Honoring and congratulating PIDC, Philadelphia's public-private economic development corporation, on driving 25 years of job growth at the Navy Yard, and recognizing March 31-April 6 as Navy Yard Week in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was established as the nation’s first dedicated shipbuilding facility in 1868 by the U.S. Navy on League Island, at the southern tip of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard drove innovation for 128 years, producing the most technologically advanced ships and defense technology, as well as the nation’s first naval aircraft production facility; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard employed tens of thousands of skilled Philadelphians throughout its 128 years of operation, delivering ships and technology that supported U.S. troops around the world through numerous global conflicts, with peak production in World War II when 40,000 Navy Yard workers built 53 ships with record speed and repaired over 1,200 ships to support our nation’s defenses when we needed it most; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was closed in 1996 under the federal Base Realignment and Closure Act, resulting in the loss of 10,000 jobs and a vacant site that is roughly the size of Center City; and

WHEREAS, PIDC acquired the 1,200-acre site in 2000, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, with the goal of restoring family-sustaining jobs and economic activity; and

WHEREAS, PIDC, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, developed and launched a comprehensive plan to transform the Navy Yard into a dynamic economic driver and center for industrial and commercial innovation and production; and

WHEREAS, Through these collaborative efforts over the past 25 years, the Navy Yard has successfully attracted over $2B of investment and delivered over 8 million square feet of new development, 5 parks, and public amenities for the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Navy Yard continues to be a center of national innovation, with over 150 companies, from startups to Fortune 500, driving advances in next-generation shipbuilding, state-of-the-art industrial manufacturing, lifesaving cell and gene therapies, advanced pigments and coatings and cutting-edge fashion; and

WHEREAS, The Navy Yard has surpassed the number of jobs lost when the base closed in 1996, with over 15,000 workers employed in accessible, family-sustaining jobs that encompass all education and skill levels from GED to PhD, generating over $1.4 billion in annual earnings and over $71.9 million in City tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, Talented Philadelphians can connect with workforce training and quality job opportunities with Navy Yard companies through the Skills Initiative at the Navy Yard, which has served 227 participants since 2020 and placed 93% of its 165 program graduates in manufacturing, biotechnology, shipbuilding, skilled labor, and administrative positions with Navy Yard companies, and

WHEREAS, The Navy Yard’s 20 acres of publicly-accessible parks and waterfront trail offer vibrant, accessible spaces where enriching events and exciting and informative programming take place, creating connections with employees and visitors; and

WHEREAS, PIDC is now advancing the Navy Yard Plan, a $6 billion expansion that will create Philadelphia’s newest mixed-use neighborhood, doubling employment to over 30,000 jobs, and delivering exciting new public spaces, housing, retail, and amenities for Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia and PIDC are celebrating the Navy Yard’s 25 years of successful transition from a shuttered naval installation to a vibrant, economic hub and leading center for cutting-edge innovation and quality job opportunities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and congratulates PIDC on the 25th anniversary of the Navy Yard’s transition, and recognizes March 31-April 6 as Navy Yard Week in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Jodie Harris, President, PIDC, in recognition of this occasion, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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