WHEREAS, Philadelphia is geographically situated along the Delaware River with the only port in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania having direct access to the Atlantic Ocean; and
WHEREAS, The Delaware River is in the process of being dredged and deepened for the second time to allow modern and larger container ships to reach the Port of Philadelphia located at the southern end of the City; and
WHEREAS, For decades several plans have been developed and millions of dollars spent on concepts to revitalize the Delaware River waterfront in an effort to boost commerce, tourism and living in the City with no noticeable change; and
WHEREAS, During the same period of time where concepts have been developed for the Philadelphia waterfront, other large cities have developed, constructed and completed mixed-use harbor projects such as the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD, and the Port of Oakland in Oakland, CA; and
WHEREAS, The collaboration with the Commonwealth and surrounding counties to develop a mixed-use State Harbor has the potential to dramatically expand the economy of Southeastern Pennsylvania while cementing Philadelphia's standing as the regional hub of commerce and economic growth; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to investigate the feasibility and economic impact of developing a mixed-use State Harbor along the Delaware River to capitalize on the geographic asset of Philadelphia's waterfront to further promote job growth and quality of life in our City and surrounding counties.
End