Restore Philadelphia Corridors
Street Improvement Project

Orth-Rodgers & Associates, Inc. (ORA) was retained by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) for a two year Open-End Agreement to provide a full range of professional services related to development of Transportation Enhancements projects.

PIDC’s project goals were to make the corridors under study more welcoming, safer, cleaner, to strengthen the existing businesses and to aid in bringing new businesses. These goals would be realized by developing streetscape enhancement projects that work with and for the local community and revitalize and restore the community.

PIDC and the City of Philadelphia intend to invest $34 million in these enhancement projects to revitalize the community. ORA’s role is to work with the local community development corporations (CDCs) to fulfill the PIDC’s vision, while keeping within the budgetary constraints and prepare an  implementable work plan leading to construction plans and construction.

ORA provided a broad range of services on the following corridors, reliant upon consensus-based project development and proactive public involvement – including concept plan developments, public outreach, cost-estimating, construction plan development, permitting, utility coordination and preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) packages.

• Vine Street – Chinatown
• Baltimore Avenue
• Ridge Avenue and Main Street
• Girard Avenue
• 5th Street – Golden Block
• Front and Kensington
• Germantown Avenue

Concept Plans, PS&E packages, and construction administration services are scheduled to be completed by Fall 2009.