Hosted by Lora Lewis, Philadelphia Focus introduces you to the people and organizations making a difference in our community, from health and safety issues to education, employment, and even entertainment opportunities.  Philadelphia Focus looks for solutions and positive action to make our region a better place to call home.

Today, Lora is joined by:

David Chiles (Executive Director), and Erica Zaveloff (Director of Development and Communications), for Lutheran Settlement House, 1340 Frankford Avenue. Started in 1902, Lutheran Settlement House has served vulnerable children, adults and families living in the City of Philadelphia, regardless of race or creed. Their dedicated staff provide necessary programs, such as bilingual domestic violence counseling, adult education and career development, homeless services, senior services, medical advocacy, caregiver support, and health and nutrition. We look forward to discussing these services, plans for the future, and the wonderful impact they have made for not only the Fishtown/Kensington communities, but families from throughout the City Philadelphia.

Jon Geeting, President, Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA), a voluntary organization whose mission is to “connect Fishtown neighbors, preserve Fishtown’s unique character, and honor our community’s shared vision for its future.”  Jon will share how we work to ensure a vibrant, thriving, and unified Fishtown, and how we bridge our differences to create considerate and necessary development.

Marc Collazzo, Executive Director  for the Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District (BID) was created to plan and fund services to improve and preserve our neighborhood. As of January 2020, operations began under the Fishtown District, which is comprised of Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District and Fishtown Co.

A BID is a formal authorization by City Council to provide a formal collective organization which collects funds based on assessments of the property. The BID has official boundaries, and businesses and commercial properties within that specified area work to decide what is best for improving their community.

The Board of Directors for the BID are made-up of residents, business and property owners, and others. The Board along with the executive team and under the guidance of the committees and stakeholders will determine the best way to use the funds toward public safety, marketing, operations, and beautification.

We believe that the formation of a BID allows us to work together to improve the quality of life of our residents as well as the success and growth of our businesses, including enhancing public safety, improving parking and pedestrian access, cleaning streets and sidewalks, overseeing responsible growth, attracting businesses and creating more jobs, branding and marketing the district, providing more promotional programming and hiring full-time staff to manage all of the above.

With these goals in mind, we came together to explore how a BID can help us ensure the Fishtown area continues to be a great neighborhood to live, work, and visit.