensington Neighbors Association and friends of Black Coyle McBride Playground.
• Provided funding for St. Anne’s Senior Center and “Coral St. Arts House” in partnership with New Kensington CDC.
• Assisted with renovations at Friends of Penn Treaty Park.
• Supported neighborhood planning efforts and development concerns with Fishtown Neighbors Association and New Kensington Community Development Corporation.

Hawthorne

• Oversaw demolition of blighted housing project at 12th and Bainbridge and replaced with affordable and market rate housing, revitalizing the area.
• Continues to support and seek funding for a public park at 12th and Catherine Streets.
• Supported Hawthorne in their efforts to develop the Lofts at Bella Vista at 11th and Washington Ave and continues to support the community’s wishes with the development of Broad and Washington Avenue.
• Supported Hawthorne in their efforts to develop lofts on the 1300 block of South St.
• Assisted in opening two of the preeminent schools in the City: the School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and the Academy at Palumbo.

Northern Liberties

• Helped create and fund Orianna Hill Dog Park.
• Secured and protected Liberty Lands Park.
• Convinced Mayor Street to donate the parcel of land at 3rd and Fairmount to Northern Liberties Neighbors Association to be used as a community center. 
• Worked in conjunction with NLNA and the developer to gain approvals for the 4th largest residential tower in the country – all with community support and approval!

Old City

• Assisted in the transformation of Franklin Square.
• Protected both the ladder and engine companies at the firehouse at 4th and Arch Streets.
• Enacted and strengthened zoning provisions to protect the history and character of the neighborhood.
• Worked with the Civic Association and Business District to tackle nuisance bars including Club M and others.

Passyunk Square

• Provided funds for Columbus Square recreation center improvements.
• Began the transformation of the “Ice House” into an assisted living facility.
• Provided funds for the expansion of the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center.
• Worked with the Passyunk Avenue Business District to create new restaurants, retail and other commercial opportunities.

Pennsport

• Organized public meetings with Philadelphia Water Department to work with neighbors on the severe flooding that has occurred.
• Envisioned and successfully completed the public-private partnership that transformed Jefferson Square into a mixed-income neighborhood – and recently was nationally recognized by Forbes Magazine!
• Provided funding for the maintenance and programs of Rizzo Rink.
• Provided funding for the soon to be constructed Herron Playground.

Port Richmond

• Provided funds for improvements to Campbell Square.
• Saved firehouses at Ontario St. and Belgrade St.
• Provided funds to Cione Playground for the expansion of the field house, improved field lighting and construction of a hockey rink.

Queen Village

• Sponsored legislation to create the first Neighborhood Conservation District to protect the neighborhood’s historic and distinctive fabric.
• Oversaw demolition of blighted housing projects at 5th and Washington and replaced them with mixed affordable and market rate housing. 
• Provided funding for streetscape improvements at 2nd and Christian Streets, improvements to Weccacoe Recreation Center and to maintain Bodine Garden.
• Sponsored and enacted legislation to control the construction of new garages throughout the neighborhood.

Society Hill

• Joined the Civic Association in fighting both the Dilworth House project and the New Market tower.
• Improved public safety by providing funds to improve pedestrian lighting throughout the neighborhood.
• Worked with neighbors to provide crosswalks and stop signs around Washington Square.
• Partnering with the Civic Association, successfully preserved the façade at the St. James condominium project.

South Street

• Work with surrounding communities, the City and the police to create a task force to provide service and protection for Mardis Gras and the Greek Picnic as well as a continuous presence to battle nuisance liquor establishments.
• Provided funding to create a new streetscape for the entirety of the Street.
• Have worked with the business community to better facilitate relations with the neighboring communities and to make it more of a “neighborhood” shopping destination.
• Battled to maintain the South Street Mini-station and keep it adequately staffed.

Washington Square West

• Improved public safety by providing funds to improve pedestrian lighting throughout the neighborhood.
• Fought nuisance establishments like Signatures by working with neighbors and testifying in court.
• Continue to work in partnership with neighbors and the police to tackle the quality-of-life problems surrounding the 13th Street corridor
• Helped transform 13th Street into one of the most prosperous commercial corridors in the City.

Whitman

• Provided funding for soon to be constructed hockey rink, tot lot, and lighting at Berks Playground.
• Assisted in the organization of anti-graffiti program.
• Began a manual street sweeping program to address litter issues and improve quality-of-life.