Recognizing and congratulating Duane H. Bumb on his retirement and 25 years of distinguished service to the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce.

WHEREAS, Duane H. Bumb is retiring as Senior Deputy Commerce Director in June 2021 after a distinguished career in public service; and

WHEREAS, Bumb was born into a farming family in rural Ohio, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Indiana University, and was selected for the prestigious Presidential Management Fellow program, the top public service leadership development program offered by the U.S. government, during which he served in a variety of positions including as a Park Ranger at Mount Rushmore for the National Park Service. He then worked in economic and riverfront development in Wilmington, Delaware, before joining the City of Philadelphia on July 1, 1995; and

WHEREAS, Bumb has been instrumental in the revitalization and economic development of Philadelphia, working on transformational projects including, but not limited to, Dietz & Watson expansion on to the former Frankford Arsenal property, UPS distribution center development on the former Teva site in Northeast Philadelphia, goPuff headquarters’ move to 3rd & Spring Garden, Yards’ expansion to 5th & Spring Garden, Hilco acquisition of the refinery, and retention of Aramark, FMC, and Five Below Headquarters, all as part of major developments that have shaped the landscape of the City; and

WHEREAS, Bumb has stewarded countless capital project investments in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods to benefit all Philadelphians, including the annual Capital Program for Economic Development and the Cultural and Commercial Corridors Bond Program; and

WHEREAS, Bumb has played a key role in the redevelopment of the Avenue of the Arts, including projects at Broad & Pine, the Southstar Lofts, and Lincoln Square, among others; and

WHEREAS, Bumb was instrumental in the creation of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, as well as the land assembly strategy and resource allocation for public waterfront trail and redevelopment sites at Pennovation, Bartram’s Garden, The Navy Yard, the former refinery, and other locations along the lower Schuylkill River; and

WHEREAS, Bumb has served on a number of boards including Penn’s Landing Development Corporation, as a founding board member of the Riverfront North Partnership, Housing Advisory Board, and others, and he has been recognized throughout the City for his numerous contributions to communities, waterfront development, reuse of industrial lands, and business attraction; and

WHEREAS, Bumb has served under four consecutive Mayors and seven Commerce Directors, and he has mentored dozens of colleagues throughout his tenure; and

WHEREAS, Bumb has left an indelible mark on the City, the Commerce Department, and all of his colleagues who have greatly benefitted from his guidance, knowledge, patience, and judgement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and congratulates Duane H. Bumb on his retirement and 25 years of distinguished service to the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Duane H. Bumb as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.

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