
PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PRODUCE MARKET TO RELOCATE TO ESSINGTON AVENUE
Public/Private partnership will help retain more than 1,400 jobs and create
over 375 new jobs for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, and enable much needed expansion and growth for one of the largest Produce Markets in the United States
PHILADELPHIA, September 4, 2008— Thanks to a public/private
partnership, the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA), the
Philadelphia Regional Produce Market, and Essington Avenue Partners II, a
development affiliate of O’Neill Properties, announced today that the
Produce Market will relocate to Essington Avenue in Philadelphia. This
relocation will retain 1,468 current jobs, create 375 new jobs, and enable
the expansion and strategic growth plans of the Produce Market. “This private public partnership will preserve the Produce Market right
where it belongs – in Philadelphia,” says Pennsylvania Governor Edward G.
Rendell. “Without room for expansion and new, modern facilities, the
Commonwealth risked losing this vital operation, and the vendors faced that
sad reality that they would be forced to break up a South Philadelphia
landmark. Instead, through the concerted efforts of the City, Senator Fumo’
s office, the PRPA, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, and
many individuals, the Produce Market will be able to grow and thrive while
adding 375 new high-paying jobs for working families and millions of dollars
to the local and state economies.”
The total development cost of the project is $218.5 million. The
Commonwealth is releasing $152.5 million to the Philadelphia Regional Port
Authority to support the project, development, and relocation. The
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority will purchase 63 acres, build a 667,000
square foot state-or-the-art distribution facility, and will sign a 40-year
lease enabling the relocation. The Market vendors will repay 100% of the
grants and loans over the life of the 40-year lease.
Without the agreement Philadelphia and Pennsylvania were at risk of losing
what is considered an historic and economic regional staple. Several years
ago, the Produce Market and the State of New Jersey were in advanced
discussions to relocate the Market. This transaction ensures that the
Produce Market will stay in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future.
According to analysis conducted by EConsult, it is estimated that the
direct and indirect economic benefit to the region and tax revenues to the
City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth will exceed more than $10.8
billion over the life of the 40-year lease. “The new Produce Market will
provide tremendous benefit to the local and state economies, as well as
continuing to be a major hub for fresh produce imported and exported through
the Port of Philadelphia,” said John H. Estey, Chairman of the Philadelphia
Regional Port Authority.
James T. McDermott Jr., Executive Director of the Philadelphia Regional
Port Authority, said: “The PRPA is extremely pleased to be a major partner
in this exciting economic development project. Retaining this important
regional asset is a great accomplishment. We look forward to a productive
and rewarding relationship with the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market.”
The Produce Market has deep roots and historic significance for
Philadelphia. Produce trading goes back to the 1600s on Dock Street at the
famed Head House Square. By the early 1800s, the produce industry had
carved out an area that wholesalers and farmers would go to, exclusively, on
Dock Street. It was a perfect area of the city to buy and trade all types
of product due to the close proximity of the port and the newly extended
rail lines. Paul Giordano of Giordano Produce, Jimmy Storey of Quaker City
Produce, and John Vena of John Vena Produce all have businesses at the
Produce Market that extend more than four generations back with grandfather’
s starting the family business down on Dock Street in the late 1800s and
early 1900s. “Many of the businesses at the market are small family-owned
businesses that have been in continuous operation for several generations.
My family’s business was started by my grandfather down on Dock Street in
1919 and today my son Daniel is representing the 4th generation,” says John
Vena.
The Philadelphia Regional Produce Market is among the largest produce
markets in the United States and supplies food as far north as Canada, as
far south as the Carolinas, with a primary focus to serve the needs of the
Greater Philadelphia region. The Produce Market also has an incredible
outreach and charity mission. More than 1,000,000 pounds of food per year
are donated to homeless shelters, schools in need, and non-profit
organizations like Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief
organization providing food to approximately 65,000 people per week. “Philabundance is grateful for the support from the Philadelphia Regional
Produce Market and the year-round donations, said Bill Clark, president and
executive director of Philabundance. “The Market is responsible for
supplying the variety of produce donations our agencies require to put
nutritious food on the table to the 900,000 people in need in the Delaware
Valley.” Charity, public access, and educational tours will be ongoing and
a central part of the spirit of the new Market.
The 667,000 square foot state-of the-art facility is nearly twice the size
of its current facility and will be the first of its kind in the United
States with a 100% fully refrigerated facility throughout the entire
building. The new facility will prevent the cold chain from breaking from
truck transport to loading docks to cold storage at the distribution center.
The building will be constructed of steel, concrete, and insulated metal
panels that are five inches thick to maintain the required refrigeration.
The new facility will feature 228 enclosed and fully refrigerated 50-foot
wide dock areas, 40 foot ceiling heights, a skylight running the length and
width of the building to provide natural lighting, a central walking
concourse open to the public, second floor office space with secure access,
ten entrances to the building and one main entrance for the public. The
project also includes an 18,000 square foot auxiliary building for recycling
pallets and food.
“Our new Philadelphia facilities will enable the produce market to compete
and win in the global economy,” says Sonny DiCrecchio, executive director of
the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market. “We believe that this facility
will be without equal, and as a result we will be able to grow our business,
add new jobs, attract new distribution opportunities, and enable
Philadelphia to set the worldwide standard for best practices in the food
distribution industry. Less than five minutes from three major interstates –
Interstate 95, 476, and 76 – as well as Philadelphia’s International
Airport, this new location enhances strategic distribution for all critical
transportation methods including trucking, air freight, rail, and boat.”
Thirty-two vendors will relocate into the new 68 units. Each unit is 30’
wide and 140’ feet long, and each vendor will have independent access and
control of its own refrigeration. This will enable customized settings,
adjustments due to seasonality, and the flexibility to distribute multiple
types of food from a single facility.
First phase of the site work will begin in September and the completion is
anticipated to occur within 23 months. Like many of O’Neill developments,
this is a brownfield site that will be revitalized. The site was a former
conglomeration of 5 junk and scrap yards. Essington Avenue Partners II
(EAPII) has entered into a voluntary agreement with the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection with remedial activities consisting
of removal of all surface debris including 400,000 tires, scrap metal in the
form of auto carcasses, trailers and buses. EAPII has an approved clean up
plan for the remainder of the site in preparation for the development of the
new facility.
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority will issue regular updates on the
progress of the new Philadelphia Regional Produce Market as it is
constructed.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITY
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, an independent agency of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has as its primary mission the enhancement of
water-borne trade and commerce. PRPA was created by an act of the
Pennsylvania legislature in 1989. As an organization committed to economic
development and job creation, the Authority seeks to generate activity that
will maximize port-related employment and revenues by promoting the use of
the Philadelphia regional port system by Pennsylvania based industries. It
is also committed to working in a cooperative spirit with other Delaware
River port and City agencies to realize the potential of the regional port
system. Port cargoes and the activity they generate are responsible for
thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Philadelphia area and
throughout Pennsylvania.
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, a private,
not-for-profit corporation, was created in 1958 by the Greater Philadelphia
Chamber of Commerce and the Commerce Department of the City of Philadelphia
to promote economic development and job creation throughout the City. PIDC
provides financing programs and real estate products to business and
developer client groups in all neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
ABOUT O’NEILL PROPERTIES GROUP
O'Neill Properties is a leading national real estate investment and
development company headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa., which is
developing a portfolio it currently values at over $1 billion. The company
focuses on development of mixed-use; retail; Class A office space and luxury
multi-family residential housing in the Northeast through the recycling and
renovation of surplus brownfield industrial and military real estate. The
portfolio includes significant residential, mixed-use, retail and commercial
land development projects, which include the development of over 10,000
residential units, and when completed will increase the portfolio’s value to
more than $4 billion. O’Neill Properties has completed development of over
13 million square feet of office space, 700 apartments, and currently has
over 2 million square feet of mixed-use and residential developments under
construction. (www.ONeillProperties.com)

GOVERNOR RENDELL SAYS DELAWARE RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT IS A MILESTONE
FOR MARITIME COMMERCE
PRPA AND US ARMY CORPS SIGN PROJECT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
PHILADELPHIA, June 23, 2008 - Governor Edward G. Rendell today hailed the signing of a historic agreement that will officially begin a five-year, $379 million project to deepen the Delaware River's shipping channel, calling it a major milestone in ongoing efforts to expand commerce and enhance economic development in the region.
The partnership agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) represents a significant step forward in a 15-year effort to deepen the river's shipping channel. The agreement was signed by Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley Jr. and PRPA Chairman John H. Estey.
"I consider this to be the most important project in the history of the Port of Philadelphia," said Governor Rendell. "Today is a major milestone for a project that will shape the future of maritime commerce on the Delaware River.
"With this agreement, we can say to every hard working man and woman in this region that the jobs on these piers are secure, and that more jobs are on the way. This project will make all of the Delaware River ports more viable in the long term, allowing our ports to retain current customers and to attract new cargo."
The agreement allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the PRPA, to increase by five feet the current 40-foot depth of the river's shipping channel from Camden's Beckett Street Terminal to the mouth of the Delaware Bay -a distance of 102 miles. The new, 45-foot channel depth will allow Delaware River ports to compete more effectively for cargo, to provide safe passage for vessels, and to increase jobs and cargo to the region.
"I am proud to represent the Army as we sign the Project Partnership Agreement. It has been a long time coming," said John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). "Some 25 years have passed since Congress first authorized a study of the channel, and 16 years since Congress authorized construction. We look forward to moving this project to the next phase."
Governor Rendell was joined at today's event by U. S. Senator Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Robert A. Brady.
"This agreement marks a very significant step for the Port of Philadelphia and the region," Senator Specter said. "I've worked on the matter since 1991 and it has been a brass-knuckle affair with thousands of jobs and billions of dollars at stake. Deepening the Delaware is indispensable to remaining competitive with other deep-water ports, and this is a great day for our region."
"This project will have a profound long-term effect on the Port of Philadelphia and on the entire region," said Congressman Robert A. Brady. "The Port of Philadelphia has always been a place where hard work and dedication can help Philadelphians secure a decent job with good wages. This agreement cements the future viability of the Port, and ensures those quality port related jobs will be here for future generations."
"This agreement today is great news for Pennsylvania's economy," said U.S. Senator Bob Casey, who was unable to attend the event. "The deepening project will allow more cargo to be transported in and out of the Port of Philadelphia. I look forward to working with Governor Rendell, Senator Specter, and the men and women of organized labor to continue strengthening the Port of Philadelphia."
The project will follow the current channel alignment 102 miles from Beckett Street Terminal to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The existing channel widths (400 -1,000 feet) will not change, though 12 of the existing 16 bends will be widened for safer navigation. Marcus Hook Anchorage will also be deepened to 45 feet.
"At 40 feet, the current depth of the channel is too shallow for many of the world's larger container vessels, putting Delaware River ports at a competitive disadvantage among the U.S. East Coast ports," said PRPA Chairman John H. Estey, Esq. "A 45 foot shipping channel allows the region to compete on the same stage as other East Coast ports, attracting more cargo and securing the future viability of the Port of Philadelphia."
"This partnership agreement signing is the culmination of decades of hard work, patience and dedication to a project of major significance for both the Delaware V alley and the United States of America," said Lieutenant Colonel Gwen E. Baker, Philadelphia District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "The Corps of Engineers stands ready to deliver an economically, environmentally and technically sound project to the region and the nation."
The project will require the removal of 26 million cubic yards of dredged material, which includes 18.6 million cubic yards of sand, clay and silt from the upriver portion. The remaining 7.4 million cubic yards of sand from the Delaware Bay will be used for wetland creation and beach nourishment. Also, 77,000 cubic yards of rock will be removed.
The Corps will construct, operate and maintain the project in an environmentally sustainable manner. Extensive testing has been done to confirm that the dredged material is safe, and the Corps will continue to monitor water quality throughout the project.
The deepening project will bring substantial secondary benefits to the Delaware Bay ecosystem. Dredged sand on Delaware's Kelly Island and New Jersey's Egg Island Point will help to promote horseshoe crab habitat through wetland restoration, and protect back-bay wetlands behind Delaware's Broadkill Beach via a beach renourishment project. The Corps has pursued beneficial use of dredged material projects like this across the nation and will continue to look for more opportunities.
For more information on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' work on the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project visit http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/cenap-pl/drmcdp/drmc.htm
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contact: Khaalid Walls; Khaalid.H.Walls@usace.army.mil
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Contact: Joseph Menta; jpmenta@philaport.com
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us.

PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITY COMMITS TO "GO GREEN"
Philadelphia, May 5, 2008-- Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) Executive Director James T. McDermott, Jr. was pleased to participate today in a ceremony to mark the regional port’s commitment to better environmental practices, practices that will lead to cleaner air and water, and more healthful daily operations. Also participating in today’s “Green Ports” event were South Jersey Port Corporation
(SJPC) Executive Director Joseph Balzano and Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Executive Director John Matheusson. DRPA’s John Estey, representative of Pennsylvania Governor and DRPA Chairman Edward G. Rendell also attended today’s event. Mr. Estey is also PRPA’s Chairman.
“This is another example of how our port agencies along the Delaware River work together in matters of regional importance,” said Mr. McDermott. “While engaging in healthy competition on a business level, we know the value of coming together when it counts. And cleaner, more responsible port operations is an initiative we can all get behind.”
The centerpiece of today’s ceremony, held at SJPC’s Broadway Terminal on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River, was the signing by Mr. Matheussen, Mr. Balzano, and Mr. McDermott of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the three agencies’ commitment to “reducing or neutralizing the impacts of port operations and expansion upon the environment and the surrounding community.” As detailed in the MOU, implementation initiatives to advance this commitment will include the following: educational programs, the reduction of energy consumption, the employment of cleaner energy sources, replacement and/or modernization of vehicles and equipment; the development of sound planning and development processes to advance the “Green Ports” agenda; and the seeking of funding sources to advance same.
Copies of the Green Ports Initiative Memorandum of Understanding are available upon request. Additional information about this initiative, a program that virtually all ports in the United States are currently undertaking in one form or another, can be found elsewhere in the press kit.
“We’re very excited about new business developments on the horizon,” said Mr. McDermott. “But we’re also excited that these developments won’t come at the cost of our environment. Today’s ceremony voices the commitment of PRPA, its terminal operators, and the Rendell administration to both a vibrant and healthy port.” The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charged with the management, maintenance, marketing and promotion of publicly owned port facilities along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, as well as strategic planning throughout the port district. PRPA works with its terminal operators to modernize, expand, and improve its facilities, and to market those facilities to prospective port users. Port cargoes and the activities they generate are responsible for thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Philadelphia area and throughout Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA
REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITY WELCOMES RICKMERS-LINIE TO TIOGA MARINE
TERMINAL;
MAJOR INCREASES IN EXPORTS AND RAIL ACTIVITY AMONG BENEFITS OF NEW
SERVICES
PORT NOW OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE, REGULAR CONTAINER
SERVICE TO BOTH EAST & WEST COASTS OF SOUTH AMERICA
Philadelphia, JANUARY 28, 2008
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) is pleased to announce
that Rickmers Linie (America), Inc., a German-based carrier specializing
in the transport of breakbulk and project cargoes, now regularly
calls PRPA's Tioga Marine Terminal in the city's Port Richmond section.
Initial vessel calls began in early January, and PRPA officials
expect upwards of 40 vessel calls during the course of 2008. A Rickmers
vessel currently calls Tioga Terminal every two weeks.
As well as generating the usual important types
of economic benefits for the Port and region- including longshoremen
man hours, dockage & wharfage fees, and the substantial indirect
employment created by cargo activity in a port- Rickmers brings
two additional benefits to the Port of Philadelphia: a substantial
increase in export cargo activity and a reinvigoration of Tioga
Terminal's rail capabilities.
PRPA Director of Marketing Sean Mahoney explained
the reasons for these added benefits: "The Rickmers service at Tioga
is part of the carrier's larger "Pearl String" round-the-world service,
including stops in Europe, Asia, India, and the U.S.," said Mr.
Mahoney. "Philadelphia is the last U.S. stop on this service before
the vessels head overseas, so the vessels have tended to take on
substantial amounts of cargo destined for international markets.
And as proud as we are of all our port's imported cargoes, in today's
trade climate export cargo is always gratifying to see."
The recent surge in exports at Tioga has also
helped place Tioga's rail capabilities back on the front burner.
Continued Mr. Mahoney: Rail track at the facility allows us to bring
a rail car right up to the vessel to take on or discharge cargo.
Increased cargo activity, especially increased outbound cargo business
brought about by our new Rickmers service, has greatly increased
the use of our rail capabilities at the terminal in the past month,
and this trend will likely continue."
Rickmers vessels regularly handle different varieties
of steel (bars, billets, wire, etc.) destined for U.S. and foreign
markets, as well as inbound and outbound project cargoes. Rickmers
vessels on the "Pearl String" service are equipped with shipboard
cranes with an extraordinary lift capacity, 640 metric tons, allowing
the service to handle all the unusual- and often heavy- cargoes
related to project shipments. A typical project cargo can be a turbine
for an electrical plant or a heat exchanger destined for a manufacturing
operation here or abroad.
In the past, prior to establishing its ongoing
service at Tioga, Rickmers often used Port of Philadelphia facilities
for these special shipments, because the Port's special abilities
to handle project and heavy-left cargoes complemented the carrier's
abilities to do the same. For example, Rickmers has transported
Pennsylvania-manufactured locomotives from the General Electric
plant in Erie, Pennsylvania to China, via the Port of Philadelphia.
Rickmers' past confidence in the Port's abilities was a contributing
factor to its establishment of its current ongoing relationship
with the Port.
Rickmers vessels on the "Pearl String" service
also have an 1800-TEU container capacity, allowing for container
activity when required. A typical Rickmers call at Tioga involves
substantial breakbulk/project activity, often with a rail component,
and some additional container activity.
Rickmers-Linie is soon expected to add an additional
America/Asia "Westabout" service to its current activity at Tioga,
the reason that a healthy 40-vessel count is projected for 2008.
PRPA's Tioga Marine Terminal is operated by Delaware
River Stevedores, Inc. (DRS), which worked with PRPA to attract
Rickmers Line to the facility. Rickmers-Linie is based in Germany
and has its main U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas.
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA)
is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charged
with the management, maintenance, marketing and promotion of publicly
owned port facilities along the Delaware River in Philadelphia,
as well as strategic planning throughout the port district. PRPA
works with its terminal operators to modernize, expand, and improve
its facilities, and to market those facilities to prospective port
users. Port cargoes and the activities they generate are responsible
for thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Philadelphia area
and throughout Pennsylvania. |