iradiophilly | News - Parkway Encampment and City Reach Agreement; New Philly Gathering Sizes; Fans at Eagles Game Sunday

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Parkway Encampment and City Reach Agreement; New Philly Gathering Sizes; Fans at Eagles Game Sunday

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 10/13/20 9:39 pm | updated: 10/13/20 9:39 pm

The City of Philadelphia announced on Tuesday, 10/13, that they have reached an agreement with representatives from the homeless protest encampment on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Camp JTD). The residents of the camp will voluntarily vacate the area by the end of this week. The city and Philadelphia Housing Authority will gradually transfer 50 vacant properties into a community land trust. The city will also develop two tiny house villages.

STATEMENT FROM the MAYOR'S OFFICE
The Philadelphia Housing Authority, city officials and encampment leaders have reached an agreement resolution involving the encampment known as "James Talib Dean Camp," located along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Residents of the camp will voluntarily vacate the encampment site by the end of this week. Under terms of the agreement, City officials and PHA will transfer a total of 50 properties to a land trust established by the encampment residents.

The transfer of the properties will be accomplished in four phases detailed in the agreement:

- Within five days of the resolution of the camp and establishment of the Land Trust, the city will enter into an agreement to provide site control and access, on a temporary basis, to up to 10 properties to the Land Trust.

- Within six months of the resolution of the camp, the city will enter into agreements to transfer up to an additional 40 city-owned properties identified by the Land Trust.

- Of those 40, 25 will be transferred to the City within 45 days by PHA, using properties from closed Rental Assistance Demonstrations (RAD) transactions.

- The remaining 15 properties will be city-owned properties identified by the Land Trust and which the city agrees are suitable for transfer to the Land Trust.

PHILADELPHIA MAYOR JIM KENNEY SAID:
"As with last week's resolution of the Ridge Avenue camp, this agreement is the result of a lot of hard work by all of those involved, and I thank everyone for their efforts. This took a long time, but an amicable resolution was always my goal, and I'm pleased that this has been achieved. I also want to thank the camp leaders and residents for elevating Philadelphia's affordable housing crisis in the public eye. We have an agreement, but the larger issues remain -- particularly amid a global pandemic -- and we all need to rededicate ourselves to finding bold solutions.

"Thanks as well go to City Council, particularly Council President Darrell Clarke, and Council members Jaimie Gauthier and Kendra Brooks, who devoted countless hours participating in discussions with encampment organizers. I also want to voice sincere appreciation to PHA CEO Kelvin Jeremiah for his personal commitment and dedication in helping resolve both encampments. Finally, I want to sincerely thank the Parkway neighbors for their patience and understanding. Throughout the past four months, many neighbors voiced their concerns to me about the situation, and frequently did so by acknowledging the larger issues that led to the camp. You have my commitment that the area will be fully restored and available for all Philadelphians."

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL CLARKE:
"On behalf of the residents of the surrounding communities of Fairmount, Spring Garden and Logan Square, I'm pleased that an agreement has been reached to resolve and end the encampment on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The residents of these neighborhoods have the right to live in peace and safety, and this agreement helps preserve that right. I've been dedicated to the cause of affordable housing for my entire career in City Council, and our efforts will continue energetically across the 5th District and the entire city."

Philadelphia officials announced on Tuesday, 10/13, that after reviewing the governor's new orders relating to indoor and outdoor crowd size they have determined to adopt their own tighter guidelines based on venue capacity. Currently, the maximum persons for indoor gatherings is 25 and outdoor gatherings is 250. Starting, Friday, 10/16, the new guidelines go into place. "Also note that for most venues that are smaller, this rule is actually more restrictive than the previous rule. A space that has a maximum occupancy of 150 can host no more than 15 people," Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said.

The maximum for any indoor event will be 250, while the maximum for any outdoor event will be 7,500. The difference between Philadelphia's guidelines and the state's lies in the percentages. Also the maximum indoor crowd allowed by the governor's rules is 3,750, while Philadelphia is only 250.

Maximum Occupancy Calculator for Indoor Events
Maximum Occupancy :: Allowable Indoor RateÂ
0-2,000 people :: 10% of Maximum Occupancy
More than 2,000 people :: 10% of Maximum Occupancy up to 250 people
No seating or maximum undefined :: 10 persons per 1000 square feet up to 250 people

Maximum Occupancy Calculator for Outdoor Events
Maximum Occupancy :: Allowable Outdoor RateÂ
0-2,000 people :: 20% of Maximum Occupancy
2,001 â€“ 10,000 people :: 15% of Maximum Occupancy
Over 10,000 people :: 15% of Maximum Occupancy up to 7,500 people
No seating or maximum undefined :: Above percentage of 67 per 1,000 square feet, up to 7,500

SEE ALSO: Philadelphia modifies size limits for safe events and gatherings

The Philadelphia Eagles announced that fans will be allowed back in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field starting this Sunday, 10/18, against the Baltimore Ravens. The new Philadelphia city guidelines on outdoor gatherings allow for 7,500 people to be inside the 69,000 capacity stadium. Taking into account players, coaches, team and stadium personnel that would leave 5,500-6,000 fans. Tickets will be sold in pods of 2-6 persons. Pods will be socially distanced from each other. Masks must be worn. All transactions inside stadium will be cashless. No tailgating. See the new health and safety guidelines below. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, 10/14, for the Baltimore game and the New York Giants game on Thursday, 10/22. Season ticket holders who opted in for this season will get the first chance to purchase tickets. Any remaining tickets will go on sale at a later date.

"We have been working very closely with state and local officials, public health experts and the National Football League on a number of scenarios to safely bring Eagles fans back to Lincoln Financial Field," said Eagles president Don Smolenski. "After many thoughtful and active discussions, we are thrilled to announce that the fan experience will return to Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday."

SEE: Eagles welcome back fans to Lincoln Financial Field in a limited capacity beginning Sunday!

SEE: FAN HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES