Art, Culture, History

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Art, Culture, History

Germantown Dates You Need to Know: Ways to Get Involved with GUCDC This Spring and Summer

There is a lot happening in Germantown this spring and summer, and Germantown United CDC wants residents, students, block leaders, vendors, artists, musicians, and community members to have clear information about upcoming opportunities to get involved.

From resident leadership and block beautification to youth artwork and Second Saturday events, these programs are part of GUCDC’s growing effort to support community voice, neighborhood pride, and visible improvements across Germantown.

Below are the key dates and deadlines to know.

Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee Election

Nomination Window: May 1–31

Germantown United CDC is launching Germantown’s Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee, also known as the NAS. The NAS will serve as a resident-led body connected to GUCDC’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee work and will help guide conversations around housing resources, community priorities, neighborhood projects, local development, and resident engagement. 

You can view and submit the nomination form, here.

Community members who live, work or worship in 19138 and 19144 are encouraged to learn more about the NAS election process and consider participating. This is an opportunity for Germantown residents to help strengthen community voice and ensure neighborhood priorities are shaped by the people who live here.

For more information, contact Sheirce White, Resident Services Manager, at [email protected].

The NAS is made possible with funding from the Division of Housing and Community Development.

 

 

Curbside Appeal Block Grants

Application Opens: May 11
Application Closes: June 12
NAC Block Nominations Due: June 26

The Philadelphia Neighborhood Block Curbside Appeal Grant Program supports visible improvements to residential blocks — from curb to steps. The program is designed to improve the exterior appearance of residential properties, build stronger connections between neighbors, and strengthen neighborhood pride.

Eligible blocks must be located in an income-eligible census tract, demonstrate collaborative planning, and show strong interest from block households. Homeowners may participate, and tenants may participate with written permission from the property owner. The City’s Curbside Appeal Program describes the effort as an investment in residential block beautification, neighborhood collaboration, quality of life, and neighborhood pride.

Applicants must apply as a team. The Block organizer may apply online or visit the GUCDC office for help submitting an application.

You can view more information about the program and complete the online form here.

For more information, contact Sheirce White, Resident Services Manager, at [email protected].

The Curbside Appeal Program is part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., Initiative

 

 

Anti-Littering Student Art Campaign

Student Artwork Submission Window: May 9–31

GUCDC is preparing a new anti-littering campaign focused on cleaner corridors, environmental education, and neighborhood pride. As part of this effort, GUCDC will invite students to submit artwork that helps educate the public about littering, public space, and caring for Germantown.

This campaign is connected to GUCDC’s broader Germantown Corridor Clean & Educate Campaign, which proposes installing 25 new trash receptacles along high-litter areas and pairing that infrastructure with youth-designed educational signage and community education. The campaign is designed to address unmanaged litter through both physical improvements and public education.

More details will be announced soon, but students and families should save the submission window now.

For more information, contact Matthew George at [email protected].

This campaign is funded by the William Penn Foundation

Second Saturdays: G-town Gatherings

Events Run: May–October
Time: 12–4 PM
Vendor and Performer Applications: Ongoing
Apply at least 2 weeks before your selected event date

Second Saturday: G-town Gatherings is a monthly, community-centered event series bringing neighbors and visitors together in the heart of Germantown. Taking place from 12–4 PM, May through October, each gathering is hosted at a different historic site, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the neighborhood while creating space for connection and joy.

Guests can expect live music, food trucks, and a mix of local vendors at every event. It’s a simple way to be outside, see familiar faces, meet new ones, and support small businesses rooted right here in the neighborhood.

 

2026 Schedule:

 May 9 — Vernon Park
June 13 — Market Square
July 11 — Wyck
August 8 — Johnson House
September 12 — Grumblethorpe
October 10 — Hood Cemetery

Vendor and performer applications are ongoing. Interested vendors, makers, artists, musicians, food businesses, plant sellers, and other creatives should apply at least two weeks before the event date or dates they are interested in.

For more information, contact [email protected]

These events are made possible thanks to Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC, with funding from Department of Commerce Department’s Corridor Enhancement Grant

 

Stay Connected

GUCDC is working to create more ways for Germantown residents and community members to engage meaningfully — whether that means joining a resident-led process, organizing with neighbors, sharing student artwork, vending at a community event, or helping shape neighborhood priorities.

Please save these dates, share them with a neighbor, and check back for updates.

Questions?
NAS and Curbside Appeal: [email protected]
Anti-Littering Campaign: [email protected]
Second Saturdays: [email protected]

 

Germantown Community Identity Project Announcement

DEC 2024 UPDATE: After gathering over 500 survey responses from neighbors and business owners, Germantown United CDC is thrilled to have kicked off the design process with Pixel Parlor! This initiative is the start of a bold journey to translate Germantown’s unique character into a vibrant and cohesive visual identity that honors our past and envisions a bright future. Designs are anticipated to be completed by early 2025, with street banners and other visual elements set to debut later in the year.

Germantown United CDC is thrilled to announce the launch of an innovative initiative aimed at translating the essence of Germantown into a dynamic, cohesive visual identity. Through the creation of new logos, color palettes, and taglines, we plan to harness the power of place to align vision and message and foster a sense of unity in the community. This project will bring the neighborhood together and connect Germantown’s commercial corridors through a visual identity that respects Germantown’s enduring character, and celebrates its rich history and promising future.

This initiative is specially crafted to uplift Germantown’s small business community. Our aim with this project is to not only spotlight the invaluable contributions of our local entrepreneurs but also to boost visibility and foot traffic to their establishments. By creating a vibrant and unified identity for Germantown, we aspire to enhance the local business landscape and improve the overall economic vitality of our community.

To make this project a reality, Germantown United CDC has partnered with Pixel Parlor, a creative agency known for its expertise in helping communities express their unique character. Pixel Parlor has a proven track record of collaborating with CDCs, local groups, businesses, and community organizations, assisting them in discovering and expressing the distinctive identity of their locations.

We’ll be working on this project throughout the fall and into the winter, and we invite you to be part of this exciting transformation. Read on for more project details.


Project Overview

PHASE 1: CAPTURING YOUR VOICE AND VISION
Our collaborative discovery and visioning process will lay the groundwork for this project. We’re kicking things off with a community survey. We aim to hear from a minimum of 500 residents, business owners, and neighborhood stakeholders.

To ensure that your perspectives guide this initiative, take the survey today. It will only take about 7-10 minutes to complete, and all responses are kept strictly confidential. For those who prefer paper surveys, printed copies are available at Germantown United CDC’s office, with additional distribution locations to be announced soon. Please call (215) 856-4303 to confirm availability.

We’re also exploring alternative outreach methods, including in-person surveys at community gatherings and high-traffic areas. We’re enlisting Community Connectors like you to help spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors in Germantown. You can assist by sharing the survey link on social media, distributing flyers in your neighborhood, sharing it within your civic association email list, or including it in your church bulletin. If you’re interested in supporting our outreach efforts, please contact us, and we’ll provide all the necessary resources!

PHASE 2: CRAFTING OUR IDENTITY
A community identity is more than just symbols and logos. Our goal is to celebrate our community—the unique streetscapes, defining businesses, and the residents who contribute to its vibrant character, making it an exceptional place to call home.

PHASE 3: STREET BANNERS
Imagine Germantown’s streets adorned with banners celebrating our neighborhood! During this phase, we’ll bring our design concepts to life and collaborate with expert partners for production. These banners will enhance Germantown’s visual landscape and are scheduled for installation in early 2024. While exact locations are yet to be determined, we’re considering Chelten Avenue, Germantown Avenue, Maplewood Mall, and sections of Wayne Avenue.

Define Germantown together. Take the survey.

PHASE 4: CELEBRATING LOCAL ARTISTRY
Germantown boasts an incredibly talented and creative community, and we’re excited to showcase their creativity as never before. We’ll be hosting a design competition for a series of Artist Banners and BigBelly Wraps (large trash compactors used by the city). Local artists are invited to infuse the new community identity into their designs.

Example of an artist designed BigBelly litter basket

GET INVOLVED
Throughout this journey, your voice remains invaluable. We encourage you to engage, participate in meetings, and share your feedback. Together, we’ll craft a community identity that reflects the energy, vibrancy, and aspirations that define Germantown.

Take the survey here. It should take around 7-10 minutes to complete. All responses will be confidential.

Vending Opportunities at the Germantown Second Saturday Festival, Saturday, May 14

Germantown United CDC (GUCDC) is seeking art and craft vendors to participate in the Art & Craft Marketplace at the Germantown Second Saturday Festival, presented by GUCDC and Historic Germantown.

The Festival will be held at Market Square Park, located at 5501 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144 on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine.

We have two available vendor spaces:
  • $30 for (1) 6 foot x 6 foot space
    includes (1) 6ft table provided as part of vendor price
  • $55 for (1) 12 foot x 12 foot space
    includes (2) 6ft tables provided as part of vendor price

Tents (bring your own) are available for use in the 12ft x 12ft space only.

Please consider signing up to vend, sharing this information with your creative and entrepreneurial friends, and attending! 

For additional questions about vending at the Germantown Second Saturday Festival, or to submit a completed application contact [email protected].


Vendor Application & Agreement 

Follow the instructions below to complete your application.
  1. Download the Vendor Application & Agreement as a PDF file or Word document
    https://drive.google.com/a/germantownunitedcdc.org/folderview?id=0B3OZzcTGvhQ4RWNRRnVYczYwZjg&usp=sharing 
  2. Fill out/print page 6 of the Application, or submit Part 1 online today right here (it’s quick): http://goo.gl/forms/a8IthSaLdd
  3. Submit payment (see below for online payment options; see the application for Money Order or Cash payments)
  4. Sign the Memorandum of Agreement (page 7)
  5. Return pages 6 & 7 of the Application to GUCDC by May 1, 2016
Your completed application, signed Memorandum of Agreement, and vending fee must be received by May 1st, 2016 in order to vend at this event. Advance registration and payment is required.

More detailed information about vending at the Festival is provided in the full Vendor Application & Agreement. Additional instructions on vendor load-in, setup, and breakdown will be provided after you have submitted your Application.

Make Your Payment Online:


Space Options



Anticipated Attendance:

Germantown United CDC’s Reimagining Maplewood Mall Festival in 2015 attracted 1,000 guests; because we have ramped up programming and partnered with Historic Germantown this year, we anticipate the same or more participation this year. View the Facebook event listing here. As of 4/10,  1.7K have expressed interest in the event on Facebook alone with nearly 500 already confirming attendance.

Where is Market Square Park?

Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, May 12

The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12pm to 5pm in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The festival will take place at Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue) and along Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane and Coulter Street, which will be closed to traffic. Rain or shine.

The community festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation, invites the public to experience Germantown. The festival celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

Check out the full list of featured performers, learn about participating vendors, and see photos from past festivals >>

Seeking Community Organizations, Food Vendors, Art, Craft, and Other Merchants

Germantown United CDC and Historic Germantown are currently seeking community organizations, food vendors, art, craft, and other merchants to participate in the Vendor Marketplace at the 4th annual festival Germantown Second Saturday Festival.

To apply, fill out the registration form below.

Registration closes Friday, April 27. 

Learn more about the Festival and view photos of past events >>

Experience Germantown! Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, May 12

The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12pm to 5pm in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The community festival invites the public to experience Germantown, celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

Presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC, the festival will take place along a one-block stretch of Germantown Avenue, between School House Ln and Coulter St, and surround Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Ave). Featuring: Live Music & Performance, Food Trucks, Art & Craft Marketplace, Historic Re-enactors, Family Friendly Programs, Free Bus & Walking Tours of Historic Germantown Sites.

Follow this event page for more information as it becomes available >>

Germantown Community Radio now live at 92.9 on the FM dial

The Germantown Community Radio Partners will celebrate the launch of Germantown’s new low power FM radio station on Saturday, February 17 from 2pm ­to 5pm with special on-air programming and satellite listening parties. 92.9 FM is Germantown Community Radio: All Germantown All the Time. Now broadcasting live from downtown Germantown, the station features locally produced and syndicated non-commercial programming.

The festivities on February 17th include two pop-up listening parties featuring meet-and-greets with show hosts, giveaways, and the opportunity to record an interview for radio broadcast. The listening parties will be held at Germantown Life Enrichment Center (5722 Greene St) from 2pm to 4pm, and Germantown Espresso Bar (26 Maplewood Mall) from 2pm to 5pm.

Representatives from the Germantown Community Radio Partners will also be live in the studio from 2pm – 5pm, located at the headquarters of G-town Radio (26 Maplewood Mall). On-air programming will include an introduction of new radio hosts, special guests from the Germantown community, a sneak peek at exciting programming in the works, and other behind the scenes stories. Listeners are encouraged to call the studio at 215-609-4301 and get on the air.

Getting on the FM dial

Back in 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that low-power radio frequencies would be distributed to community nonprofit organizations across the country. In Philadelphia a number of organizations applied, including several groups based in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. In 2017, the three Germantown community organizations that were successfully granted licenses from the FCC fulfilled the four-year quest to bring a unifying voice to Philly’s diverse Germantown. The organizations, now cooperating as the Germantown Community Radio Partners, are: WGGT-LP G-town Radio, a robust community internet radio station; WRGU-LP Germantown United Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization who’s mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development; and WRLG-LP Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC), a community-oriented recreational and educational facility in the heart of Germantown. Each group operates independently under the auspices of their parent nonprofits.

The partners agreed to form a time-share, at the request of the FCC, and invest in a broadcast tower to get on the air. During this lengthy process, the timeshare partners had to defend a legal challenge to their license that went all the way to Federal Court before they finally prevailed in the summer of 2017.

In January 2018, the community radio station tower and transmitter was constructed and installed atop the tallest building in Germantown, Interfaith House of Germantown (18 W Chelten Ave). Listeners can now tune in to 92.9 on the FM dial. The broadcast signal will easily reach all of Germantown, and adjacent neighborhoods––from Nicetown to Chestnut Hill, East Falls and Roxborough to Glenside, and places in between.

Germantown has access to this frequency 4 1/2 days a week from noon on Wednesdays to midnight on Sunday. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday morning, 92.9 FM will be off-air in Germantown. (The frequency is also shared with a group in South Philadelphia, who will be on-air in their neighborhood during that time.) Streaming will also be available at gtownradio.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About Germantown Community Radio Partners

WGGT-LP
G-town Radio
26 Maplewood Mall
[email protected]
215-609-4301
gtownradio.com

G-town Radio is a community internet radio station that broadcast 24 hours a day. G-town Radio strives to level the playing field of media access by focusing on the neighborhood of Germantown, the surrounding communities and all of Philadelphia. Our mission is to be an exceptional outlet for local content, community news, and a diverse spectrum of music. We broadcast sounds, ideas, and talk not found on mainstream media. It is our belief that a strong community is one that offers a platform for neighbors, community members and listeners to share news and generate discussion on topics that impact our neighborhood, our city and the world.

WRGU-LP
Germantown United CDC

5320 Germantown Ave
[email protected]
215-856-4303
germantownunitedcdc.org

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business district in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Vibrant commercial corridors or “Main Streets” contribute to strong neighborhoods. They provide a place to work, shop, and meet your neighbors. Through our Targeted Corridor Management Program contract with the city’s Commerce Department, Germantown United CDC provides assistance to businesses, brings planning and resources to the corridor, oversees activities to make the corridor clean and safe, and works to attract new businesses to the area. We are actively working to bolster and reinforce the vibrancy of the business district to meet the needs of the surrounding community and attract visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood. Germantown United CDC is also exploring opportunities to strengthen and diversify the mix of commercial uses in the business district, the potential to reuse vacant or underutilized properties, business and job attraction strategies, and available sources of funding to support recommended revitalization strategies.

WRLG-LP
Germantown Life Enrichment Center
5722 Greene St
[email protected]
215-844-3281 
glifecenter.org

The Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC) was founded in 1871 as the YMCA of Germantown and became an independent organization in 2010. GLEC provides recreational facilities for all ages  – a fitness center, pool, courts, afterschool and camp for children, classes, social activities and community meeting spaces – as well as a 128-unit residence for low-income men. It also houses a small radio production studio.

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Download a PDF of the press release >>

Karen Singer Tileworks Celebrates 25 years in Germantown with Celebration on Nov. 25

Every year Germantown United CDC commissions longtime Germantown business Karen Singer Tileworks Inc. to design a commemorative tile featuring an iconic G’town building. So far, we’ve created tiles of Town Hall and the YWCA. vote-icon-29811-pngThis year we’re asking YOU to help us pick.

The buildings we’re considering include the historic Loudoun Mansion at 4650 Germantown Ave, Germantown High School at 40 High St, and Vernon House (Black Writer’s Museum) at 4800 Germantown Avenue in Vernon Park. Vote on which building you’d like to see made into a tile this year! One lucky voter will win a decorative tile. Vote online here.

This holiday season, Karen Singer Tilesworks will celebrate 25 years in business in Germantown with a celebratory party and seasonal sale on Friday, November 25th from 4 – 8 p.m. at the tile studio, located at 90 E Church Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19144. ‘Tis the season to shop small and buy local! Read on to learn more about Karen’s contributions to the Germantown community and support this independent business.


Karen Singer Tileworks Celebrates 25 years in Germantown
November 25th marks the day! Start off the holiday season at KST Studio

Anniversary Sale-A-Bration November 25th, 25% off gallery items, until Dec 25th… Get it?
www.KarenSinger.com

Celebrate with KST, 25 years of story telling through art tiles, murals, and donor walls. 25 years of helping non-profits create a visual representation of their mission, 25 years of giving back to the community of Germantown and Greater Northwest.

Karen has her studio and home in Germantown for 25 years and is going strong. She is not only of this Germantown community but she is fully engaged in it. As a former Pa Arts in Education Resident Karen has conducted workshops engaging students in the art making process and installed tiled murals in Houston Elementary, Kelly Elementary among others and done the same at Project Learn and Henry School pro bono as part of her ethic of giving back to the community.

She is part of the fundraising committee at Germantown United CDC creating an annual tile representing an aspect of Germantown history, as a fundraising incentive for those who donate a certain amount thereby helping sustain the good works of GUCDC.

25-anniversary-front-4x6

Please join us November 25th from 4 – 8 p.m.

Karen Singer Tileworks
90 E Church Lane
Philadelphia, Pa. 19144

Local Music: Buy the “For the Love of Germantown” Benefit Album

Philadelphia is home to strong musical traditions like Jazz, Gospel, DooWop, R&B, Rock and Hiphop. Our greatest strength has been the unexpected and wonderful blending and swirling of these traditions into new and fascinating musical creations. One place where this magic happens is Germantown. This community in the Northwestern region of Philadelphia was and continues to be a neighborhood rich in culture, history and diverstity. Many renowned Philadelphia musicians, writers, visual artists, media makers and dancers grew up, or made their homes in Germantown.

pjplogo-wht-blkbox

In the Spring of 2016, Philadelphia Jazz Project began a collaboration with Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) and a group of talented Germantown musicians. The task: To record and produce a compelling CD, as a fundraiser for GUCDC. The goal: To celebrate the historical cultural strength and diversity of Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown community. The culminating album – entitled “For the Love of Germantown” – is a compilation of nine great Jazz, Blues and Soul performances of new and classic songs. Featured album artists include: Jim Dragoni, Bethlehem & Sad Patrick, Karen Smith, DM Hotep (David Middleton), Kunu Bi with Papa Ed Stokes & Tom Lowery, Mélange Jazz Collective with Bert Harris, Tony Williams & Dave Posmontier, Rob Henderson, and John Blake & Steve Giordano Duo.

‘Tis the season to shop small and buy local! Make a donation of $15 to Germantown United CDC to receive your very own copy. “For the Love of Germantown!” is another great way for you to support Germantown’s burgeoning arts scene, and Germantown United CDC’s creative and community driven approach to economic development.

BUY THE CD ONLINE

ftlog-gtown-cd-coverart

The album, produced by Philadelphia Jazz Project’s Homer Jackson, was released on October 30, 2016 and celebrated with a live jam session and album release party at Germantown’s Rittenhouse Soundworks.

Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.

“This is Germantown Heart & Soul” Winter Community Gatherings, beginning November 19th

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Download the press release as a PDF >>

“This is Germantown Heart & Soul” Winter Community Gatherings

Ask Residents to Guide Neighborhood Development in Northwest Philadelphia
Through Creative Participatory Planning Process, beginning November 19th

_final_gtownheartsoul-04Germantown, Philadelphia, PA – This is Germantown Heart & Soul, a project of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) and Just Act, will host a series of community gatherings throughout Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood this winter beginning on November 19, 2016. The Germantown community is invited to participate in a unique interactive group storytelling experience. Unlike traditional civic meetings and town halls, the events – called Story Circles – use theater as a planning tool and center on capturing the wishes, needs, and ideas of residents as they share personal stories of meaningful experiences in Germantown and what they view as essential for growth of the neighborhood’s vibrant but struggling shopping district. A calendar of events is included below, with additional dates to be announced.

Story Circles will be facilitated by a multigenerational “Storytelling Engagement Team” comprised of Germantown residents, with support from the Just Act Ensemble. The collected stories will guide Germantown United CDC’s future work and plans for successful, community-responsive business corridor revitalization and contribute to efforts underway to make the central business district a people-centered main street destination for the Germantown community and visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood.

“This is Germantown Heart & Soul aims to create a shared sense of belonging that ultimately improves local decision-making and strengthens social, cultural, and economic vibrancy,” said Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager at Germantown United CDC. “Germantown is one of the city’s largest neighborhoods, with a population of 44,000. It’s important to recognize that the immediate needs of residents living in the Chew and Belfield area of East Germantown might differ from those in West Germantown’s Penn-Knox section, for example. That doesn’t mean the Eastside and the Westside have nothing in common. We also all share the business district.”

A core goal of the project is to connect both the formal and informal networks contributing to community improvement efforts and operating at the micro level – from block captains to Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) and neighborhood civics with limited boundaries.

Scenes from the This is Heart & Soul pop-up story booth at the Friends of Vernon Park Spring Bazaar, October 8, 2016; Park(ing) Day Philadelphia installation, September 16, 2016; and Maple Village Story Gathering, October 18, 2016.

“These story sharing events build upon an interest and commitment in helping communities adapt and implement positive changes based upon the vision and experiences of all community members and create new opportunities for residents and community stakeholders to meet in-person,” said Lisa Jo Epstein, Executive Director of Just Act.

This is Germantown Heart & Soul made its public debut in the spring of 2016 through a series of successful pop-up story booths held along the business district at a variety of spaces, from the bustling intersection of Germantown and Chelten Avenues to the annual Juneteenth Celebration, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, organized by the Johnson House Historic Site. The Story Engagement Team was formed in the summer and fall of 2016 and has been meeting regularly to train for and plan the upcoming Story Circles events. The Germantown Life Enrichment Center, a community-oriented recreational and educational facility in the heart of Germantown at 5722 Greene Street, generously donated meeting space for the team and is one of several This is Germantown Heart & Soul sponsoring organizations.

Story Engagement Team training sessions. 


With the addition of the more intimate Story Circles series, This is Germantown Heart & Soul will:

  • Build, diversify, and strengthen resident engagement with and collective participation in civic process to increase impact and positively affect neighborhood-wide planning decisions;
  • Strengthen resident readiness for, and engagement in the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s “Philadelphia2035” District Planning process for the Upper Northwest, slated for 2017-2018;
  • Expand who participates in public processes related to real estate development and neighborhood revitalization by engaging isolated and diverse resident groups;
  • Cultivate and/or improve relationships, social community cohesion and stewardship of place.

The collected data will also become the highlight of “Community Cataloguing Data Jams” – events in January 2017 where participants will listen to transcripts of stories from their neighbors to collectively identify and catalogue shared visions for what the community values.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The current calendar of events is included below. Additional dates will be added. All Germantown residents and community stakeholders are invited. Events are open to the public. Food and refreshments will be provided, along with live music and good cheer. Attend one or attend them all. For an up-to-date program calendar visit facebook.com/thisisgermantownheartandsoul. Contact Germantown United CDC at 215-856-4303 or [email protected].

Saturday, November 19 from 4 – 6 p.m.
Location: Providence Baptist Church, 87 E. Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Sponsoring Community Organization: Providence Baptist Church

Monday, December 5 from 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Awbury Arboreteum, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Sponsoring Community Organization: Awbury Arboretum Neighbors, Chew and Belfield Neighbors Club, and Awbury Arboreteum

Tuesday, December 13 from 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Germantown Mennonite Church, 21 W Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Sponsoring Community Organization: Pastorius Community Garden, Men Who Care of Germantown, Germantown Mennonite Church, and Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust


About Germantown United Community Development Corporation

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business district in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Vibrant commercial corridors or “Main Streets” contribute to strong neighborhoods. They provide a place to work, shop, and meet your neighbors. Through our Targeted Corridor Management Program contract with the city’s Commerce Department, Germantown United CDC provides assistance to businesses, brings planning and resources to the corridor, oversees activities to make the corridor clean and safe, and works to attract new businesses to the area. We are actively working to bolster and reinforce the vibrancy of the business district to meet the needs of the surrounding community and attract visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood. Germantown United CDC is also exploring opportunities to strengthen and diversify the mix of commercial uses in the business district, the potential to reuse vacant or underutilized properties, business and job attraction strategies, and available sources of funding to support recommended revitalization strategies.

Website: http://germantownunitedcdc.org
Social: facebook.com/germantowncdc | twitter.com/germantowncdc | instagram.com/germantowncdc

About Just Act

Just Act is a distinctive hybrid of artistic and community engagement committed to social justice. Our Ensemble of artist-educators facilitate unique theatre-based programs with non-actors that activate and nurture meaningful dialogue, reflection, healing and action around complex, often divisive social issues. Just Act is committed to building and fortifying inclusive, restorative civic engagement through partnerships across sectors and differences. Informed by Theatre of the Oppressed and other art and activist strategies, our work is a creative catalyst for community activism and personal change. In all we undertake, Just Act renews and deepens the capacity of social change seekers and makers to stand up for justice on personal, inter-group and systemic levels with compassion and renewed courage. In these times of anxiety, bustle and disconnection, Just Act offers refreshing, participatory “refuel zones” to creatively pause and attend to tension and fractured relations – particularly around race, culture, and socio-economic disparities – to reweave connections and grow empathy, understanding and action plans.

Website: http://www.justact.org
Social:
facebook.com/justact.today | twitter.com/JustActToday


Media Contact:
Emaleigh Doley
Commercial Corridor Manager, Germantown United CDC
Office: 215-856-4303
Mobile: 610-331-3758
[email protected]

Lisa Jo Epstein
Executive Director, Just Act
Mobile: 215-290-9784
[email protected] 

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CD Release Party with Germantown United & Philadelphia Jazz Project, Sunday, October 30, 2016

pjplogo-wht-blkboxGermantown United CDC and Philly Jazz Project are proud to announce the release of a brand new musical album featuring a lineup of superb local acts generously displaying their talents, “For the Love of Germantown!” On Sunday, October 30, 2016 from 4 PM – 6 PM join us at Rittenhouse Soundworks (219 W Rittenhouse St) to hear the artists perform a live show, enjoy an open bar and good cheer, and take home your own copy of this never-before-heard compilation of music inspired by Germantown. The product of two years of planning and effort by the Philadelphia Jazz Project and producer, Homer Jackson, “For the Love of Germantown!” is another great way for you to support Germantown’s burgeoning arts scene, and Germantown United’s creative and community driven approach to economic development.

Featured artists on the album include: Bethlehem & Sad Patrick, DM Hotep (David Middleton), Jim Dragoni, John Blake & Steve Giordano Duo, Karen Smith, Kunu Bi, Melange Jazz Collective, Rob Henderson, Tony Williams & Dave Posmontier, and many others.

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And there’s more: attendees will witness the unveiling of Germantown’s new online business directory, and have the honor of being the first contributors as we kick off our 2016 grassroots growth campaign aiming to raise $40,000 to ensure our ongoing work in 2017! All proceeds raised from this event will be added to our fund.

Tickets: $15 Admission Only; $30 Admission + Copy of the CD; $20 CD Only

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The Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.

Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, May 14, 2016, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2016

Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC present
Germantown Second Saturday Festival, Saturday, May 14
Eat. Shop. Play. Learn. Experience Germantown!

WHAT: Germantown Second Saturday Festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation. Featuring: A pop-up dance performance by BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet; Art & Craft Marketplace; Live Music; Food Trucks; Historic Re-enactors; Family Friendly Programs; Free Bus Tours to Historic Germantown Sites; and more.

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19144); Germantown Avenue between School House Lane and Coulter Street

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA – The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The festival will take place along a one-block stretch of Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane and Coulter Street, and surround Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue). Rain or shine.

The community festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation, invites the public to experience Germantown. The festival will celebrate the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcase the many thriving cultural, civic and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

BalletX LogoThroughout the day, musicians, poets, and creative performing artists will take to the main stage on Germantown Avenue. BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet, will present a 45-minute pop-up dance performance from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., thanks to generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. BalletX unites distinguished choreographers with an outstanding company of world-class dancers to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace.

Musical talent includes popular local artists: Amari Rebel, Bethleham and Sad Patrick, Clef Club Youth Jazz Ensemble, Jim Dragoni, and many others. Germantown resident Yolanda Wisher, the City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, will host the festivities.

Visitors will learn about Historic Germantown’s 16 extraordinary historic houses, destinations, and museums at the festival, including Awbury Arboretum, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Grumblethrope, and Wyck. The adventurous can board free bus tours to Historic Germantown sites, located throughout Germantown, departing from the Festival’s main area (register for bus tours in advance at freedomsbackyard.com). Throughout the day, historic reenactors will share neighborhood history.

Pictured: Market Square Park

Over 30 vendors will participate in the Art & Craft Marketplace, coordinated by Germantown United CDC. Local Germantown eateries and visiting food trucks including The Lunchbox, a specialty peanut butter and jelly food cart, will be on-site. Attendees can also get to know many of Germantown’s civic and community organizations, including Episcopal Youth Mission, Friends of Vernon Park, Germantown Artists Roundtable, and Germantown Life Enrichment Center. Alongside Germantown United CDC, city planners from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission will share development plans for key Germantown sites.

The Germantown Second Saturday Festival is a new venture, and combines Germantown United CDC’s Re-imagining Maplewood Mall Festival and Historic Germantown’s Second Saturday Season Opener. In an effort to bring renewed attention and interest to a little-used neighborhood park and public space and more broadly promote the Second Saturday series, Germantown United CDC relocated their annual spring festival to Market Square Park and joined forces with Historic Germantown.

Schedule of Live Music & Performances

Performance start times are approximate.

12:00 p.m. Festival Start Time
12:00 p.m. Welcome and Kick-off from Yolanda Wisher, City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate
12:10 p.m. Settlement Music School Adult Jazz Band
12:30 p.m. Wissahickon Dance Academy (modern and jazz)
1:00 p.m. BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet
1:45 p.m. Irma Gartner as “Dinah” (historical reenactor)
2:00 p.m. Bethlehem and Sad Patrick (singer/guitarist)
2:12 p.m. Adam Monoco (singer/mandolin)
2:25 p.m. Clef Club Youth Jazz Ensemble
2:43 p.m. Lillian Hightower (vocalist)
2:55 p.m. Yolanda Wisher and the Culture Keepers (poetry)
3:05 p.m. Wissahickon Dance Academy (tap and hiphop)
3:15 p.m. Jim Dragoni (musician)
3:30 p.m. Karen Smith (drummer)
3:50 p.m. Dominique London (poetry/vocalist)
4:05 p.m. Amari Rebel (singer/drummer – band)
4:20 p.m. Ashley Phillips (vocalist)
4:40 p.m. prod (drummers/band)
4:55 p.m. Yolanda Wisher (poet)
5:00 p.m. Festival End Time

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Public Transit & Parking

The festival is accessible by SEPTA. Bus Routes: 23 Bus, XH Bus; Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail: Germantown Station (150 E Chelten Ave). Visit septa.org for schedules.

Street parking is available beyond the festival grounds. The 5400 block of Germantown Ave and the unit block of E Church Ln will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m.  – 7 p.m. for the Festival.

Free off-street parking is available thanks to our generous community partners. Parking lots are located at:

Citizens Bank Lot
5500 Germantown Ave (enter lot from W Schoolhouse Ln)

Wells Fargo Lot
5500 Germantown Ave (enter lot from W Schoolhouse Ln)

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church & Germantown Friends School Lot
SE Corner of 5300 block of Germantown Ave & E Coulter St (enter lot from Germantown Ave or E Coulter St)

About

Historic Germantown
Historic Germantown is a partnership organization serving historic sites in Philadelphia’s Old German Township that works collaboratively to preserve its extraordinary historic assets, increase access, interpret them to the public and raise their visibility. Learn more at freedomsbackyard.com.

Germantown United CDC
The mission of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business corridors in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Learn more at http://germantownunitedcdc.org.

BalletX
BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet, unites distinguished choreographers with an outstanding company of world-class dancers to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. Founded in 2005 by Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, and now under the direction of Cox as Artistic & Executive Director, BalletX challenges the boundaries of classical ballet by encouraging formal experimentation while preserving rigorous technique. The company is committed to producing new works of the highest quality and integrity that bring the combined visions of choreographers and dancers to life and cultivate in audiences a collective appetite for bold, new dance.

With generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in its 10th Anniversary 2015-16 Season BalletX presents a series of 10 free pop-up performances around the Philadelphia community. Visit www.BalletX.org to find out where the company will be next!

Press Contacts

Emaleigh Doley
Commercial Corridor Manager
Germantown United CDC
610-331-3758 (mobile)
215-856-4303
[email protected]  

Trapeta Mayson
Executive Director
Historic Germantown
215-844-1683, Ext. 101
[email protected]

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Eco-friendly innovators tell Germantown forum attendees how easy it is to be green

May 10, 2013

By Alaina Mabaso for NewsWorks, @AlainaMabaso

A diverse panel of local innovators shared details of their eco-friendly urban projects at Germantown United Community Development Corp.’s second annual community forum on Wednesday night.

The “It IS Easy Being Green” event drew a large crowd to the Flying Horse Center on Pulaski Street near Chelten Ave. in Germantown.

Before the panel discussion, attendees perused a “trade show” of tables from groups including Awbury Arboretum, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the John B. Kelly School’s “Kelly Green” grounds initiative, the Philadelphia Streets Department and the Sustainable Business Network.

Molly Finch, an educator with the Tookany-Tacony-Frankford Watershed, passed out small packets of sunflower seeds and suggested “guerrilla planting” for those without their own gardens.

“Stuff like this,” she said of the forum, “should be happening more often.”

The keynote address

GUCDC Board President Andy Trackman introduced moderator and keynote speaker Robert Fleming, associate professor of sustainable design at Philadelphia University.

Fleming, who co-founded the university’s Engineering and Design Institute and its sustainable-design Master’s degree program, led his remarks with childhood memories of Maplewood Mall and Mt. Airy.

Fleming, who also works as an LEED-accredited consultant to firms designing green buildings, showcased real-life statements he encountered from business owners in the nineties.

Vignettes included statements like “the Internet is too slow; it’ll never catch on,” and firms that insisted they didn’t need e-mail or websites because they had telephones and fax machines.

He compared those to naysayers claiming that “green” buildings will never catch on.

Greening strategies

Fleming then referenced a series of events that have left people with a fearful eye for the future, environmental or otherwise. Those included Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the BP oil spill, the Fukushima nuclear disaster and Hurricane Sandy.

Fleming said those pressing problems leave him wanting “a more holistic view of what sustainability can be,” noting that AbrahamMaslow’s hierarchy of needs should be a model for viable greening efforts.

Specifically, he said that clean air, water and good food should underlie diverse and inclusive communities with strong economies. To top it all off, “green” efforts must be artfully crafted, to satisfy a human need for beauty, Fleming maintained.

Panelists speak

Seven panelists then shared a range of projects with the crowd.

Christine Knapp, director of strategic partnerships at the Philadelphia Water Department, spoke about the problem of urban storm-water management.

She explained the difference between “combined” sewer systems (comprising 60 percent of Philadelphia’s sewers) which cause dangerous overflow when sewage and stormwaters mingle, and “separate” ones, which help prevent flooding by giving sewage and storm-water different underground pathways.

Knapp touted solutions like rain barrels, rain gardens, roof plantings, porous pavement and increasing the number of trees planted in the city as efforts that would beautify as well as tackle sewer woes.

Obesity and re-entry

Representing the Food Trust, Dwayne Wharton pointed to a small drop in the obesity rates of city youth.

That reduction followed a range of healthy food-access initiatives like eliminating soda drinks and fryers in school cafeterias and a proliferation of city farmers’ markets that accept SNAP benefits.

The purpose of those moves was to “make the healthy choice the easy choice,” Wharton said.

Kelly Maillie, an AmeriCorps intern with the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, described a program called “Roots to Re-Entry” which trains Philadelphia Prison System inmates in food growing and landscape management.

The program, which also helps with former inmates’ job placement, was sparked by PHS’ City Harvest and currently helps to feed about 1,200 needy families per week.

Rockland Street, graffiti and storefronts

From there, Germantown sisters Aine and Emaleigh Doley spoke about their “West Rockland Street Project” which, without the help of any official structure or umbrella supporter, has revitalized a block of Southwest Germantown.

The neighborhood activists spoke about their successful efforts to remove blighted buildings, reduce dumping, build gardens, foster community engagement and even increase voter registration through a string of targeted events and initiatives.

Germantown artist and muralist Zack Bird shared his efforts to cover rampant graffiti on the Wissahickon’s stately stonework.

His before-and-after photos demonstrated that a sealed faux-finish, done with discarded house paints, can restore the appearance of stone without the costly and damaging removal work of sand-blasting.

Vivian Nabeta, who serves as New Haven, Ct. director of arts, culture and tourism, shared that city’s successful “Project Storefront” program, which livens up corridors by helping artists and entrepreneurs get into formerly vacant retail spaces.

 

Panelists at GUCDC’s “It IS Easy Being Green” forum spoke in Germantown about eco-friendly accomplishments. (Alaina Mabaso/for NewsWorks)

 

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/54596-eco-friendly-innovators-tell-germantown-forum-attendees-how-easy-it-is-to-be-green?linktype=hp_topstorylist

New 2016 Community Grant Program Application Deadlines, Germantown United CDC Announces 2015 “Fund for Germantown” Micro-grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA (March 31, 2016): In an effort to align grant funding for community improvement efforts with the warmer weather months for outdoor projects, Germantown United CDC (GUCDC) is changing the grant application dates for the Fund for Germantown, the organization’s micro-grant program supporting community-driven beautification projects in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. In 2016, the deadlines will be Friday, April 15, and Friday, September 30. Funding guidelines may be found on Germantown United’s website at www.germantownunitedcdc.org. To request an application, email [email protected] or call 215-856-4303.

_FUND_Logo-01Germantown United CDC distributes small grants ranging from $100 to $1000 to local organizations, civic associations, businesses, and individuals seeking to beautify the Germantown neighborhood. The grant program is part of GUCDC’s ongoing efforts to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development.

The focus of the Fund for Germantown is to support projects that will have an immediate physical impact on the neighborhood. The fund provides grants for physical improvements across Germantown including, but not limited to, landscaping, signage, painting, reclaiming empty lots, and waste removal.

Germantown United CDC is proud to announce all 2015 grantees

Since the Fund for Germantown launched, 19 micro-grants have been awarded, with funds supporting a wide range of projects from greening to murals, neighborhood bulletin boards, cleanups and other community-building activities.

In 2015, seven projects were funded in the July 2015 round, and two were funded for the December 31 round.

Winning project ideas from 2015 include:

  • Business owner Lynn Washington will install a ‘Little Free Library’ to the front of Books & Stuff, her bookstore located at 23 W Maplewood Mall.
  • Residents Clint Steib and Villia Lateef will lead their neighbors in a planting and beautification project on the 4500 and 4600 blocks of Greene Street aimed at traffic calming.
  • Artist and photographer Tieshka Smith will launch the Peaceful Places public signage project in Germantown’s storied Penn-Knox neighborhood, next to the Central Germantown business corridor
  • Fitler Academics Plus, a public elementary school in Germantown serving students in grades one through eight located at 140 W Seymour St (at Knox St) will paint ground murals and organized games in the school’s playground
  • West Central Germantown Neighbors civic association will enhance their community orchard and garden project at the Tulpehocken Train Station, a SEPTA Regional Rail station at 333 W Tulpehocken St (off Walnut Ln and Wayne Ave)
  • Support to sustain the ongoing streetscape beautification efforts of Men Who Care of Germantown around their headquarters at 180 East Tulpehocken St (at Morton St)
  • The Imperfect Gallery will install an interactive sidewalk mural outside of the gallery and community space at 5601 Greene St, adjacent to the Maplewood Mall pedestrian plaza and shopping corridor
  • Freedom Gardens, a project by Germantown resident Susan Guggenheim, will connect local gardeners who would like to share their crop free of charge with Germantown residents looking to improve their diets with home-grown produce; Freedom Gardens will be identified by lawn signs and online via Google Maps
  • Support to sustain Chew-Belfield Neighbors Club’s ongoing cleaning and beautification projects in East Germantown

The Fund for Germantown us supported through generous seed funding by local real estate developers Howard Treatman and Ken Weinstein. “We are excited to support these small projects that have a big impact”, says funder Ken Weinstein. “These kinds of initiatives are exactly what we had in mind when we envisioned the Fund for Germantown”, said Howard Treatman. “It’s been great to see how Germantown United has been able to empower the community and leverage grassroots efforts.”

About Germantown United CDC

Germantown United Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)3 organization that was created to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Founded in 2011, Germantown United CDC’s focus is to work with residents, businesses and community organizations to create an inspirational vision of Germantown’s business corridors and surrounding neighborhoods, create innovative case studies and sustainable business models to attract green-oriented developers, and recruit forward-thinking investors committed to fostering sustainable economic growth and development for all Germantown residents. Learn more at http://germantownunitedcdc.org.

Contact
Germantown United CDC
Andy Trackman, [email protected]
Emaleigh Doley, [email protected]
Office: 215.856.4303 

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GUCDC’s Storefront Activation Program: Pairing Local Artists and Makers with Germantown Businesses

Call for proposals!

We’re looking for low-cost, high impact projects. 

Download the program information below as a PDF file >>

We’re currently accepting proposals for Germantown United CDC’s (GU) Storefront Activation Program – a low-cost, high impact initiative that pairs local artists and makers with neighborhood businesses and property owners to upgrade storefront window displays, and interior spaces visible from the street. The grant program aims to enliven the street for pedestrians, attract more customers to existing businesses, market available commercial properties, and promote Germantown to prospective businesses. If you’re a business and want your storefront redone, or if you’re a maker and have an idea for a project, get in touch with Emaleigh Doley at [email protected].

Examples of Creative Storefronts

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clothing store

hardware bearwithus

Above: Inspiration for the Storefront Activation Program. Below: Looking out from inside The Sugar Bowl at 6104 Germantown Ave. The Sugar Bowl is participating in the Storefront Activation Program! Do you have an idea for how to remake their window display? Get in touch today!

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Program Description

Storefront Activation Program
Pairing Local Artists and Makers with Germantown Businesses

Download the program information below as a PDF file >>

Germantown United CDC’s (GU) Storefront Activation Program (SAP) is a low-cost, high impact initiative that pairs local artists and makers with neighborhood businesses and property owners to upgrade storefront window displays, and interior spaces visible from the street.
The SAP supports GU’s efforts to revitalize Germantown’s business corridors by strengthening current businesses, activating street-level storefronts, and improving the overall appearance of the corridor by adding a visual richness to the walkway. The grant program also aims to enliven the street for pedestrians, attract more customers to existing businesses, market available commercial properties, and promote Germantown to prospective businesses.

The Storefront Activation Program will:

  1. Activate 5 or more storefronts (occupied or vacant) located on Germantown Avenue, Chelten Avenue, or Maplewood Mall using temporary or long-term window displays, or interior displays visible from the street, created by Germantown artists
  2. Provide Germantown artists with an employment opportunity
  3. Help business owners of occupied buildings better market their businesses; and help the property owners of vacant commercial buildings market vacant spaces to prospective tenants

What we are looking for:

  1. Eye-catching, creative displays in storefront windows (temporary or permanent)
  2. Displays that generate awareness and draw from the products/services offered by the business, helping to market the business in a unique way; displays can also be seasonal or holiday-themed; Germantown or neighborhood history-related subjects can also be explored
  3. Collaboration with the business/property owner in the creative process; the artist/maker may also work with other artists, students, and community members
  4. Projects that can be implemented quickly and make an immediate impact; the installation timeframe should be short and no more than 10 days

Participating artists and makers will provide:

  1. Design renderings and/or a written summary of the project
  2. Estimated project budget, including stipend and materials
  3. Labor for installation and de-installation (if temporary)

Germantown United CDC will provide:

  1. Financing for the project including full cost of supplies
  2. Artist stipends, based on the agreed-upon budget for each individual project
  3. Serve as an intermediary between artists and business/property owners
  4. Promote the program and completed projects via GU’s website and social media networks, and select press outreach

Project budgets may range from $250 to $2,500.

Projects that re-use and re-purpose materials, and include in-kind donations of supplies and materials are highly encouraged; Germantown United CDC can assist with outreach to potential partners.

The duration of the displays will be determined in part by the each participating business or property owner.

Got questions?

Contact GU’s SAP Project Lead:
Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager

Germantown United CDC
5219 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Email: [email protected]
Office: 215-856-4303
www.germantownunitedcdc.org


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This grant is supported by PNC Charitable Trusts, which manages the Rowell Family Foundation.

First Look at New Neighborhood Website for Germantown

GermantownUnited-PunkAve-homepage-draft for publicGermantown United CDC is excited to share the design drafts for the long-awaited online business directory and neighborhood website for Germantown, launching in early 2016.

GUCDC received a grant from the Philadelphia Commerce Department to develop the website, which will promote the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors by formally connecting businesses throughout the corridor and raising awareness and support in the community.

The new website will feature:

  • Business Directory will promote Germantown as a great place to shop and visit, and encourage future investment and revitalization of the commercial corridor; local businesses will have the opportunity to customize their listings!
  • Suggested Itineraries will guide residents and visitors to points of interest in the neighborhood and highlight nearby shops and places to eat within walking distance from these sites.
  • Events Calendar will provide a calendar feature for posting of community events and meetings.
  • Resources for Residents & Businesses will include information specific to businesses, and address the needs of community residents.
  • Maps will highlight destinations that may not be well-known currently in Germantown.

Participants at GU's website workshop helped to guide the look and feel of the site.
Participants at GU’s website workshop helped to guide the look and feel of the site.

The Philadelphia-based website development company P’unk Avenue was selected as the firm to assist in building the website.

As part of the research process, the development team toured Germantown, and interviewed residents, the owners of local businesses, and other stakeholders about amenities, attractions, and businesses in our community, and the potential needs of both residents and tourists when it comes to accessing information online. We also held a small workshop with prospective site users at the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust.

In the coming months, we’ll be working with Germantown businesses and attractions to get them listed in the business directory. If you have questions, or would like your business listed on Germantown’s new website, contact us.

Design Mockups of This Is Germantown

Please note, this is not the final design of the website. The text and photography included in these mockups may not appear on the final website; the images/text were used to help inform the design process and are placeholders for final images and text. We are looking forward to working with local photographers to source photos for the website and businesses & organizations to create original copy that is reflective of each individual business or organization.

(click to enlarge images or view in a separate window)

draft of the homepage

GermantownUnited-PunkAve-homepage-draft for public

an example of how featured events & neighborhood news will be highlighted

GermantownUnited-PunkAve-events-draft fo public

draft of the business directory section

GermantownUnited-PunkAve-draft for public

an example of how neighborhood itineraries will be featured – community members will have the opportunity to suggest an itinerary!GermantownUnited-PunkAve-itineraries-draft for public

Three questions with Karen Singer, Germantown business owner and tile maker

Karen-Singer-1Longtime Germantown business owner and artist Karen Singer is building on her series of tiles picturing iconic Germantown buildings.

This year’s collectible tile features the historic YWCA building. Germantown United CDC commissioned Singer to create a custom tile as a thank you gift for donors to We Are Germantown, the organization’s annual fundraising campaign (read about the campaign and become a contributor). The first tile in the series featured the Germantown Town Hall. All of the tiles were made at her studio, Karen Singer Tileworks, which is located at 90 E. Church Lane (at the corner of Church and Lena Streets).

We asked Singer three questions about her business and the tile-making process.

What attracted you to the historic YWCA building, which is the focus of your tile this year?

Karen Singer: My plan with the GUCDC Development Committee has been to highlight a Germantown building that has been prominent this year. Thus, last year, we did the Germantown Town Hall, and this year the YWCA. The idea is to continue the series to form a set of collector’s items.

Karen-Singer-YWCA-Draft1

What kinds of tile making techniques are you using to render the facade in clay form?

KS: I am sculpting the original tile in low relief – a combination of building up the surface and pressing into the surface. We then made a plaster mold. We pressed a series of terra cotta tiles off the mold and bisque fired them. I will be sending photos of the bisqued tiles by separate email. We then glazed them with a white glaze, which was painted into the lines and crevices, and then sponged off, to give the tile a stronger contrast, and to mimic the look of mortar between bricks.

How long have you been working in Germantown and where can people see and buy your work?

KS: I started my business in Germantown in 1991, and will be celebrating 25 years in business in 2016. We are a very small staff – only 3 of us at present. Our primary clientele are non-profit organizations. We specialize in large scale ceramic murals designed to create a portrait of each client organization’s mission. We also do custom awards, gifts and naming plaques. We are a great resource for people looking for something that you can’t find commercially made.

The studio is located at 90 E. Church Lane (at the corner of Church and Lena Streets) in a building that has many other artists’ studios. We have tiles available for sale in the studio, which is open by chance or by appointment (best option is to call us at 215-849-7010 before coming by). We tend to be here during normal business hours, 9–5 M-F. In addition, I have a limited amount of work for sale at the Mt. Airy Art Garage.

We also offer tile workshops and parties, either at the studio or at another location. We do these as team-building workshops, birthday parties, girls’ night out events, etc. I particularly love working with people who are convinced they “cannot” make art. I love helping them discover that they can, and that it can be really enjoyable.

Visit karensinger.com to learn more. 

The historic YWCA building at 5820-24 Germantown Avenue. Photo taken on December 9, 2015 by Emaleigh Doley. Stabilization and weatherization work is currently underway at the site to prevent the building from any further structural deterioration. This work will also help to make the property more marketable, and aid in stabilizing the commercial corridor. The Redevelopment Authority is expected to reissue the Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the building.

Above: The historic YWCA building at 5820-24 Germantown Avenue. Photo taken on December 9, 2015 by Emaleigh Doley. Stabilization and weatherization work is currently underway at the site to prevent the building from any further structural deterioration. This work will also help to make the property more marketable, and aid in stabilizing the commercial corridor. The Redevelopment Authority is expected to reissue a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the building.

Karen-Singer-PC113775

Above: The YWCA tile at bisque stage.

view more images – click to enlarge

Seven Grassroots Community Improvement Projects Awarded “Fund for Germantown” Micro-grants by Germantown United CDC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA (October 1, 2015): Germantown United CDC is proud to announce the next round of grantees for the Fund for Germantown, the organization’s micro-grant program supporting community-driven beautification projects in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood.

Since the program launched, 17 micro-grants have been awarded, with funds supporting a wide range of projects from greening to murals, neighborhood bulletin boards, cleanups and other community-building activities.

Through generous seed-funding by local real estate developers Howard Treatman and Ken Weinstein, Germantown United CDC distributes small grants ranging from $100 to $1000 to local organizations, civic associations, businesses, and individuals seeking to beautify the Germantown neighborhood. The grant program is part of Germantown United CDC’s ongoing efforts to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development.

The focus of the Fund for Germantown is to support projects that will have an immediate physical impact on the neighborhood. The fund provides grants for physical improvements across Germantown including, but not limited to, landscaping, signage, painting, reclaiming empty lots, and waste removal.

In October, the Germantown Artists Roundtable celebrated the installation of a new arts-focused community message board at the Chelten Avenue SEPTA station, located on Chelten Ave between Pulaski Ave and Morris St. The thematic board, created by the Artists Roundtable, is a Fund for Germantown project, supported by Germantown United CDC. Pictured: Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager, Germantown United CDC, and Paula Paul, Germantown Artists Roundtable.
In October, the Germantown Artists Roundtable celebrated the installation of a new arts-focused community message board at the Chelten Avenue SEPTA station, located on Chelten Ave between Pulaski Ave and Morris St. The thematic board, created by the Artists Roundtable, is a Fund for Germantown project, supported by Germantown United CDC. Pictured: Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager, Germantown United CDC, and Paula Paul, Germantown Artists Roundtable.

The latest Fund for Germantown winning projects ideas are:

  • Artist and photographer Tieshka Smith will launch the Peaceful Places public signage project in Germantown’s storied Penn-Knox neighborhood, next to the Central Germantown business corridor
  • Fitler Academics Plus, a public elementary school in Germantown serving students in grades one through eight located at 140 W Seymour St (at Knox St) will paint ground murals and organized games in the school’s playground
  • West Central Germantown Neighbors civic association will enhance their community orchard and garden project at the Tulpehocken Train Station, a SEPTA Regional Rail station at 333 W Tulpehocken St (off Walnut Ln and Wayne Ave)
  • Support to sustain the ongoing streetscape beautification efforts of Men Who Care of Germantown around their headquarters at 180 East Tulpehocken St (at Morton St)
  • The Imperfect Gallery will install an interactive sidewalk mural outside of the gallery and community space at 5601 Greene St, adjacent to the Maplewood Mall pedestrian plaza and shopping corridor
  • Freedom Gardens, a project by Germantown resident Susan Guggenheim, will connect local gardeners who would like to share their crop free of charge with Germantown residents looking to improve their diets with home-grown produce; Freedom Gardens will be identified by lawn signs and online via Google Maps
  • Support to sustain Chew-Belfield Neighbors Club’s ongoing cleaning and beautification projects in East Germantown

“We are excited to support these small projects that have a big impact”, says funder Ken Weinstein. “These kinds of initiatives are exactly what we had in mind when we envisioned the Fund for Germantown”, said Howard Treatman. “It’s been great to see how Germantown United has been able to empower the community and leverage grassroots efforts.”

This is the third round of giving for the Fund for Germantown, which launched in the summer of 2014 and features two grant cycles per calendar year. The deadline for the next Fund for Germantown grant cycle is December 31, 2015. Funding guidelines may be found on Germantown United’s website at www.germantownunitedcdc.org. To request an application, email [email protected].

ABOUT

Germantown United Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)3 organization that was created to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven  approach to economic development. Founded in 2011, Germantown United CDC’s focus is to work with residents, businesses and community organizations to create an inspirational vision of Germantown’s business corridors and surrounding neighborhoods, create innovative case studies and sustainable business models to attract green-oriented developers, and recruit forward-thinking investors committed to fostering sustainable economic growth and development for all Germantown residents.

Re-imagining Maplewood Mall Festival, a “Germantown Renaissance” is Saturday, May 30th

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA (May 13, 2015) The 3rd annual spring Re-imagine Maplewood Mall Festival will take place on Maplewood Mall (between Germantown Avenue and Greene Streets) on Saturday, May 30th (rain date June 6th), from 12pm to 5:00pm. This free event will offer live music, fo
od from restaurants in and around the Mall (Flower Café, K&J Caribbean, and Little Jimmies), locally made arts and crafts vendors, and entertainment for children. This year’s festival features a solid musical lineup, with a special performance by Kùlú Mèlé African Dance and Drum Ensemble, one of the City’s oldest and most well-regarded dance companies.

Building on the immense successes of the last three Re-imagining Maplewood Mall Festivals, Germantown United CDC is working with community stakeholders and local businesses to host this year’s Festival.  Last year’s event drew hundreds of local residents, showcasing local talent and providing free family-friendly activities. The year’s event theme, “Germantown Renaissance”, is an opportunity to re-imagine Germantown, and Maplewood Mall, as an epicenter for creativity, music, food, literature, poetry and art.

“We want to not only showcase the brilliance of our own community”, said Germantown United CDC Executive Director Andy Trackman, “but demonstrate to Philadelphia that Germantown is a gathering place for the cutting edge in art and culture.”

In addition to Kulu Mele, the musical lineup also includes:

Jim Dragoni, a composer, guitarist and teacher with performance areas in blues, jazz and his own fiery original brand of hybridized cross genre art-music.

Bethlehem and Sad Patrick a vocal and guitar duo who specialize in songs of love, love lost, and love that would be better off lost. The duo recently released their first full-length CD, Did You  Ever Do?

Live from NYC DreamWolf viaawQward talent – Jendog Lonewolf & Yalini Dream joined  forces in 2011 to commemorate lives lost to police brutality. Rooted in ending the full     continuum of violence and exploitation from the intimate to the global, from the street to the  state, DreamWolf invokes a masterful collision of Hip Hop, poetry, theater & dance in their  collaborative work, Above Street Level.

Rhenda Fearrington a Philadelphia jazz legend. She delivers an authentic and warm presentation of Jazz standards mixed with Soulful originals. This well established jazz vocalist has a history of working with artists such as Roberta Flack and MTUME and kicked off the 2014 Center City Jazz Festival.

Yolanda Wisher & The Quick Fixx the group features Germantown born and Philadelphia- based poet, singer, musician, and educator Yolanda Wisher

The Re-imagining Maplewood Mall Festivals started in 2013 as an open-air café/block party,  and to engage with residents to re‐imagine what the Maplewood Mall could be: a space for families and neighbors to enjoy a nice afternoon out in Germantown. Since then, the event has grown to become an annual much-anticipated community festival.

“These festivals are an opportunity to bring the entire Germantown community together and support our locally based economy while helping to create the vibrancy that once used to exist in Germantown’s commercial district”, said Germantown United CDC Board President Garlen Capita. “Since the festivals started we have had a number of people recall their fond memories of shopping in Maplewood Mall. It is our hope that we can again make our corridors vibrant community spaces. ”

“Re-imagining Maplewood Mall is a labor of love and a chance for the community to show up and show out for each other. It is a true display of Germantown at its best and a reflection of how much this community cares”, said Event Coordinator Amelia Carter.

“The festival embodies our hopes and dreams for Maplewood Mall so get ready for a great day of fun and good food”, said Linda Samuel, owner of the Flower Café at Linda’s. “Our famous veggie burgers are just one of the many reasons to make it to the Re-imagining Maplewood Mall festival!”

Support for the event comes in part from this year’s sponsors: Philly Office Retail, Harvest Equities, Post Brothers Apartments, Loretta Witt at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Jeff King, The King Agency Inc., Allstate Insurance Co., and Germantown Friends School.

For more information about the Re-imagining Maplewood Mall Festival, and vending table registration please contact [email protected] or 215-856-4303.

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is a three year-old community development corporation that is rapidly gaining momentum and building trust in the Germantown community over its short life. GUCDC’s mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. With the help of a new full-time Corridor Manager and host of volunteers, GUCDC is working to promote local businesses via an online business directory through a grant from the City’s Commerce Department; hosting bi-monthly Business Info Sessions to connect existing businesses to resources; cross promoting the businesses with the 16 designated historic sites in Germantown by partnering with Historic Germantown to promote their Second Saturday program; launching a Storefront Activation program and Street Tree planting program with a number of local partners.

Founded in 2011, Germantown United CDC’s focus is to work with residents, businesses and community organizations to create an inspirational vision of Germantown’s Business Corridors and surrounding neighborhoods, create innovative case studies and sustainable business models to attract green-oriented developers, and recruit forward-thinking investors to Germantown committed to fostering sustainable economic growth and development.  www.germantownunitedcdc.org.

We are Germantown: We are Creative


Creativity is part of Germantown United’s mission. Over 1000 artists live and/or work in Germantown. Their cultural contribution to the community is widely known, but their economic contribution as independent businesses and entrepreneurs is equally important. Through programs like Stone Soup Saturdays, the Fund for Germantown and our new Storefront Activation Program, Germantown United gives Germantown artists the opportunity to work in the neighborhood.        Photo of Susan by Gary Reed

Stone Soup

STONE SOUP; a cross cultural folk tale about collaboration In the story, villagers learn that when everyone contributes just a little of what they have, a greater good is achieved for all.

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) presents STONE SOUP SATURDAYS, a resident-driven series of beautification projects to be completed in 2014. GUCDC will award grants to Germantown artists, gardeners and creative citizens for the implementation of projects designed to beautify and enliven a handful of key locations. This program was made possible by a grant from the Samuel Fels Fund; grants of up to $1500 will be awarded. Priority will be given to projects that have the potential to foster community ownershipSTONE_SOUP_LOGO and build a framework for future enhancements to take place at the project sites. The beautification project locations identified by GUCDC are:

• Unit block of West Rockland Street-vacant lot
• Unit block of West Haines Street (garden space on south side of Germantown Town Hall)
• The wall at the southwest corner of Chelten and Greene (Bus stop at Greene and Chelten, traveling southbound)
• 5722 Greene Street (parking lot entryway of the Germantown Life Enrichment Center)

GUCDC is looking for ideas with the potential to do the following:
• Create a catalyst for future beautification and development in the neighborhood
• Foster community ownership of public spaces and increase community pride
• Attract new businesses to move into vacancies
• Attract more shoppers to the area as to increase business revenue on the Avenue

Deadline for submission is June 7 2014. To request an application, or for questions, please contact GUCDC directly at [email protected]

Winning designs will be on display at GUCDC’s table at the Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2014.

Germantown’s Park(ing) Day features mini-parks, poetry, drums and supermarket talk

BY ALAINA MABASO FOR NEWSWORKS

Sept 23

Nothing daunts the poets in Germantown where, for a second consecutive year, one parking spot wasn’t nearly enough space for the Artists Roundtable to celebrate Park(ing) Day.

Friday’s festivities took over the sidewalk and an empty storefront’s grate as a proud crop of local writers read their work aloud despite the mid-afternoon racket of Chelten Avenue traffic.

For this year’s annual celebration of the possibilities of parking spaces — from mini-parks to the art exhibitions and beyond — the Roundtable and Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) each claimed spots on the Chelten Avenue business corridor near Greene Street. Philadelphia University shared some space with G-Town Radio a few blocks north of that.

Roundtable festivities

An African drumming circle at the Roundtable’s space drew nearly 30 people in the early afternoon.

There, multimedia work from local artists Tieshka Smith, Susan Mangan, Terisita Stidem, Jill Saull, Gary Reed, Ife Iwoo, Adrienne Morrison and Rocio Cabello decorated every available space.

Roundtable organizer Paula Paul said she appreciated the generosity of artists who trusted their work to the public outdoor setting.

The poetry readers had a respectable audience despite many necessary pauses while SEPTA buses rumbled past.

“The keys in this pocket lead to Germantown,” poet Nzadi Keita read in a literary tribute to the neighborhood’s racially diverse residents that also touched on the region’s economic troubles. “Checks and food stamps cost a day of day of waiting.”

YahNe Ndgo,  a writer and Friends of Vernon Park leader, read from her story titled “Five Minutes,” an unflinching look at the experience of abortion “at my request and his insistence.”

“Hopefully, the human element will transcend the subject matter, no matter how you relate to it,” she said, prefacing the work.

Art in the streets

The parking space itself was given over to “Broadway Boogie,” a street installation by iMPeRFeCT Gallery co-owner Renny Molenaar featuring salvaged car mufflers and tailpipes stitched tight into luxurious corduroy, lace and velvet covers.

“I’m a garbage guy,” Molenaar said when NewsWorks caught up with him at his Maplewood Mall gallery.

He said he was squatting in the South Bronx years ago when a big truck pulled up and dumped a load of “couture” fabrics right on the street.

“I thought, I can do something with this,” he said of Broadway Boogie’s inspiration.

On a whim, he began to stitch the fancy fabrics over the rusty car parts.

“It totally became sensual; they became like a body,” he said of how the metal objects were transformed by the cloth.

The one-day park

Two blocks north, Germantown Park(ing) Day organizer Megan Fitzpatrick, GUCDC board members Andy Trackman and Yvonne Haskins and others turned a parking spot into a woodsy garden.

Paved with wood chips, the spot featured potted plants sprouting from hollowed tree-trunk pieces and colorful repurposed wood pallets housing more blooms.

The GUCDC was also promoting the Re-Imagining Maplewood Mall event, scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 19.

After an online crowd funded a shoestring budget for last June’s block party, photographer and event planner Gary Reed said that GUDCD has secured a $5,000 grant from Urban Mechanics toward the upcoming festival.

GUCDC is seeking arts-and-crafts vendors and live performers to participate in the festivities, which will also feature goodies from local restaurants.

For more information on participating as an artist, vendor or performer, e-mail[email protected]. GUCDC leader Garlen Capita is also looking for more volunteers for the event; anyone interested in lending a hand should visit the organization’s website or e-mail [email protected].

Pathmark reaches out

GUCDC’s Haskins also told passersby about an upcoming meeting regarding the future of the Germantown Pathmark grocery store.

She said she hopes the meeting — scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Flying Horse Center’s Pegasus Room (5534 Pulaski Ave.) — will raise concerns about the appearance of the market’s parking lot and adjacent sidewalks, and the many habitual loiterers who often contribute to an unpleasant, sometimes-threatening environment.

“The fact that he asked for this meeting is exciting,” Haskins said of the store’s new manager, Jeff Kelly.

“We want to get the word out that Pathmark has a new manager who is receptive to community concerns,” she added, urging community members to attend with questions, suggestions and an appreciation for Kelly’s positive gesture.

PARKing Day 2013

Germantown Park(ing) Day to bring the arts and forward-thinking students to Chelten Ave. on Friday

September 18, 2013

By Alaina Mabaso for NewsWorks, @AlainaMabaso

As SEPTA offers up a possible “doomsday” plan that would eliminate nine of its 13 regional rail lines in the next 10 years, threatening to send 40 million riders back to their cars, some Northwest Philadelphians are still imagining a future of repurposed parking spaces.
Along West Chelten Avenue on Friday, the Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC), the Germantown Artists Roundtable and Philadelphia University will celebrate Park(ing) Day, an annual worldwide event dedicated to transforming cities’ metered spaces from parking spots into public mini-parks.

Artists, activists and eco-entrepreneurs worldwide use Park(ing) Day to share their message with the public and imagine something other than asphalt covering the world’s parking lots. Locally, there are more than 40 locations beyond Germantown, viewable on this interactive map.

Imagining a different world

“We’re going to be making our spot into a little outdoor park,” GUCDC Park(ing) Day organizer Megan Fitzpatrick told NewsWorks this week. “What would happen to the spots if more citizens used public transit, and didn’t depend on cars so much?”

GUCDC members will talk to locals about the fate of the old Germantown Town Hall. They will also pass out menus from nearby cafes in an effort to promote local dining.

A trip to a Fairmount Park recycling center netted the planners a large cherry tree trunk that they hollowed out and cut into planters.

With some pallets donated from Killian’s Hardware of Chestnut Hill, these are becoming a vertical garden with the help of GUCDC board member Sarah Endriss’ Philadelphia University landscape-architecture students.

“After Park(ing) Day is over, we’re going to march these little planters and little garden installations over to Maplewood Mall, to beautify the space in preparation for the Re-Imagining Maplewood MallFestival in October,” Fitzpatrick said.

Arts in the parking mix

Germantown Artists Roundtable organizer Paula Paul is helping spearhead that group’s (Park)ing Day spot at Chelten Avenue and Greene St., modeling it after their successful street-arts extravaganza last year.

“The highlight is an attempt to pull from each of the arts: Visual, performing and literary, and somehow transform a parking spot for a day into a place where all those things can happen at once,” Paul said.

The day will include an outdoor art salon, with a special street installation from iMPeRFeCT Gallery co-founder Renny Molenaar.

The window grate of the deserted store behind the parking spot will become an impromptu gallery, including a photo display from Germantown photographer Tieshka Smith and a showcase of this summer’s “Photographing Germantown’s Human Assets” project. African drummers, a poetry circle and a yarn-bombing will round out the day.

Germantown in 3D

Philadelphia University will also have its own Chelten Avenue spot.

Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture Kim Douglas said it is an opportunity for students to prepare for a studio-course project focused on Germantown revitalization.

Fifth-year landscape-architecture and architecture students, along with masters’ students in GeoDesign, are developing a virtual 3D “ecodistrict framework plan” for the Germantown business corridor. Students will be on the scene to get community input on Park(ing) Day.

“The students will set up easels and pads and chalk on the parking area to record what the community envisions, so we hope people will stop by to talk, draw and record their dreams,” Douglas explained.

The Germantown spots will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday along Chelten Avenue between Germantown Ave. and Greene St

Re-Imagine Maplewood Mall Fundraiser

On October 19, with your help, Maplewood Mall becomes a block party and craft fair Fall Celebration for the whole community

The residents, businesses, and friends of Maplewood Mall invite you to Re-imagine Maplewood Mall in the Fall. Our June 22 night cafe and block party was so successful, thanks to all of our donors and supporters. We showed how Maplewood Mall could be a thriving place to shop and socialize. We want to keep the momentum going! On Saturday, October 19 we’ll turn the mall into open air cafe/block party for the entire family. This free event will offer live music, food to purchase and some type of entertainment for children. This time, we will host artists and craftspeople to set up their tables. A perfect time to do some early holiday shopping! It will run from mid-morning to late afternoon. Our mission is twofold. We want to create a space for families and neighbors to enjoy a nice afternoon out in Germantown. We also want to engage with residents to re-imagine what the Maplewood Mall could be, and continue the momentum from our June 22 event. To make this event truly successful we are asking you to help with a modest donation. A lot of people have stepped forward to freely give their time and energy for this event. The reality is we still need to raise some money to pay for necessities. We are recommending a $25 donation but any size gift will will be greatly appreciated. Support us today and be sure to join us on October 19. Thank you.

At Maplewood Mall block party, opinions vary about upcoming $2.2 million redesign

At Maplewood Mall block party, opinions vary about upcoming $2.2 million redesign (via NewsWorks)

June 25, 2013 By Alaina Mabaso for NewsWorks, @AlainaMabaso “Everybody has a different take. People who have been here longer are jaded. I can understand why people do stop believing.” –Rocio Cabello, co-founder, iMPeRFeCT Gallery”What I’d like to…

(more…)

Re-Imagine Maplewood Mall

On June 22 we’ll turn Maplewood Mall into a Night Café and Block Party. We welcome the community to bring energy and ideas to the Mall!

G-town Radio, Germantown United CDC, businesses, and friends of Maplewood Mall invite you to re-imagine Maplewood Mall as a thriving place to shop and socialize. On Saturday, June 22 we’ll turn the mall into open air cafe/block party for the entire family. This free event will offer live music, food to purchase and some type of entertainment for children. It will run from 4pm to 8:30pm. Our mission is two-fold. We want to create a space for families and neighbors to enjoy a nice night out in Germantown. We also want to engage with residents to re-imagine what the Maplewood Mall could be. Displays will be set up featuring plans for a mall re-design. Attendees will be asked what types of businesses, activities or improvements they would like to see. To emphasize the theme of re-imagining we are working with several local artists to transform what we see and how we think about the space. The festive environment will create an atmosphere not seen in Maplewood Mall for a very long time.

Maplewood Mall Welcomes Stylish Bigbelly Trash Can Units

Exciting news! Maplewood Mall’s brand-new, state-of-the-art BigBelly high capacity trash can units have arrived and are ready to tackle our waste management needs. Positioned strategically at both ends of the mall – within the Germantown Ave/Armat plaza and curbside at Greene St/Armat – these units combine functionality with a touch of artistic flair to the mall’s surroundings.

Thanks to the creative brilliance of Oluwafemi (@olwfm), these trash can units transcend mere utility and transform into eye-catching pieces of urban art.

A Collaborative Effort

Thanks to the Philadelphia Department of Commerce and the Streets Department for providing the necessary resources to make this addition a reality. Their support underscores the importance of community collaboration in building a more sustainable and visually appealing urban environment.

Further kudos are due to the dedicated members of Germantown United’s corridor cleaning and beautification dream team, who provide services in the Central Germantown Commercial Corridor: Ready, Willing & Able, Depaul USA Philadelphia, Candice Price Garden Design, and Friends of Germantown NW.

Collectively, these efforts are paving the way for a cleaner, more beautiful Germantown.

Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, July 8, 2017, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Facebook-Cover-Photo-Germantown-Festival

Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Eat, Shop, Play, Learn & Experience Germantown!
Presented by Historic Germantown & Germantown United CDC

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA – The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The festival will take place along a one-block stretch of Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane and Coulter Street, and surround Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue). Rain or shine. (Event rescheduled from previous date of May 13 due to weather.)

The community festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation, invites the public to experience Germantown. The festival celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

Scenes from the 2016 Germantown Second Saturday Festival.

Performance

Throughout the day, musicians, poets, and creative performing artists will take to the main stage on Germantown Avenue.

The headlining performance by The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble will close out the event with an hour-long show. The troupe is sensational and electrifying, and features amazing stilt walkers, dancers, drummers, and ground masquerades with an exciting acrobatic performance. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble represents the beauty of African culture and is considered one of the best of its kind by scholars and African Djelis (historians).

Musical talent includes popular local artists: Danie Ocean BandJim and Andrew Dragoni, and many others. Germantown resident Yolanda Wisher, the City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, will host the festivities.

Pictured: 1. Yolanda Wisher, City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate
(Photo by Jill Saull); 2. & 3. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble; 4. Jim Dragoni; 5. Twin Poets Nnamdi Chukwuocha & Albert Mills (Photo by Cylinda McCloud-Keal); 6. Wissahickon Dance School (Photo by Jill Saull).

Thank You to Our Amazing Lineup!

  • Yolanda Wisher, Host, City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate
  • Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Headliner
  • Danie Ocean and Band (neo soul singer/songwriter)
  • Jim and Andrew Dragoni (guitar & percussion organ)
  • The Twin Poets (Nnamdi Chukwuocha & Albert Mills, Delaware’s Poet Laureate)
  • Wissahickon Dance Academy (dance performance)
  • Karen Smith and Friends (percussionist)
  • The Tia McNeil Band (R&B)
  • The Kama-Sahlor Group (hip/hop & modern inspirational dance)
  • Bria Jordan (youth poet)
  • And more!

Family Fun

The family-friendly Festival will also feature a Kid Zone with moon bounce, face painting, and many art-fueled interactive activities. The Germantown Artists Roundtable will invite festival-goers to create a work of art they can take home at the Imagination Station. The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Techmobile will be on-site with books and lots of learning opportunities.

History

Visitors will learn about Historic Germantown’s 16 extraordinary historic houses, destinations, and museums, including Awbury Arboretum, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Grumblethrope, and Wyck.

The two sites located within the festival grounds, the Germantown Historical Society and Deshler-Morris House (The Germantown Whitehouse), will be open for tours. At the Historical Society, visitors can view the Elephants on the Avenue Gallery Show featuring work by Sonia Sanchez, Barbara Bullock, Benjamin Volta, Yolanda Wisher, Diane Pieri, Ife Nii Owoo and local community members. Learn more at freedomsbackyard.com.

PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON lived here twice, to seek refuge from the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia and as a summer retreat for the First Family in 1794. This National Park Service site also interprets over three centuries of Germantown history, the 1777 Battle of Germantown and former owners of this historic house, including the Morris family.

Eat + Shop

Over 25 vendors will participate in the Art & Craft Vendor Marketplace, coordinated by Germantown United CDC. Local eateries and visiting food trucks including Uptown BBQ Grill, Sweet Lavender, Hardy Funnel Cakes, and The Lunchbox will be serving up good eats. Attendees can also get to know many of Germantown’s civic and community organizations, including Friends of Vernon Park, Germantown Life Enrichment Center, and others.

This is the second year Germantown United CDC and Historic Germantown have partnered on the Festival to bring renewed attention and interest to a little-used neighborhood park and public space, and kick-off Historic Germantown’s monthly Second Saturday series.

The festival will be held rain or shine!

Festival Parking, Public Transit, and Road Closures

The festival is accessible by SEPTA. Bus Routes: 23 Bus, XH Bus; Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail: Germantown Station (150 E Chelten Ave). Visit http://www.septa.org for schedules.

Street parking is available near the festival grounds.

Limited free off-street parking is also available. Festival parking is permissible at the Citizens Bank Lot at 5500 Germantown Ave (enter from W School House Ln).

Road closures: Germantown Avenue between School House Lane & Coulter Street, and the unit block of E Church Lane will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m.  – 7 p.m.

About

Historic Germantown
Historic Germantown is a partnership organization serving historic sites in Philadelphia’s Old German Township that works collaboratively to preserve its extraordinary historic assets, increase access, interpret them to the public and raise their visibility. Learn more at freedomsbackyard.com.

Germantown United CDC
The mission of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business corridors in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Learn more at http://germantownunitedcdc.org.

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Press Contacts

To request interviews and high-resolution photos, please contact:

Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager, Germantown United CDC
215-856-4303, [email protected]  

Trapeta MaysonExecutive Director, Historic Germantown
215-844-1683, Ext. 101, [email protected]


Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Germantown Special Services District
Kurtz Construction Company
Univest
Germantown Friends School
Nolan Painting
Germantown United CDC is receives year-round support by:
Philly Office Retail, Post Brothers Apartments, Harvest Equities, Bracken Leadership, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Berkshire Hathahway-Lorretta Witt, Pik-A-Panel True Value Hardware,  Germantown Friends School, David Hamme, and the Drumcliff Foundation. Thanks also to PNC Regional Foundation, Allen Hilles Fund, 1772 Foundation, Philadelphia Activities Fund, Wells Fargo Corporate Foundation, Key Bank, and City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce

Save the Date: Germantown Second Saturday Festival is May 13

The third annual Germantown Second Saturday Festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC, will be held at Market Square Park on Saturday, May 13, 2017. We will be seeking performers, vendors and community organizations to table at the event.

More information will be posted at germantownunitedcdc.org as it becomes available. Got questions? Email [email protected] today.