Neighborhood Plans

2003 Neighborhood Plan (12MB)
This neighborhood plan was developed in 2003 through the partnership of NKCDC and PHS's Philadelphia Green. Through vacant land use efforts and other NKCDC initiatives, both partners recognized that rather than implementing projects incrementally, the community needed an overall infrastructure plan -- coordinated with circulation and land use -- that would define and sustain the civic landscape of the area and be the core of future planning efforts. This planning effort, led by Wallace Roberts and Todd, an urban planning and design firm, provides strategy and recommendations for creating a sustainable urban environment.

Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor Plan (9MB)
In 2004, NKCDC, with collaboration from the community, Group G Architects and Market Knowledge consultants, created a comprehensive plan for the development of the Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor. Built on Kensington's history, current assets, and changes occurring in the neighborhood, this plan outlines economic improvement, design, promotion and organization strategies that are key to making Frankford Avenue a vibrant arts corridor.

NKCDC Riverfront Plan (8MB)
After more than a year of planning, community organizing and collective dreaming, the neighborhoods of Fishtown, Kensington, and Port Richmond have developed a community-driven plan for Delaware Riverfront in the near Northeast. Community members coordinated with architects, planners, city and state agencies and NKCDC to dream a new future for the four miles of riverfront from Spring Garden Street to the Betsy Ross Bridge. This plan is the intermediate step between the far-reaching Civic Vision for the Central Delaware and eventual master plans for individual parks and streetscapes. It is an opportunity for residents to leverage the energy and investment currently surrounding Philadelphia's riverfronts as well as the reconstruction of I-95 in order to provide a real boon for the river wards. The overall goal of the plan is to reconnect residents to the river through a series of gateways that will make the waterfront more publicly accessible, safe and vibrant.

Norris Street Passage (14MB)
In 2008 NKCDC began working with residents of the 2100 block of Norris Street (spanning between Front Street and Frankford Avenue) to address challenges on their block. That summer neighbors began meeting with NKCDC and Interface Studios to provide input for a plan for Norris Street. Ultimate goals of the plan include increasing connectivity between the Berks subway station and the main commercial corridor, as well as creating an increased sense of safety for pedestrians. 

Frankford Avenue Streetscape Design Concepts (8MB)
NKCDC has hired Group G, a seasoned urban design firm, to create a plan for the revitalization of Frankford Avenue. The project focuses on the area encompassed by Trenton and York Streets. Design components range from post-modern bus shelters to different types of trees. The $1.8 million grant is part of Home Town Streets, a program implemented by PennDOT to promote safe walking corridors around the state of Pennsylvania. It is further supported by funding from the William Penn Foundation for a total of over $2 million in improvements to Frankford Avenue. 

Frankford Avenue Design Guidelines (85KB)
In January of 2007. the East Kensington Neighborhors Association, Fishtown Neighbors Association and NKCDC join forces to create design guidelines for the Frankford Avenue commercial corridor and the adjacent streets. As rehab and new construction projects are proposed in these neighborhoods, it is important that the developments respect the integrity and history of the community. The hope is that this document helps create a healthy relationship between the builders and the residents.