The Navy Yard Blog

Trees donated by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society

Infrastructure Project to Bring Added Trees to Navy Yard

July 21, 2022/in Construction Updates, News, Sustainability /by The Navy Yard

With more than $40 million in infrastructure projects and approximately $500 million in new development for 2022, the recently released Navy Yard Plan is off to a fast start. In addition to new buildings and a rebuilt Broad Street, these projects will also bring new trees and greenery throughout the campus and thoughtful public amenities to the Navy Yard.

One of the projects we are most excited about is the long-awaited reconstruction of Broad Street, which begins July 25 and will restore four lanes of travel, as well as add a dedicated bike lane and pedestrian amenities. As part of the widening of this corridor, eight trees will need to be removed, but 90 new trees will be planted along Broad Street and throughout the campus to replace them.

The Navy Yard operations team will be working with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) to plant the new trees beginning this fall and throughout the duration of the project. PHS generously donated more than 20 trees and dozens of perennial plants that were featured in the 2022 Philadelphia Flower Show.

Trees donated by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society

The Navy Yard was certified as a Level-1 arboretum in 2018 by Arbnet and the addition of 90 trees to the 2,000 trees already established demonstrates the Navy Yard’s commitment to public greenspace, sustainable landscapes, and resiliency.

As one of only five arboretums in Philadelphia, it is especially important that the Navy Yard preserves and expands greenspaces at the Navy Yard. By building upon and sustaining green spaces, the Navy Yard can assure that future generations have a place to appreciate nature in an urban environment, while at the same time developing the Navy Yard to create equitable growth, jobs, and accessibility for decades to come.

Current treescape at Central Green

Current treescape at Crescent Park

Current treescape at the Marine Parade Grounds

Broad Street Quay Wall Reconstruction Project
As announced on July 1, 2022, the Navy Yard will begin the reconstruction of the section of Broad Street between Crescent Dr and Intrepid Ave, also known as the “quay wall” on July 25. It’s a very complex project that has been in planning and procurement for many years, and once finished, will have four lanes for vehicles, a two-way raised bike lane, and a new, scenic pedestrian plaza overlooking the Reserve Basin.

This construction project will take approximately 12 months to complete. During this time, Broad Street will be closed between Crescent Dr and Intrepid Ave.

The $19 million+ total project cost is in part funded by PennDOT, the Economic Development Authority (EDA), City of Philadelphia, and PIDC.

Learn more about the Broad Street quay wall reconstruction project on the Yard BLOG.

Broad Street “quay wall” now

Future Broad Street between Crescent Dr & Intrepid Ave

View of new Pedestrian Plaza overlooking elevated bike lanes and Broad Street

Broad Street will be closed between Crescent Dr & Intrepid Ave

Broad Street Quay Wall Reconstruction Announcement

July 1, 2022/in Construction Updates, News /by The Navy Yard

BACKGROUND

Starting later this month, the Navy Yard will begin the reconstruction of the section of Broad Street between Crescent Dr and Intrepid Ave, also known as the “quay wall”. It’s a very complex project that has been in planning and procurement for many years, and once finished, will have four lanes for vehicles, a two-way raised bike lane, and a new, scenic pedestrian plaza overlooking the Reserve Basin.

This construction project will take approximately 12 months to complete. During this time, Broad Street will be closed between Crescent Dr and Intrepid Ave.

The $19 million+ total project cost is in part funded by PennDOT, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), City of Philadelphia, and PIDC.

Future Broad Street between Crescent Dr & Intrepid Ave

Broad Street will be closed between Crescent Dr & Intrepid Ave

SCHEDULE

July 22, 2022	Broad Street between Crescent Dr and Intrepid Ave fully CLOSED; major construction activities begin
July 2023	4 lanes of Broad Street re-open with periodic closures anticipated
September 2023	Pedestrian Plaza open, all detours lifted

DETOURS

During the closure, traffic detours will be in place to direct people to use alternative routes including using the League Island Boulevard gate and over the Lift Bridge to the 26^th Street gate.

Modified Navy Yard Transit bus schedules, stops, and detour routes will be issued the week of July 11, 2022.

Pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalk on the east side of Broad Street Quarters buildings (between the Quarters buildings and One Crescent Drive parking lot).

Cyclists will not be permitted to use Broad Street during the construction project and should use 13^th Street.

View of new Pedestrian Plaza overlooking elevated bike lanes and Broad Street

CONTINUED UPDATES

We’ll continue to update everyone on our website at www.navyyard.org, via emails to Navy Yard businesses, and on our social media channels.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during this important project. We are all looking forward to the finished product and celebrating this new section of Broad Street in 2023!

2022 Navy Yard Plan - Waterfront Canal Street - Eye Level

2022 Navy Yard Plan Unveiled, Focused on Job Creation, Equitable Growth, and Increased Accessibility

June 28, 2022/in News /by The Navy Yard

Press Kit with Renderings Available at https://bit.ly/navyyardplanpress
CREDIT: Renderings by James Corner Field Operations, courtesy of PIDC and Ensemble/Mosaic

Media contacts:
Jennifer Tran, PIDC, 215-218-2854
Robbie Tarpley Raffish, a.s.a.p.r., 410-430-9705

PIDC and Ensemble/Mosaic today unveiled the 2022 Navy Yard Plan, a transformative roadmap for equitable growth that throughout the next 20 years will deliver 12,000 new jobs, 8.9 million square feet of new life science, commercial, residential, retail, and mixed-use development and $6B of new investment—of which, $4.8B will be generated by Ensemble/Mosaic’s development initiatives. Mayor Jim Kenney, government officials, and many of the Navy Yard’s 150 businesses were in attendance.

The dynamic new plan leverages sustained growth in advanced life sciences and manufacturing, increased accessibility, and inclusive mixed-use development to drive equitable economic growth, with robust opportunities for diverse businesses and an expansive array of quality-wage jobs and workforce development training programs. The event also celebrated 64 graduates of the Navy Yard Skills Initiative, a workforce training program launched by PIDC and the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative in 2020.

2022 Navy Yard Plan - Historic Core Aerial-800x505

“The Navy Yard has been an anchor and economic driver for Philadelphia for more than two centuries, serving in both times of war and peace. Today, the progress it has made and will continue to make as outlined in this Plan will help reinforce its role as a leading business and life sciences campus and an unrivaled asset to the city,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. “I am thrilled to celebrate all of the Navy Yard’s milestones today, the critical work PIDC does to drive its growth, and I look forward to its bright future for continued investment, entrepreneurship, and employment in Philadelphia.”

This is the third plan undertaken since PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation, took ownership of the former military base on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, following the original plan in 2004 and an update in 2013. Since 2000, PIDC has led the planning, development, and operation of the Navy Yard to fulfill its mission—to spur investment, support business growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia

The canal street in the Waterfront District is a distinct green streetscape with integrated stormwater infrastructure

“Throughout its history, the Navy Yard has been at the leading edge of innovation and this transformative plan continues to break new ground,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s Senior Vice President, Navy Yard. “We are incredibly excited to set a new standard for equitable development that balances inclusive business growth with sustainability, connectivity, beautiful public spaces, and quality jobs for all Philadelphians.”

In April 2021, PIDC and Ensemble/Mosaic selected James Corner Field Operations (Field Operations) through a competitive RFP process to lead in the planning. Throughout the last year, the Field Operations team, PIDC, and Ensemble/Mosaic worked with more than 300 stakeholders—including Navy Yard businesses, public-sector stakeholders, adjacent communities, and residents throughout Philadelphia—to create an inclusive and equitable framework for the next phase of development. Through focus groups, postcard programs, events, and one-on-one interviews, the team gained insight into opportunities, challenges, and future uses for the campus, providing critical input on vision, values, and the ultimate Plan.

The Greenway District provides an opportunity for large-footprint commercial development attractive to life science and advanced manufacturing users.

“The 2022 Plan for the Philadelphia Navy Yard presents a vision for the best of what a city can be: healthy, resilient, connected, vibrant, and equitable,” said James Corner, Founder and CEO of Field Operations. “Leveraging the Navy Yard’s open spaces and extraordinary waterfront, the Plan offers a new identity forged around welcoming all; one that balances innovation with history and ecology with urban life.”

Field Operations, guiding a vision grounded in public realm and sense of place, was complemented by a large team of experts in inclusive economic development, architecture, and sustainability. (See complete list of consulting firms, below.) The design and planning process has been driven by more than a dozen minority- and women-owned companies, with 49% of total project costs going to these contracted entities.

The Broad Street entrance is redesigned to promote a sense of welcome and arrival for vehicles and pedestrians.

As previously announced, Ensemble/Mosaic has pledged in excess of $1B to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring and initiatives while planning and building out the company’s 109-acre mixed-use development at the Navy Yard. To date, in the pre-development phase, $10M has been invested in services rendered by minority- and woman-owned businesses.

“Our focus the entire way through the plan development has been to remember that the Navy Yard is public land and its development should be about people,” said Kam Babaoff, Chairman and Co-Founder of Ensemble Real Estate Investments. “Every one of the 109 acres we develop – whether for the first residential property in more than 70 years, or for thriving retail, life science, and corporate use – will increase accessibility and provide an environment that supports equity in all facets.”

The Navy Yard’s expanded public waterfront, new commercial spaces, and integrated mixed-income residential all converge in the new Waterfront District.

Five Principles – One Plan

Each facet of the plan has been guided by a set of principles, crafted to create a new standard of equitable development. These principles directly shape a plan for a Navy Yard that is Inclusive and Welcoming, Connected and Multimodal, Vibrant and Active, Innovative and Resilient, and a place for Equitable Business Growth and Job Creation.

Highlights of the plan include:

Significantly expanding the Navy Yard’s cutting-edge cluster of cell and gene therapy firms dedicated to curing cancer and chronic diseases by building out an additional 4.3 million square feet of GMP, lab, and office space catering to companies at all stages from start up through commercialization.
Bringing residential and retail to the Navy Yard with Ensemble/Mosaic’s 109-acre mixed-use development. For the first time, the public will be able to live and shop at the Navy Yard with the planned 3,900 apartment units and 235,000 square feet of retail and makerspace. 15% of apartments will be offered at affordable rates and 25% of retail will be subsidized for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Intertwining the public realm with new development; extending, expanding, and preserving open space, forging a cohesive built environment that is deeply rooted in the natural space that abounds at the Navy Yard. The waterfront is celebrated with new activities, spaces, and connections accessing this important resource.
Driving equity by increasing accessibility for all in and around the Navy Yard will be achieved through additional public transit options including bus rapid transit (BRT), dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian-only streets and plazas, and a new gateway at Broad Street.
Maximizing resiliency through raising vulnerable portions of the site, incorporating innovative stormwater infrastructure including canals and swales along the streets on the east side of the campus to convey stormwater, and using dry ponds, green roofs, and resilient landscaping and trees.
Demonstrating sustainability, which has always been a hallmark of the Navy Yard, is being furthered through the pursuit of Philadelphia’s first LEED Gold Neighborhood Development of scale, a program which creates more sustainable, well-connected neighborhoods, looking beyond the scale of buildings to consider entire communities.
Growing the Navy Yard’s dynamic shipbuilding, ship repair, and heavy industrial companies by investing in critical infrastructure which facilitates further expansion and quality-wage, diverse job creation.

The Delaware River waterfront in the Historic Core offers expanded green space for passive recreation.

Workforce Development Program Milestone and Foundation Contribution

In addition to unveiling the 2022 Navy Yard Plan, PIDC also celebrated the graduation of 64 participants from its Navy Yard Skills Initiative workforce development program, with some of the graduates in attendance. The program, which has completed five cohorts to date in partnership with University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, connects Philadelphia residents with full-time, permanent, quality-wage careers while providing Navy Yard businesses with the highly-skilled talent they need across a wide range of industries.

The fourth cohort of 16 trainees spent three weeks in an apprentice training program in partnership with Philly Shipyard, Inc., resulting in all 16 graduates being offered full-time, union jobs. Earlier this month, a new group of participants began training in partnership with Tastykake as production associates, resulting in 11 being offered jobs. Future programs will include life science and healthcare roles with other Navy Yard companies.

In May, Ensemble/Mosaic announced the formation of the Ensemble/Mosaic TNY Empowerment Foundation with a $1M commitment of seed money and additional funds coming from each individual project Ensemble/Mosaic develops in the Navy Yard. During the 2022 Navy Yard Plan event, the Foundation made its first contribution, $100,000 to the Navy Yard Skills Initiative, which will allow the program to continue to implement high-quality programming that will directly connect Philadelphians to jobs at the Navy Yard.

“Our 2022 Navy Yard Plan and the Ensemble/Mosaic TNY Empowerment Foundation are both about creating opportunity, which is exactly what the Navy Yard Skills Initiative does,” said Leslie Smallwood-Lewis, Founder and Owner of Mosaic Development Partners. “We are thrilled that our Foundation’s first donation will be to a program that provides access and opportunity that can help Philadelphians thrive. It is really why all of us – planners, developers, professionals, and employers – are here, in this special place.”

Press Kit with Renderings Available at https://bit.ly/navyyardplanpress

List of Planning Consultants:

James Corner Field Operations – Philadelphia, PA – planning lead, landscape architecture, placemaking
DIGSAU – Philadelphia, PA – architecture
Urbane Development – New York, NY – retail consulting, community planning, economic and workforce development
Mdesigns – Philadelphia, PA – equitable development, housing affordability
Toole Design – Silver Spring, MD – transportation planning
Pennoni – Philadelphia, PA – infrastructure planning
David Mason + Associates – Philadelphia, PA – infrastructure (utility) planning
Rodriguez Consulting – Philadelphia, PA – infrastructure (civil) planning
Sherwood Design Engineers – New York, NY – integrated resilient systems planning
HERA – Philadelphia, PA – laboratory planning
THA Consulting – Blue Bell, PA – parking planning
Re:Vision – Philadelphia, PA – LEED neighborhood planning
Dharam Consulting – New York, NY – cost estimating
Amber Art and Design – Philadelphia, PA – arts-based community engagement

Building 611 is creatively preserved by cleaving the structure, facilitating the continuation of 12th Street to the waterfront.

First permanent public art project at the Navy Yard: Alpha Sacred Beings

June 23, 2022/in Fun /by The Navy Yard

On Thursday, June 9, 2022, PIDC and Group X, a group of Philadelphia-based artists, curators, and organizers whose members are anonymous, unveiled their latest and first permanent public art project at the Navy Yard: Alpha Sacred Beings (The Origin of Creation) by lead artist, Marianela Fuentes, whose previous works in her Sacred Beings series have roots with the Huichol or Wixárika indigenous people of Mexico. This piece is a monument symbolizing a bridge between two Indigenous Nations.

Alpha Sacred Beings

This unveiling event had a sacredness about it. We heard from all the collaborators of the project. The lead artist, Marianela Fuentes, who told us about her background and what this project meant to her. Then from Reverend Dr. John Norwood, Jr., a Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Councilman and Judge, who greeted us in the tribal language. He was an integral part of this collaboration ensuring the representation of the Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation was accurate. Leonard Harmon and Roberta Flores, artists from the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, ensured the artist understood and prioritized which parts of the Lenni-Lenaper history should be represented on Alpha Sacred Beings. And after the ribbon cutting, we were graced by a performance by the Red Blanket Singers, a Southern Style Native American Drum and Dance Group representing the Nanticoke, Lenape, Haliwa-Saponi, and Mohawk Tribes. The members of this group ranged in age, from young children to elder adults. Listening to the beat of the drum and sounds of the voices singing left the audience in awe. And finally, to bring everyone together, all attendees all participated in a Round Dance where we held hands as one.

Round Dance in action

This is a must-see piece of art. The designs were created on a life-sized Parasaurolophus dinosaur skeleton, which once walked the land in both Delaware Valley and Mexico. The Parasaurolophus dinosaur, name meaning “near crested lizard”, is significant because it is the biological cousin of the Velofrons, Marianela’s first full-size dinosaur sculpture. It is the most scientifically accurate dinosaur the artist has ever created and is the first to be fully modeled after an almost entirely discovered dinosaur skeleton.

The bead design was created in partnership with Leonard Harmon and Roberta Flores. These images tell stories from our region’s original people; they are stewards of all the land throughout the Delaware Valley and Philadelphia, or “Coaquannock”, and still live here today.

Closer look at the beadwork

The turtle on the crown symbolizes all the land throughout North America. Around the dinosaur’s hips is a wampum belt that was given to recognize the friendship treaty under the Shackamaxon Elm between William Penn (“Mikwon”), and Tamanend (“the Affable One”). Along the spine, fire, water, wind, mountain, moon, sun, and stars appear in a set of seven to represent Seven Generations. The four cardinal directions are represented on each limb. Flora and fauna native to our region also appear throughout the beadwork. As with all things, from the tip of the tail to the end of the nose, the monument begins and ends in the stars.

The artist and two assistants hand beaded the skeleton over 10 weeks in Mexico City and it was then brought to Philadelphia to be assembled on-site, using an estimated million beads to complete.

Alpha Sacred Beings can be found in League Island Park, located at 11th & Constitution Ave. The Navy Yard is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Be sure to come down to see this beautiful and inspiring installation and be sure to tag us in your photos! More info about Alpha Sacred Beings at https://navyyard.org/sacredbeings.

Construction Update: 2500 League Island Boulevard

June 21, 2022/in News /by The Navy Yard

In fall 2021, Gattuso Development Partners broke ground on its newest construction project at the Navy Yard. 2500 League Island Boulevard is a premier Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) 130,000 square foot life science facility located at the corner of 26th & League Island Blvd West (formerly Langley Ave). The building is a ground up development (built completely from scratch), with 30’ clearance height throughout, and has the ability to add in other features such as a mezzanine/walkable ceiling level.

If you go by the site today, the outside of the building looks almost complete. The underground utility work has been installed, all the foundations (piles and concrete) are installed, the structural steel has been erected, the precast concrete knockout panels (concrete wall panels used in building construction and serves as structural-architecture, often poured off-site) have been delivered and fully installed, and the corrugated metal sheeting that’s used as a structural roof deck or composite floor deck has been installed. The current phase of construction includes work on the site curbs and parking lot paving and the roofing and glazing will be installed soon thereafter. The building core and shell, or the blank canvas of the building without an occupants’ interior customized spaces, are scheduled to be complete and ready for an on-time delivery in December 2022.

November 2021

January 2022

February 2022

March 2022

April 2022

May 2022

June 2022

SITIO Architecture + Urbanism, a nationally and locally certified minority business enterprise (MBE) firm designed 2500 League Island Boulevard. Penntex Construction is the general contractor for the program. Penntex Construction have targeted 20-25% MBE and 15-20% woman business enterprise (WBE) contracting for the project construction. This building is designed to achieve LEED v4 Silver Certification, with an enhanced bike infrastructure, on-site stormwater management, and a green roof area.

2500 League Island Boulevard offers an ideal R&D, headquarters, production, or flex opportunity in Philadelphia’s leading life sciences community, joining other Navy Yard businesses Adaptimmune, Coriell Life Sciences, Iovance, WuXi Advanced Therapies, Vinta Bio, and more. Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc., a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, is the leasing agent for 2500 League Island Boulevard currently seeking tenants for this space. As the Navy Yard grows, the hope is that 2500 League Island Boulevard will inspire the development of its neighboring industrial buildings along League Island Blvd West.

For development updates and lease information please visit their website: https://www.2500leagueislandboulevard.com/.

URBN_NY_1017_Shot_03_0113_PRINT_WORKING_

June 2022 Events and more!

June 1, 2022/in Events, News /by The Navy Yard

June welcomes even more opportunities to explore and discover the Navy Yard! The world’s largest hard seltzer festival is coming to the Navy Yard. On June 4, Seltzerland will sure turn the Navy Yard into a hard seltzer paradise. Then on June 5, Girls on the Run will be running through the Navy Yard streets in celebration of another season completed. On June 9, the Navy Yard and Group X will unveil its fifth public art exhibit and invites everyone to join. Philly Pride Boot Camp & Brunch will be here June 11 for a day of fitness and food! These are some great ways to #discovertheyard!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday, June 4, 2022; 11:00AM

Instagram Post - Philly

Seltzerland, a hard seltzer festival comes to the Navy Yard for the first time. Come and enjoy this one-of-a-kind immersive experience as you spend the day tasting 100+ unique hard seltzers. Indulge in mouthwatering munchies, tons of seltzer swag, and of course an epic Instagram worthy photo op!

Seltzerland is also offering 15% off to Navy Yard followers:

www.eventbrite.com/e/269866095757/?discount=NAVYYARD15

Girls on the Run Spring 5k

Sunday, June 5, 2022; 9:00AM

Girls on the Run Philadelphia will host a 5K fun run at The Navy Yard’s historic Marine Parade Grounds. The event celebrates the accomplishments of 450 third through eighth grade girls who have participated in the 10-week GOTR program at schools and community centers throughout Philadelphia this spring. You can support these girls as a running buddy or volunteer. The event requires the support of over 100 volunteers, and they are in need of more to help make this event a success. To volunteer for a 3–4-hour shift on the morning of June 5th, click here. Thank you for helping our girls cross the finish line this season!

Navy Yard and Group X – Alpha Sacred Beings (The Origin of Creation)

Thursday, June 9, 2022; 5:00 -6:30 PM

Navy_Yard_Group_X_secret_wrap Red Blanket Singers

Location to be announced soon!

For the first time ever, PIDC and Group X will invite the public to unveil its latest secret public art sculpture, Alpha Sacred Beings (The Origin of Creation), on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM.

Alpha Sacred Beings (The Origin of Creation) is a life-sized monument symbolizing a bridge between two Indigenous Nations. This artwork and its concept was created by lead artist Marianela Fuentes, whose previous works in her Sacred Beings series have roots with the Huichol or Wixárika indigenous people of Mexico. The beaded design was created in partnership with artists from the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation. These images tell stories from our region’s original people; they are stewards of all the land throughout the Delaware Valley and Philadelphia, or “Coaquannock”, and still live here today.

The unveiling on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM will include remarks from lead artist, Marianela Fuentes; PIDC’s Director of Navy Yard Marketing & Communications, Jennifer Tran; and Rev. Dr. John Norwood Jr., who is a Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Councilman and Judge. The event will culminate with the ribbon cutting and a performance by Red Blanket Singers, a Southern Style Native American Drum and Dance Group representing the Nanticoke, Lenape, Haliwa-Saponi, and Mohawk Tribes.

LINK: https://navyyard.org/information-and-directions/public-art

Great Chefs Event

Saturday, June 11, 2022; 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Great Chefs

Hosted by award-winning chef Marc Vetri, this event brings together esteemed chefs from across the country to create gourmet tasting plates. Held at the Urban Outfitters Headquarters in the Navy Yard, this event is a family-friendly and promises to be a great time. Free for kids 12 and under.

Link: https://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/great-chefs-event-philadelphia

COME ALIVE 215 Pride Event

Saturday, June 11, 2022; 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

ComeAlive215

ALL THE DEETS.

the workout. a 45-minute workout with kim harari and shannon brennan of come alive 215

https://www.comealive215.com/

the drag show. by iris spectre

the picnic brunch. michael solomonov and more

RECURRING EVENTS

may-2022-IGpost

Navy Yard x Fit Academy Boot Camp Class – Free

Tuesdays & Thursdays; 5pm-6pm

It’s time to get off the couch and get moving. Our friends at Fit Academy have outdoor fitness classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 5p-6p in Central Green. Join us for high energy sports driven exercise, full body plyometrics, resistance training, cardio, core, and HIIT. Work hard and reap the rewards! Register here:

Navy Yard x Tula Yoga – Free

Wednesdays; 5:15p-6:15p

Unwind and reset your body & mind with free yoga classes, suitable for yogis of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Register here: BYOM (Bring your own mat) and show up!

Navy Yard x Black Girls with Green Thumbs

Monthly Education Series

Many people are fascinated by sustainable living practices yet feel it may be too large a fit. This series Black Girls with Green Thumbs is going to teach you how to live HOMESTEAD-ish.

Shifts in some everyday practices can lower your environmental impact while not requiring a full abandonment of modern, city living. From juicing to making your own herbal tinctures, learn individual wellness skills that will help you thrive in an urban environment.

June 13, 5:30p-6:30p

Cocktail Hour

Make season drink that can be stored long term. Using herbs and fruits we will capture the flavors of summertime by making our own cocktail mixers! These recipes are a great way to preserve your garden or orchard bounty.

Navy Yard x Half Mad Honey + Riverfront Hive Tours

Half Mad Honey + Riverfront Hive Tours are cultivating wellness and connection through honeybees. Half Mad Honey is not just an urban beekeeping company, but an organization that is rooted in education, growth, peer support, and recovery. Tour details through PIDC will be available soon.

LINK: https://www.halfmadhoney.com/

Navy Yard Running Club

NAVY YARD RUNNING

We run all year long! Join your fellow Navy Yard employees for a free, weekly all levels group that runs around the Navy Yard. The Navy Yard Running Club meets at 12^th and Constitution every Tuesday at 5:45pm and runs between 2-5 miles, or interval runs. Then we finish up at Gatehouse for HH. Follow us on Instagram @NYRC_phila

#LUNCHTRUCKLINEUP now includes Tuesdays!

2022-Lunch-Truck-Lineup_v2

We started this season with the Lunch Truck program only on Thursdays, but it has been such a great success. To avoid the long lines, we’ve added another day and another truck. Come out on Tuesdays for two truck options and Thursdays for three truck options. If you’d like to know which trucks are coming up, please email Jackie Hall, jhall@pidcphila.com to be added to the mailing list.

Navy Yard Skill Initiative (NYSI) Graduate Highlight: Maria Lee

May 16, 2022/in News, Workforce Development /by The Navy Yard

Meet Maria Lee, one of Tastykake’s newest Production Associates and one of the 14 individuals who graduated from the collaborative training program managed by PIDC’s Navy Yard Workforce Development Initiatives (NYSI) and University City’s District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI). And after the completion of the program, Maria and the other graduates were offered full-time union- represented employment.

Maria comes from an education background however, she was looking for a change and heard about the three-week Production Associate Program to get connected to a new career at Tastykake. The program, she explains, helped develop skills such as conflict resolution, coaching and communication, and resume prep, for which she did not know how they would translate to her role as a Production Associate, but they did. She explains about these skills helped navigate the next steps in her career.

Harold Christmas, the Tastykake trainer, “was so patient and thorough,” she explains. “You never know but conflict resolution is needed, especially talking to other employees or leadership.” With that she is excited to pay it forward with helping train others as they come through the program.

Maria works the 2^nd shift along with several other graduates from the program in the cupcake line as an inspector for product packaging before distribution. Today, May 16^th marks 90 days of going to a job where it is as sweet as it smells feels great every day!

The Production Associate Program was originally designed to be in-person at the Navy Yard, but because of the COVID-19 response levels in February, the training was virtual with three in-person learning opportunities. It also was initially designed to connect graduates to a part-time Production Associate role starting at $14.60/hr., but after Tastykake HR leaders met and interviewed the cohort they offered all of them full-time union-represented roles starting at $17.35/hr.! This is the first time a Production Associate has been able to connect directly to full-time employment in nine years! This program was the third collaborative professional development training program that is being managed by WPSI and PIDC, but the first with Tastykake. This program went so well that our Navy Yard Skills Initiative program is currently recruiting for another cohort.

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If you want to have this career changing experience and you are interested in the Navy Yard Skills Initiative, please click the link for more information.

Mayor Jim Kenney; Steinar Nerbovik of Philly Shipyard, Inc., Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon at Philly Shipyard. Photo credit: Albert Lee for the City of Philadelphia

House Majority Leader Hoyer and Congresswoman Scanlon Tour the Navy Yard

April 25, 2022/in Events, Press Releases, Workforce Development /by The Navy Yard

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today welcomed Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Majority Leader for the U.S. House of Representatives, to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Alongside officials from the City of Philadelphia and PIDC, Hoyer and Scanlon toured the Navy Yard, met with representatives from two key employers — Philly Shipyard, Inc. and Iovance Biotherapeutics, and discussed ongoing federal investments at the Navy Yard.

Mayor Jim Kenney; Steinar Nerbovik of Philly Shipyard, Inc., Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon at Philly Shipyard. Photo credit: Albert Lee for the City of Philadelphia

“The Philadelphia Navy Yard is emerging as a center of economic activity for our region,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I was honored to host Majority Leader Hoyer today to show him how this area is leading Philadelphia’s transition from its industrial roots to the economy of the future. Once a federal shipyard run by the Navy, the area sat dormant after closing in the 1990s, but now boasts employers spanning industries from shipbuilding and manufacturing to life sciences and more. As the U.S. Representative for the Navy Yard, I’m proud to champion federal investments to support the work of PIDC and its partners to transform this space and bring more jobs to our region.”

Visit to Iovance Biotherapeutics. Photo credit: Albert Lee for the City of Philadelphia

“I was proud to join Rep. Scanlon at Philadelphia’s Navy Yard today to see the extraordinary work being done to create a regional hub for innovation and economic growth,” said Majority Leader Hoyer. “Securing the return of Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations process was a big win for members and for every congressional district, where important local projects are again able to receive the support they deserve in a way that is fully transparent and accountable. The funding Rep. Scanlon brought home to the Navy Yard is a wonderful example of that, and it is an example of House Democrats’ efforts to help more businesses and workers Make It In America as well. I want to thank her for her leadership and her hard work to help Pennsylvanians and all Americans access economic opportunities and get ahead.”

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon; Steinar Nerbovik of Philly Shipyard, Inc., Anne Bovaird Nevins of PIDC; at Philly Shipyard’s Training Center. Photo credit: Albert Lee for the City of Philadelphia

In March, Scanlon secured $525,000 for PIDC’s Navy Yard Skills Initiative in the Fiscal Year 2022 federal government funding package. It is one of 10 Community Project Funding awards Scanlon delivered for her district. By creating unique, customized training programs, Navy Yard Skills Initiative builds on the model developed by the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative to connect unemployed and underemployed Philadelphia residents to permanent employment with Navy Yard employers. Thanks to the Community Project Funding secured by Scanlon, the Navy Yard Skills Initiative will be able to run for another full year. Since the program’s initial recruitment in February 2021, Navy Yard Skills Initiative has graduated four cohorts of trainees — totaling 53 people — with 98% of graduates receiving full-time job offers with employers including Philly Shipyard, Inc. and Tasty Baking Company after completing their training.

Looking inside Dry Dock 4 at Philly Shipyard, Inc. Photo credit: Albert Lee for the City of Philadelphia

Scanlon has also led the charge in Congress to help Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) secure federal shipbuilding contracts after the Shipyard fell dormant in 2018 and suffered massive layoffs. In April 2020, the shipyard was awarded an initial contract valued at $630 million to build the first two ships in a five-ship series of U.S. DOT Maritime Administration (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). Since then, Scanlon has continued to advocate for additional contracts to be awarded to PSI, which has now been contracted to complete all five ships in the NSMV fleet. The total value for these five training vessels is approximately $1.5 billion. When Scanlon was first elected in 2018, Philly Shipyard only had around 80 employees. The contract for the NSMV program has allowed PSI to reconstitute its workforce, which currently stands around 1,200 and is expected to reach full capacity in mid-2022.

Photos are available here for media use.

Contact: Lauren Cox, 202-880-2680, Lauren.Cox@mail.house.gov

Congresswoman Scanlon Delivers $525,000 for Innovative Workforce Program at the Navy Yard

April 20, 2022/in Press Releases /by The Navy Yard

On Friday, April 15, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) joined officials from PIDC, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, and Philly Shipyard, Inc. to celebrate the latest graduates of the Navy Yard Skills Initiative and announce over half a million dollars in new federal funding to support the workforce program. Scanlon secured $525,000 for PIDC’s Navy Yard Skills Initiative in the Fiscal Year 2022 federal government funding package passed by Congress in March. It is one of 10 Community Project Funding awards in Scanlon’s district.

Thanks to the Community Project Funding secured by Congresswoman Scanlon, the Navy Yard Skills Initiative will be able to run for another full year. Since the program’s initial recruitment in February 2021, the program has graduated four cohorts of trainees — totaling 53 people — with 98% of graduates receiving full-time job offers after completing their training.

“The Navy Yard is home to the most exciting emerging center of economic activity in Philadelphia, with employers spanning industries from shipbuilding, to baking, to life sciences — and everything in between,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Like many businesses across the country, these employers are in need of skilled workers, and the Navy Yard Skills Initiative is helping to make those connections. The ‘earn while you learn’ model used by this program invests in unemployed and underemployed Philadelphians so that they can embark on long-term career paths rather than signing up for quick, minimum-wage work. I am thrilled to have secured funding to support another year of this incredible program, and to know that the Navy Yard Skills Initiative will continue to connect residents and employers with good jobs in PA-05 for years to come.”

“We are extremely grateful for Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s support in our Navy Yard Skills Initiative place-based workforce development program,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s Senior Vice President, Navy Yard. “This investment will go a long way, allowing Philadelphia residents to secure life-changing careers while providing Navy Yard businesses with the highly-skilled talent they need. We look forward to applying this investment to many more training programs over the next year.”

All 16 trainees who graduated on Friday have been offered full-time, union apprentice positions with Philly Shipyard, Inc. These positions start at $17.13 per hour, and include incremental pay increases over the three-year apprenticeship and 22 college credits in technical studies at Delaware County Community College.

“We have now completed two successful workforce training initiatives through the joint partnership with PIDC and WPSI,” said Mike Giantomaso, Vice President of Human Resources at Philly Shipyard. “These programs have been a great boost to our overall hiring efforts as we have had a lot of room to expand with the major contract award in April 2020 to build the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) for U.S. DOT Maritime Administration (MARAD). I’m definitely looking forward to future workforce partnerships and want to thank everyone involved including our own district’s U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon.”

Navy Yard Skills Initiative launched in 2020 in partnership with University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, connecting its first cohort of trainees to full-time, quality-wage careers with Four Seasons Total Landscaping through the Grounds Maintenance Laborer Program in March 2021. The second and fourth cohorts, which graduated in August 2021 and April 2022 respectively, were both paired with Philly Shipyard, Inc. for the Shipyard Laborer Program and Shipyard Apprentice Program. The third program partnered with Tasty Baking Company, maker of iconic Tastykakes, for the Production Associate Program in January 2022.

By creating unique, customized three-week training programs, Navy Yard Skills Initiative builds on the model developed by the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative to connect unemployed and underemployed Philadelphia residents to permanent employment with Navy Yard employers. West Philadelphia Skills Initiative’s existing program is a nationally-recognized model, where 95% of participants are connected to employment upon successful completion of the program.

“We are very excited by the ongoing success of the partnership with PIDC and the Navy Yard,” said Cait Garozzo, Managing Director of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative. “Working with the Navy Yard has allowed us to connect with and serve employers and jobseekers outside our typical coverage area in West Philadelphia, and we’re incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Scanlon’s support of the program to build on the first year of impact.”

Navy Yard Skills Initiative is open to current Philadelphia residents with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent credential. Participants receive a $150 weekly stipend while enrolled in the program and a guaranteed interview with the partner employer upon graduation. Applications for the next cohort will open on May 3 and again partner with Tasty Baking Company for the Production Associate Program launching in June.

The Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill provides $1.5 trillion in discretionary resources, including nearly $8.5 million in Community Project Funding secured by Scanlon for organizations in PA-05. Additional information on the Community Project Funding awards in Scanlon’s district is available here.

The Community Project Funding application process for Fiscal Year 2023 is now open. Requests from organizations in Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District are due to Scanlon’s office by April 22. Learn more.

Photos from the Navy Yard Skills Initiative graduation ceremony held on Friday, April 15 are available for media use here. Please credit Ben Bowens Photography.

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The Navy Yard Welcomes: Maho Construction

April 4, 2022/in News /by The Navy Yard

We are pleased to welcome Maho Construction LLC to the Navy Yard community. Maho Construction was established in 2019 as a commercial carpentry outfit specializing in all aspects of carpentry. With over 40 years of combined construction experience Maho Construction has established quality relationships with several property developers, Higher education, Industrial & Healthcare facilities management firms within the Philadelphia and South Jersey area.

The company has strong relationships with contractors that preform in the Navy Yard and the City of Philadelphia. In making their company more accessible for clients Brian Hercker, President & Partner Mark Pantalone, Vice President, and their employees have joined the Navy Yard community in Building 101, Suite LL33. To learn more about their services, please contact them here.