Eastwick Advocacy and Community Development

Background

Location: Eastwick is located in southwest Philadelphia.
1950s: Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority seized over 2,500 acres of Eastwick land using eminent domain.
- Displaced around 10,000 residents from an integrated community of marshlands and farms.
- Korman Company was given an option to purchase 128 acres near the Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

Korman Company Proposal: Planned to build a 722-unit apartment complex with 1,034 parking spaces on 35 acres.
Location of Development: Near 86th Street and Lindbergh Blvd.

Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition (EFNC): Formed by residents who were concerned about the development’s impact on health, safety, and welfare.
Support: The Public Interest Law Center supported EFNC to negotiate with city agencies and officials, and Korman Company to postpone the development.

June 2012:
- Law Center filed an open records request.
- Second zoning bill regarding Eastwick development was held in committee.
- Councilman Kenyatta Johnson held a proposed zoning bill to allow for community input.
July 2012: Meeting with Water Department secured to investigate flooding issues.
October 2012: Hearing on flooding issues was held.
November 2012: Councilman Johnson withdrew zoning bills.
January 2013: Movement towards a flooding solution in Eastwick began.
June 2014: Efforts to retire blight as policy and make Eastwick whole were discussed.
July 2015: City officials made historic commitments to the residents of Eastwick.
December 2015: Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and Korman reached a historic deal for Eastwick.
November 2016: A letter was sent requesting to halt the sale of the Pepper Middle School.
October 2018: Concerns were raised about the Eastwick Public Lands Strategy potentially worsening flooding.

The Public Interest Law Center remains committed to ensuring equitable participation of Eastwick residents in future community development planning.