On The Waterfront…In Delaware County Navigating the Currents of Change – Full Speed Ahead! In the film “On the Waterfront” Marlon Brando’s character, Terry Malloy is an ex-boxer who does odd jobs for the crooked boss of the dock worker’s union in Hoboken, New Jersey. An unwitting aid in the murder of a dock worker who is about to testify to corruption in the union, Malloy’s dilemma is universal: to remain quiet or to stand up for the truth. Viewers through the years have identified with Malloy, because every person faces that question at least once in his or her life. Equally powerful, was the film’s gritty, mesmerizing portrayal of the hard working man who dreams, falters, gets up and tries again. Delaware County has a proud history of such men who helped fire up the engines that stoked our enviable shipping and manufacturing success. The fact is, America was built on the hard work and sweat of manual laborers who worked in our nation’s coal mines, on assembly lines, in steel mills and on the docks at ports around the country. In the mid-1900’s these industries flourished as the blue collar work ethic, determination and pride fueled our nation’s rise into a modern-day super power. Delaware County’s history is also rooted in the indomitable spirit of the blue collar worker. The County’s waterfront communities, many of which began as summer resort neighborhoods for people escaping the heat of center city - soon became hubs for shipping, manufacturing, energy, and transportation. With direct access to more than 15 miles of the Delaware River, Delaware County was a major player in the transporting of goods throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. An argument could be made that for several decades, Marcus Hook, Chester, Trainer, Ridley and Essington carried the county’s economy on their back. The tugboat industry exploded. Shipping and ship building created jobs, drove manufacturing and enabled companies throughout the region to competitively price their products for market. But as the saying goes, ‘the only thing that remains constant - is change.’ As the region approached the 21st century, these cornerstone industries faced severe challenges. Philadelphia’s urban sprawl exploded the waterfront’s population, while shipping, ship building and manufacturing sectors were experiencing a slow down in production and profits. The tugboat industry crumbled. The region endured a wounding spike in unemployment. Where previously funds had been abundant for education, infrastructure and development - budgets were cut. Once bustling towns needed to rethink their economic futures and develop a new strategy to sustain and enhance them. Serious decisions needed to be made. Creative, hard working government officials along with canny business leaders and determined residents cultivated new ideas to reinvigorate their communities. “Several years ago County Council unveiled a revitalization plan for our older communities,” explained Council’s Vice Chair, Linda Cartisano. “We implemented a commitment to transform these previously industrial bastions into attractive sites that would serve as homes for electronic businesses and centers where technology for the 21st century can be developed.” Cartisano continued, “County Council has allocated more than $3.2 million the past three years for municipalities which line or are near the Delaware River in support of economic development and community revitalization.” Cartisano pointed out that those dollars support a broad range of community activities which address streetscape improvements, recreational waterfront development, park and playground restoration, flood controls, historic preservation and development of business districts and industrial corridors. “We also acquired another $2.9 million in transportation enhancement grants which were used in part, towards the construction of a riverwalk and a portion of the East Coast Greenway connecting a new park beneath the Commodore Barry Bridge and the 67-acre Wharf at Rivertown,” she added. Tinicum Sails Into the 21st Century Tinicum Township has a solid business community and a large active core group of residents who provide extensive volunteer services in all aspects of community life. A new firehouse is under construction and there are plans submitted for two buildings at the Tinicum Industrial Park and a new motel may be constructed at International Plaza, former site of the Scott Paper’s corporate offices. The Corinthian Yacht Club has submitted a land development proposal for an addition to their property along with a renovation plan for several existing buildings. The Corinthian, along with Governor Printz Park and other boating clubs continue to enhance the township’s water-sport and recreational appeal. History preservation is also a priority in Tinicum. “County Council recently awarded a $50,000 grant so that Tinicum can conduct a feasibility study and development plan for the Lazaretto,” noted Councilwoman Cartisano. “This is a significant historic site which served as a quarantine station and hospital for immigrants who arrived in the earliest years of our nation, predating Ellis Island.” According to Tinicum Police Chief, Walter ‘Bud’ Fife, “Our business landscape is fairly consistent, but the biggest shift in the past 20 years would be the employment migration from the now closed Westinghouse Corporation, to other companies including Boeing which has expanded to both sides of 291, locating their test center on the river.” In Chester, revitalization wears several hats. Chester City is one of the most historic and culturally diverse areas in the region. It is the oldest city in Pennsylvania, and home to the actual site where Penn landed. For many years Chester dealt with its changing economic landscape with a faltering hand rooted in the traditional ideas of an ‘older’ era. But in the past decade the economic winds have shifted and Chester is the proud home to nationally recognized companies including Kimberly Clark, PQ Corporation, Wells Fargo Financial, Synygy and Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack (The Racetrack opens September 10th – to be followed by the Casino in 2007). The success of these companies has powered a surging business climate that focuses on diversification. “We no longer rely on a single type of business or industry to sustain our economy,” noted Jim Turner, Director of Chester’s Economic Development Association. “We are growing all segments of the business community including technology and finance.” The stunning new mistress of Chester’s waterfront is the renovated PECO Energy Station, known as the Wharf at Rivertown. This huge office building presides over the river with the same surefootedness as the tugboats that ferry ships past her beautiful windowed frame. Housed within, are dozens of companies and one of the region’s most beautiful banquet and event facilities – Turbine Hall. With the river acting as the fourth wall, magnificent décor is guaranteed and events are staged with state-of-the-art technology. Buttressed by incentives for small companies, many more rising star tech firms, research companies and financial institutions have opened their doors in Chester. Marcus Hook Means Business Home to more than 100 businesses, municipal officials pride themselves in maintaining good working relations with local business and industry. While other types of major manufacturing took it on the chin in recent decades, two oil refineries still flourish in this tight-knit community where several energy plants re-strategized operations and became more efficient as new technologies maximized production and drove increased revenues. Conoco Phillips and Sunoco are examples of energy companies that are not only financially successful, but also socially responsible in the community. According to Marcus Hook’s Borough Manager, Bruce Dorbian, “Conoco and Sunoco play a huge role in funding local programs in Marcus Hook including sports teams, holiday events, beautification efforts and even Riverfront Ramble.” Although largely built-out, development opportunities exist. “It is noteworthy that Preferred Real Estate, a company with a tremendous track record in renovating older buildings, has seen fit to invest in Marcus Hook,” said Borough Manager Bruce Dorbian. “Preferred owns the former American Viscose site now being marketed as “The Silk Mill.” The revitalization of this historic landmark site has the potential of being an economic windfall in the town. The 23-acre mixed-use site offers an ideal setting for office, institutional, retail and residential use. The open area next to the Market Street Bridge will benefit from the $10 million dollar bridge replacement project and its location adjoining SEPTA’s busy R-5 Marcus Hook station. The project dubbed “Marcus Hook Station Square” was the subject of a recently released Transit Oriented Development plan. The Borough is currently seeking interest from developers for a mixed-use residential development with green areas and walkways connecting to the commuter station and commercial areas of the town’s downtown business district. The Borough’s waterfront is no longer the best kept secret in Delaware County. It is home to Market Square Memorial Park, the lovely riverfront park, and the Marcus Hook Community Center. The community center boasts a fully outfitted fitness center with great views of the Delaware River. This area has recently seen new homes spring up. Additional home starts are expected. “With the renewed commitment to the Delaware County waterfront, the efficiency of transportation in the area, a central location and excellent access, Marcus Hook is primed for business growth and development,” Dorbian continues. “Marcus Hook is a community where all phases of life - living, working, and recreating - come together in harmony.” Ridley Township – Taking a New Road into the Future “Ridley Municipal Marina on Darby Creek is another renovation story,” DelCo Councilwoman Cartisano adds. “It’s location on Darby Creek near the confluence with the Delaware River was restored with the help from allocations by County Council for renovations to the dock and to acquire an adjacent parcel for expansion so residents could have better access to the river.” Fellow Councilman, Jack Whelan, expanded on the Marina’s plan for a major renovation program, noting that no further development can happen until a new access road can be built. “To reach the Marina now, people must use Swarthmore Avenue, a narrow neighborhood street with parking on both sides of the road,” Whelan explained. “Not only is it difficult for vehicles with boats to maneuver, its unfair to residents to expand the Marina and put even more traffic pressure on this single roadway.” Whelan noted that the Township is aggressively seeking funding and grants from a variety of sources to fund construction of an access road off of Sellars Avenue. “Marina traffic would use the new road, freeing up Swarthmore Avenue for local and emergency use only. “The Marina is in the process of putting out bids to replace all the boat slips and docking area,” Whelan concludes. “We want to change the face of the entire area, creating a beautiful place for local residents and visitors, alike. Plans include a promenade along the river, a gazebo, and full service banquet facility – but the road comes first.” Robert Willert, President of Ridley’s Board of Commissioners looks forward to the renovation. “This marina is one of the few publicly owned marinas with access to the Delaware River,” he explains. “It currently features a boat ramp, 100 wet slips, a storage yard for 150 boats, The Blue Anchor Restaurant and Water’s Edge Banquet Room, but we are anxious to see the marina expand into a beautiful, multi-purpose facility.” Riverfront Ramble takes river towns back to their resort roots Delaware County’s river towns were born as summer resorts – and certainly Riverfront Ramble showcases the amazing summer fun and recreational opportunities families can enjoy in their beautiful town parks. But the creation of “Riverfront Ramble” is more than that. It is another example of innovative thinking. When 20,000 people come to your town for a day, all types of businesses benefit from restaurants to gas stations. The ultimate goal of the Ramble is to showcase all the reasons why people from all over the region should visit these towns throughout the entire year: to see amazing historic sites, cheer at a great high school basketball game, enjoy a picnic by the river, or to take advantage of great products and prices at local businesses. According to County Council’s Vice Chair, Linda Cartisano, “Teamwork is at the heart of this comeback story.” It is a tribute to every city councilman, volunteer, educator, business person - and yes, every blue collar worker on Delaware County’s waterfront. As Terry Malloy did in the movie, these men and women are acting courageously - in what once seemed like an uphill battle. The result of their labors is a work in progress, but as the economic base in these communities grows more diverse, and as more opportunities are created for business to flourish - these towns will continue to be great places to raise families, grow old and celebrate life. On the third weekend of September Delaware County’s river towns invited everyone to discover their ‘river roots.’ Bring the family. Spend the weekend ‘on the waterfront’ exploring historic sites, enjoying tall ships, great food, free concerts and more. Visit www.riverfrontramble.org for more information.