September 2023
News + Updates
ESI offers its deepest condolences to the Temple University community and family of JoAnne Epps, who passed away on September 19th of this year.

Epps was appointed the acting President of Temple University earlier this year. She previously served as Dean of Temple Law School, as well as Provost and Executive Vice President of Temple University.
Highlights
Understand the Most Recent Changes to the RACP Grant Application Process
The Commonwealth has recently announced improvements to the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to provide a more efficient, effective, and transparent process for grant awardees. These changes represent the first significant changes to the process in almost a decade and will make the program a grantee-friendly experience that will result in projects and project payments being completed in a more efficient and effective manner.

ESI can help you submit your application for RACP funding. We have worked with nonprofits, private developers, corporations, municipalities, and public-private partnerships for first-time and re-submissions for RACP funding. We are ready to support you in navigating eligibility requirements and the electronic application.

Click here to learn more.
Events
ESI and CHPlanning recently celebrated PARK(ing) Day! The number of parks throughout Philadelphia increases dramatically each year on the third Friday in September when activists, artists, architects, and other citizens transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks. This annual event reevaluates the possibilities of 160 square feet of public space. The goal being to raise awareness towards the need for more pedestrian-friendly, green spaces within urban areas.
The 2023 Nucleus Awards return on September 26, from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. The annual event recognizes and honors the region's leaders involved with innovation and visionaries who are commercializing technology, allocating capital, convening the community, and cultivating the STEM workforce.

Read more about it here.
ESI Senior Vice President and Principal, Gina Lavery, will be presenting at the AURP 2023 International Conference in a panel session titled, 'The Past Present, and Future of STEM'. The session will examine critical strategies to catalyze inclusive commercialization, ways to foster sustainable talent pipelines, and emerging trends taking hold at innovation districts across the nation.

Panelists include:

  • Katie Nash, Senior Director, External Affairs, University City Science Center
  • Tom Osha, Executive Vice President, Wexford Sience + Technology
  • Steve Wray, Executive Director, Block Center for Technology and Society, Carnegie Mellon University
ESI Vice President Frank Robinson and Associate Director Steve Madsen attended Economic Development Progress in York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg, presented by ULI Philadelphia Central Pennsylvania Council. The mayors of Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg discussed the economic development future of their respective cities.
Staff and Senior Advisor Updates
‌
ESI is pleased to welcome Odinaka ("N.K.") Ezeobele to the firm as an associate director. N.K. is passionate about building cross-sector partnerships to enable clients to make sound investment decisions with sustainable outcomes. Before ESI, N.K. worked in audit, management consulting, and transactions advisory.
ESI also welcomes Brian Licari to the team as a director. Brian's career background and interests are in analyzing, developing, and implementing economic development and community revitalization strategies ranging in scale from the grassroots neighborhood level to regional business development efforts.
Congratulations to Senior Advisor Geoffrey Roche for being named a Top Voice on LinkedIn. Community Top Voices are noteworthy contributors who show expertise in a specific skill or skills as determined by their contributions to collaborative articles.
Senior Advisor Sylvie Gallier Howard recently co-authored a report on how city leaders implement programs and policies to reduce greenhouse emissions and ensure communities at greatest risk of climate change impacts are protected. The report was produced in partnership with C40.
Senior Advisor Eric Stern has joined Tactix Real Estate advisors and will team up with several former law firm partners there to represent tenants in lease negotiations.

Stern served as real estate chair at Morgan Lewis & Bockius and between 2005 and 2021, served as head or co-head of the firm's real estate practice.
Senior Advisor Joyce Lee was featured in an interview with the Philadelphia Environmental Justice Advisory Commission

Read more here.
‌
Continuing our research in developing a climate resilience index, we have further refined our methodology to gauge nine cities on their sustainability and progress in adopting eco-friendly practices. This index is comprised of 30 metrics across four categories (Environment, Economy, Infrastructure, and Social) and pulls from a wide range of data to evaluate each city's performance.

Read more here.

U.S. - China Research
Not Shedding Common Responsibility to Deal with Climate Issue

The G20 declaration in India last week looked to pursue certainty in the current uncertain global context. Worldwide, state governors have been aware of the significant challenges associated with inflation, unemployment, and social isolation caused by social media. The climate crisis has also raised anxiety and exacerbated sentiment, which is turning into a top priority of all parties.

Read more here.
Present Value
Is the Commonwealth Positioning Itself to Move up the Ladder of Economic Competitiveness?
by Frank Robinson
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently announced improvements to a key economic development program, the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Among other efficiencies, the Commonwealth has streamlined the application process by replacing the 22-tab Application & Business Plan with a more efficient, 10-section fillable Project Management Proposal post-award application process.

Lessons from Philadelphia's Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park
by Atara Saunders
Philadelphia has a deep and rich food tradition. Home to internationally recognized restaurants (see Visit Philadelphia's list of Philadelphia's James Beard Foundation's honored restaurants), and local eats that have grown cult followings, the city is consistently recognized as an unexpected culinary center of America. Recently, Food & Wine named FDR Park's Southeast Asian Market, one of the best in the nation.

The Exit Interview: Final Thoughts from our Summer 2023 Interns
by Norah Serverson
As the summer winds down, ESI must say goodbye to our skilled and diligent interns. Before they depart, whether back to school or for other career opportunities, we sat down with several of them to discuss their time with the firm, reflect on their experience, and offer final thoughts on what was learned.

Atlanta's Quest for Homeownership: The Alarming Affordable Housing Crisis
by Patrick Darcy and Samriddhi Khare
Throughout American history, homeownership has been cherished as a symbol of wealth, community, and achievement. Additionally, affordable rental units are crucial as they provide stable housing and alleviate financial burden. However, today, the goal of owning a home and even finding affordable housing options is becoming increasingly elusive for millions nationwide.

Client Spotlight
Wexford Science & Technology, Ventas, and the University City Science Center recently celebrated the official opening of One uCity Square with a ribbon cutting and community block party. The 400,000 square foot building, located at 37th & Cuthbert Streets, is the latest addition to the vibrant and growing uCity Square Knowledge Community
Imvax, Inc., announced the initial closing of a $23 million financing round to support their Phase 2b clinical trial of IGC-001 with their patients who are newly diagnosed GBM. The company had also announced the appointment of Stephen Webster to the Imvax Board of Directors!
Free SEPTA passes are now available to Philadelphia City employees and some residents living in poverty, representing a major expansion of SEPTA's Key Advantage program which allows employers to buy transit passes at wholesale price and offer them to employees.
The University of Pennsylvania has been ranked the nation's top choice for a business education, according to new rankings from Niche. In addition to being named America's No. 1 college for business on the company's 2024 Best Colleges List, Penn also ranks No. 7 in the nation both overall and for best value.

Three other Philadelphia-area schools are also among the top 100 institutions in the U.S., with Swarthmore College ranking at No. 33 overall, Villanova at No. 56, and Haverford College at No. 70.
The K&T Trail Extension is now open! This trail is the newest addition to the Riverfront North's planned 11-mile linear network extension of the Kensington and Tacony Trail. This extension will connect with the Delaware River Trail in Central and south Philadelphia.
OIC Philadelphia elects Steven Scott Bradley as Chairman of the Board as organization approaches 60th Anniversary. This transition will bring significance in the organization's commitment to empower individuals through employment opportunities, education, and training.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $12 million in urban and community forestry grants to the Public Health Management Corporation for the implementation of the Philly Tree Plan. Congratulations to PHMC and the City!
Connect with us.