by Jackie Dolopei
October 23, 2026
The Navy Yard community gathered on October 15 to honor Walter D’Alessio, a respected civic and business leader whose decades of service helped shape Philadelphia’s growth and development. During the dedication ceremony attended by his family, colleagues, community partners, and members of the Navy Yard community, Chapel Plaza, one of the campus’s newest public spaces, was dedicated in his memory.
Held in partnership with PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation and master developer and operator of the Navy Yard, and Ensemble Investments LLC (Ensemble), the ceremony recognized Walt’s lasting contributions to the city and his role in the Navy Yard’s transformation.
Walt devoted 44 years of service to PIDC, including 34 years as chairman of its board. He previously served as the organization’s CEO, following more than a decade of service with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. Throughout his distinguished career, he played an important role in some of Philadelphia’s most significant development and revitalization efforts, including the transformation of Society Hill, the development of Independence Mall, and projects across neighborhoods throughout the city.
His impact was also felt at the Navy Yard, where he helped guide the campus’s redevelopment from a former naval base into a growing center for business, industry, and innovation.
“Walt spent 44 years with PIDC and was involved in so many projects across the city. Much of his work included the redevelopment of the Navy Yard, which has become one of PIDCs most significant long-term development efforts,” said Jodie Harris, President, PIDC. “We’re recognizing what he did and that history by placing a memorial here at Chapel Plaza, a place that represents another chapter in the Navy Yard’s ongoing evolution.
A Place to Gather & Connect
Located Next to AVE Normandy, the Navy Yard’s first residential development since the based closed in 1996, Chapel Plaza reflects how the campus is changing. Alongside its established business and industrial communities, the Navy Yard is welcoming new residents and creating more opportunities for people to gather beyond the workday.
The plaza provides a public space for employees, residents, and visitors to connect, while the memorial offers a lasting reminder of the people whose work helped make the Navy Yard what it is today. Its dedication also reflects the importance of partnerships in shaping the campus, from its redevelopment and continued industrial activity to new residential and community spaces.
Celebrating the Navy Yard Community
The dedication also marked the final Third Thursday event of the year, bringing the community together for an evening of live music, food, lawn games, and local vendors at Chapel Plaza.
Launched this year, the Third Thursday series offered a new way for Navy Yard employees, residents, and visitors to spend time on campus outside the workday. The events created opportunities to discover local businesses, enjoy the outdoor spaces, and connect with others across the Navy Yard community.
Pairing the dedication with the season’s final gathering brought together two important parts of the Navy Yard’s ongoing evolution: honoring the people who helped shape its history and creating new opportunities for the community to come together today.
As the Navy Yard continues to grow, Chapel Plaza will serve as both a place for people to connect and a tribute to Wal D’Alessio’s contributions to Philadelphia. His influence remains part of the campus’s story, even as the Navy Yard enters its next chapter.