by Navy Yard
June 22, 2023
Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and his staff hosted a workshop titled “Doing Business with the City” June 21 at The Navy Yard with city-affiliated organizations. The free and open-to-the-public event focused on engaging with minority- and women-owned business enterprises and provide them with resources to better prepare them when it comes to available opportunities to work with city agencies.
Councilmember Johnson’s office aimed to facilitate an open and honest exchange of information among participants. The event served as a platform for sharing insights about ongoing and upcoming projects within the city, allowing local business owners and entrepreneurs to gather knowledge that could be instrumental in expanding their businesses, and making a positive impact on their communities.
The workshop drew more than 30 people, representing a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. Participating organizations included the African American Chamber of Commerce of PA | NJ | DE, SEPTA, Rebuild Philadelphia, The Navy Yard/PIDC, Ensemble/Mosaic (exclusive developer of a 109-acre mixed-use development at the Navy Yard), Philadelphia Office of Economic Opportunity, Philadelphia International Airport, and the School District of Philadelphia.
Each organization stressed the importance of registering businesses as a minority, woman, or disabled-owned enterprises (M/W/DSBEs). Each year, the City aims to reach 35% participation from M/W/DSBEs on its contracts.
Councilmember Johnson’s office hoped that by equipping these individuals with valuable business knowledge, it would not only empower them personally but also contribute to the growth and prosperity of every community within the City.
Equitable Development at the Navy Yard
For the new development at the Navy Yard, PIDC and its development partners, Ensemble/Mosaic (Ensemble/Mosaic is a joint venture between Ensemble Real Estate Investments and Mosaic Development Partners – the company is the exclusive developer of a 109-acre mixed-use development at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, including office, life science, retail, hospitality and the first residential complex to be built in the community), worked together on the 2022 Navy Yard Plan charts the next 20 years of equitable growth at the Navy Yard. This update reflects the successful development of an expanding community of 150 employers and 15,000 workers and builds upon that success with an ambitious but achievable plan for equitable economic growth and the creation of a community to live, work, make, and play.
Each facet of the 2022 Navy Yard Plan has been guided by a set of principles, crafted to create a new standard of equitable development. These principles directly shape a plan for a Navy Yard that is:
- Inclusive and Welcoming,
- Connected and Multimodal, Vibrant and Active,
- Innovative and Resilient, and
- A Place for Equitable Business Growth and Job Creation
Equitable Development Goals
- 45-50% of development, construction, and operations contracts will be awarded to MBE/WBE companies
- 25% of future retail space will be devoted to MBE/WBEs at subsidized rates
- Expansion of the Navy Yard Skills Initiative program to connect unemployed and underemployed Philadelphians with quality jobs at Navy Yard companies
- $1M charitable entity – TNY Empowerment Foundation – created by Ensemble/Mosaic to invest in the professional development of minority- and women-owned firms and the minorities and women who are located in or work at the Navy Yard by providing access to education, job training, capital mentorship, and wealth creation opportunities
- $100,000 – first donation from TNY Empowerment Foundation to the Navy Yard Skills Initiative
- Affordable housing by dedicating 15% of apartments as affordable housing
Expanding transit and driving equity by increasing accessibility for all in and around the Navy Yard