Foreword

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the City Planning Commission and its staff, I am please to send you the Plan for West Philadelphia. The Plan for West Philadelphia is a guide for future growth and development, an essential information resource for communities and citizens that will be used by decision-makers invovled in neighborhood revitalization and economic development. This is the third publication in a planning process that has been undertaken for West Philadelphia. The first publication was a background paper entitles, West Philadelphia District Plan: Starting the Process (April 1990); this was followed by the Dra ft Plan release in February, 1993.

As you probably know, citizen participation was a major part of the planning process. THe Planning Commission staff held five Town Meetings, presented our work-in-progress at some 40 community meetings, and met with most of the major institutions that are so important to West Philadelphia life. I want to express my sincere thanks to all of the community organizations, elected officials, and the representatives of business, institutions, City departments and other public agencies who assisted and particip ated in theis endeavor.

While this publications marks the end of a planning process, it is also an important starting point for implementation. Our staff will continue to work with West Philadelphia communities, isntitutions, and businesses toward the implementation of the reco mmendations contained in this plan, and we are anxious to engage in more detailed, project-specific planning work that will contribute to the revitalization and improvement of West Philadelphia. The Planning COmmission's commitment to enhancing the quali ty of life in West Philadelphia is not coming to an end now that The Plan for West Philadelphia is complete. I can assure you that the commitment will continue.

Sincerely,

Barbara J. Kaplan
Executive Director