WHEREAS, Bob Grossmann, the loving husband of Elizabeth Riley, the proud father of two beautiful daughters Naina and Gianna, and son Jared, will be retiring after 17 years at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; and
WHEREAS, During his time at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Bob stood out for his leadership and a number of achievements, most notably the development of one of the organization’s linchpin efforts, the LandCare program, which has been a national and international model for urban revival; and
WHEREAS, Under Bob’s guidance, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has helped transform neighborhoods throughout the City and fulfill its mission to create healthy, sustainable communities; and
WHEREAS, In 2000 Mr. Grossmann directed the creation and growth of the LandCare program, which is a project of the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone as an innovative approach to remedy the ravages of urban blight and abandonment across the City’s neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Since 2003 Bob expanded the program, such that his signature post-and-rail fences can now be seen on nearly 8,000 vacant parcels around the City; and
WHEREAS, A vital component of the program, Community LandCare, engages community partners in the management of 3,000 lots and provides 100 green jobs for neighborhood residents and returning citizens; and
WHEREAS, Bob continued to innovate the LandCare program for deeper impact, including a pilot program started in spring 2016 that placed 30 returning citizens in jobs with full-service landscaping contracting companies working in the LandCare program; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Bob managed responsibilities for tree-planting activities and the development of the Roots to Re-entry program, which provides training and job opportunities for pre-release inmates. As Senior Director, Bob also oversaw the Public Landscapes team that provides a high level of horticultural design and maintenance of Philadelphia’s beloved civic spaces; and
WHEREAS, On September 8th, 2016 at 5:30 PM the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will be honoring and saying farewell to Bob Grossmann as he begins a new chapter in his life; and
WHEREAS, We in this Council, join in wishing Bob well in any future endeavors and hope his retirement is filled with happiness, good health, and the joys of family and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes, honors, and celebrates the over 17 years of outstanding public service that Bob Grossmann has dedicated to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Bob Grossmann as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End