Category: Press Releases

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rnPHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The Philadelphia City Council Rules Committee today unanimously endorsed the zoning for Stadium Casino, LLC's new destination hotel casino resort in Philadelphia's Stadium District. The Project, which was awarded the last casino license in the Commonwealth by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in late 2014, is being developed in partnership between The Cordish Companies and Parx Casino ("Parx"). rnrnThe privately financed $450 million world-class project will be located at 900 Packer Avenue, bound by 10th and Darien Streets, and will include a Las Vegas-style casino floor featuring more than 2,000 slot machines and more than 125 table games; a new 200+ room luxury hotel, spa and conference center; valet parking and an approximately 2,600 space parking garage; local and nationally-recognized destination restaurants; and live entertainment venues. The Project is immediately proximate to the Philadelphia Sports Complex, already a major tourist destination, drawing 8.5 million visitors a year. Ideally situated off Interstates 76 and 95, the property is positioned to become a true regional destination resort casino.rnrn"We appreciate the confidence shown in our team by the City Council," stated Zed Smith, COO of The Cordish Companies and Tony Ricci, CEO of Parx Casino. "We can't wait to get started in creating thousands of jobs and career opportunities for the people of Philadelphia."rnrnStadium Casino, LLC will set a new standard in development in the City of Philadelphia in the areas of economic opportunity and inclusivity for local residents. The Project will generate over $2 billion in economic stimulus along with $100 million in tax revenues for the City in just its first five years of operation, including $25 million to Philadelphia's School District. Stadium Casino will also create 3,000 new construction jobs which will generate approximately $145 million in estimated new wages and salaries (direct and indirect) during construction. Upon completion of the Project, 2,000 new permanent jobs will be created. Hourly workers will earn a living wage of at least $12 per hour for all employment categories including subcontractors and vendors. Career opportunities will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance and gaming operations. rnrnStadium Casino has committed to a groundbreaking Economic Opportunity Plan with the City of Philadelphia that has set several unprecedented goals in the areas of minority and local hiring initiatives. These goals include 58-65% of the construction contract value to be Minority Business Enterprises/Women Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE); 58-60% of the post-construction professional services and supplier contract value to be MBE/WBE; 50% of the construction workforce to be minority; 50% of the permanent workforce to be minority and 40% to be women; 50% of the construction and permanent workforce to be local residents and 85% to be Commonwealth residents. The Project is also committed to establishing partnerships with local educational institutions to operate training programs for potential workers at the casino, including pre-opening community-based job fairs; local job placement workshops; on-line job postings, job matching and customized recruitment services; contractor mentoring and apprenticeship; community-based information sessions on job opportunities and training programs; and community college and university partnerships for job placement. rnrnThe Stadium District Hotel and Casino project will be one of the major charitable contributors and participants in the community and has received support from all five surrounding South Philadelphia Neighborhood Groups, including the Sports Complex Special Services District, Stadium Community Council, Veterans Stadium Neighbors Civic Association, Whiteman Council and the South Philadelphia Communities Civic Association. Stadium Casino remains committed to engaging community groups and residents within the civic associations to work together to enact improvements in the neighborhoods and has established a Community Charitable Fund amounting to a minimum of $15 million in grants from the project to local communities during construction and the first 20 years of operations.rnrnAs previously announced by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, a Diversity Advisory Board has been formed to collaborate with Stadium Casino, LLC in its efforts to engage and provide opportunities to minority, women, veteran and local businesses and individuals to maximize the impact of the Project on the community. The Board is currently comprised of 16 members including leaders from the following organizations: The Cordish Companies; Parx Casino; Philadelphia NAACP; Black Clergy of Philadelphia; Drexel University; African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ and DE; Laborers' International Union-Local 332; The Enterprise Center; Philadelphia Dominican Grocers' Association; Global Synergies; Philadelphia Works, Inc.; JEVS; Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia; Office of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson; Philadelphia Job Corps; and the Philadelphia Office of Economic Opportunity. rnrn"The Stadium Casino agreement with the City is transformative and sets a new gold standard for inclusive economic development in the City," stated Steven Bradley, Chair African American Chamber.rnrnABOUT STADIUM CASINO, LLCrnStadium Casino, LLC, a partnership between The Cordish Companies and Parx Casino ("Parx"), was selected in November 2014 to develop a $450 million world-class resort hotel & casino complex for the City of Philadelphia, after a rigorous and competitive selection process by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Gaming Control Board. The Cordish Companies are a century-old national real estate developer, and own and operate Philadelphia's XFINITY Live!, as well as Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Parx is the owner and operator of Parx Casino in Bensalem, as well as multiple other properties in the Philadelphia area. Maryland Live! Casino and Parx are the two top-grossing casinos in the Mid-Atlantic region, generating hundreds of millions of dollars per year in taxes. Stadium Casino, LLC was selected based on its owners' proven track record as developers and operators of hotel and gaming facilities, their accomplishments as nationally-recognized urban developers, and their leadership in the areas of diversity and inclusion in the construction, hiring and ongoing operations of their businesses.rnrnThe destination resort project will be located at 900 Packer Avenue, bound by 10th and Darien Streets, in the heart of the Stadium District in South Philadelphia. It will include a Las Vegas-style casino floor, featuring more than 2,000 slot machines and 125 table games, a 200+ room upscale boutique hotel and full spa, nationally-recognized restaurants and live entertainment venues, valet parking and an approximately 2,600 space parking garage. rnrnABOUT THE CORDISH COMPANIESrnThe Cordish Companies' origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Real Estate Development, Gaming & Hospitality, Entertainment Management and International Urban Planning & Development. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located.rnrnPrime examples are The Cordish Companies' prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore's world famous Inner Harbor; Philadelphia, PA; Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. In addition, The Cordish Companies has developed and operates multiple highly acclaimed entertainment destinations throughout the United States which welcome over 50 million visitors per year and are the most visited destinations in their respective regions. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family's core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter @cordishco.rnrn"The Cordish Companies," "The Cordish Company" and "Cordish" are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships ("Cordish Entities"). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names "Cordish," "The Cordish Companies" or "The Cordish Company" here or elsewhere.rnrnABOUT PARX CASINOrnBob Green, Chairman of Parx, was a major contributor in bringing legalized gaming legislation to Pennsylvania in 2004. His vast experience in the wagering industry, beginning in the UK, brought him to the United States with tremendous success in the racing and gaming arenas. Since opening in 2006, Parx Casino® continues to be the #1 revenue generating casino in Pennsylvania. Gaming in Pennsylvania is now the second-highest grossing gambling jurisdiction behind Nevada. rnrnParx Casino®, largest and most impressive gaming complex in Pennsylvania, and Parx Racing®, legendary thoroughbred racetrack, are owned and operated by Greenwood Racing, Inc. Conveniently located 20 minutes north of center city Philadelphia, I-95 exit 37 or PA Turnpike exit 351 (westbound), exit 352 (eastbound) onto Street Road in Bensalem, Parx features 164,000 square feet of gaming; 3,500 slot machines; 90 live table games; 60 poker tables; live racing & simulcast action; Parx Grill, an upscale signature restaurant; Foodies food court, Chickie's & Pete's, 360 bar and nightclub; Jax sports bar, Finish Line bar, SangKee Noodle Bar and complimentary parking for over 5,000 cars. For more information on Parx visit www.parxcasino.com and www.parxracing.com.rnrnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151116/287873rnrnSOURCE Stadium Casino, LLC

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees District 1199C announces its strong support for the re-election of Congressman Chaka Fattah to the U.S. House of Representatives.rnrnIn a statement released today Union President, Henry Nicolas said, "We are proud that local 1199C was the first union to endorse Congressman Fattah in 1994 when he ran for Congress and we're proud to be the first union in the city to announce our enthusiastic support for him again 20 years later.rnrn"During his thirty years serving the people in the Philadelphia region, Congressman Fattah has helped more than 25 million individuals through programs and initiatives he has created. From creating opportunities for every child who wants to go to college, to programs that provide the means for them to be successful in college, to staving off mortgage foreclosures; Chaka has worked to ensure a higher quality of life for the men and women in the Philadelphia region.rnrn"As a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Fattah has been pivotal in ensuring federal dollars are spent in effective ways through the Affordable Healthcare Act. His leadership made possible $1.3 billion in federal funding for Pennsylvania's Community Health Centers. In Philadelphia, a large portion of those funds help in providing critical services at 44 centers to more than 280,000 adults and children.rnrn"As the Ranking Member on the Commerce, Justice Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee Fattah helped secure $1.45 billion in federal grants from the National Institute of Health for research and development. In the Philadelphia region those federal dollars supported 25,000 jobs and generated $4 billion in economic activity.rnrn"In 2011, Congressman Fattah created the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative which coordinates federal agencies to promote medical research in the areas of brain development, disease and traumatic brain injury. With its many hospitals and universities, Philadelphia is a hub of medical and educational innovation providing the nation with cutting edge research and pushing the boundaries of science and medicine. To aid in that research, Fattah's leadership in Washington – in just the last four years – has been key in directing over $3.5 billion to Philadelphia hospitals, universities and organizations.rnrn"By supporting the re-election of Congressman Fattah, our union is investing in Philadelphia's future. He has a proven track record of bringing home the federal dollars to help make Philadelphia a better place to live and work. As a national champion for children and working families and a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee he is in the best position to fight for our City.rnrn"Our union will help lead the grass roots effort to rally support and funding from the labor community to make sure Congressman Fattah returns to Washington."rnrn rnrnSOURCE District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees AFSCME, AFL-CIO

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rn3 historic buildings – 3 different styles – within 300 steps of each otherrn

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rnPHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Most Americans know Philadelphia is chock-full of historic Colonial buildings, such as Independence Hall, Carpenter's Hall and Christ Church.rnrnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151112/286834rnrnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151112/286835rnrnBut few realize Philadelphia is home to three neighboring architectural masterpieces as eclectic and extraordinary as you'll find anywhere in the world.rnrnThese gems – all U.S. National Historic Landmarks – are:rnrnPhiladelphia's City HallrnThe Masonic Temple of PhiladelphiarnThe Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine ArtsrnBegun within three years of each other, the buildings are radically different in look and style and sit within 300 steps of each other on N. Broad Street.rnrnJim Murphy, author of 29 "Exploring the City" columnist for the Society Hill Reporter – an award-winning community newspaper –first noticed the unique cluster of classics while writing a story on the Masonic Temple of Philadelphia.rnrnA certified member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides, Murphy had already published columns on its neighbors, City Hall and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.rnrn"They're hidden in plain sight," he says. "I don't know of any city anywhere with three such amazing buildings so close together." By his count, the three tourist attractions are just 285 steps apart.rnrnHere's a quick rundown on each:rnrnPhiladelphia's City HallrnBroad and Market StreetsrnrnClaim to Fame: Built in French Second Empire style at a cost of $24.5 million over a 30-year period, City Hall is the largest all-masonry load-bearing building in the world. It has no steel frame. With a floor space of 630,000 square feet, it's larger than the U.S. Capitol Building and may be the largest municipal building anywhere. Some walls are 2 feet thick. Until 1987 no building in the city could rise higher than City Hall's 548 feet. Architect: John McArthur Jr.rnrnWhat to See: Over 700 rooms; 250 sculptures by Alexander Milne Calder, including: William Penn, a 37-foot-high, 27-ton statue thought to be the largest atop a building in the world; and a clock face visible for miles that's 3 feet larger in diameter than London's Big Ben. Phone: 215-686-2840rnrnPhiladelphia's Masonic Temple,rn1 N. Broad StreetrnrnWhat to see: A "robust Norman-style" exterior that becomes "a fantasy of Renaissance-inspired neoclassicism in the corridors and stairs and nineteenth-century 'eclectic revivalism' in the lodge rooms." So says a coffee-table book published by the Masonic Temple in 2013. Visiting the seven magnificent lodge rooms – all decorated ornately in different styles – is like taking a mini-trip around the world. You'll see Egyptian, Greek, Gothic, Corinthian and more.rnrnClaim to Fame: The lavish interior took 15 years to complete. Architect: John Windrim. Interior designer: George Herzog.rnrnWebsite: pagrandlodge.org. Phone: 215-988-1917rnrnThe Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)rn118 N. Broad Street.rnrnWhat to see: A façade that is a spectacular amalgam of Renaissance, Gothic and Second Empire styles. The exterior is described by John Andrew Gallery in Philadelphia Architecture as "a riot of forms" executed in "rusticated brownstone, dressed sandstone, polished pink granite, red pressed brick and purplish terra-cotta." The inside is "an explosion of color."rnrnClaim to Fame: PAFA is the oldest art school and museum in the U.S. Mostly designed by famed Philadelphia architect Frank Furness (pronounced "furnace"), PAFA's magnificent Historic Landmark Building includes features later used in virtually every modern skyscraper, plus a passive ventilation system and industrial touches not seen in any other museum.rnrnSource/Contact: Jim Murphyrn610-506-3024rnEmailrnrn rnrnSOURCE Jim Murphy

Our goal is to support and bring awareness to food related charities in our great city through restaurants opening their doors to an all-day event centered on trying new restaurants, drinks, food, and fun. There will be food drop off locations in 25 different neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia where you can bring canned goods just before […]

Oh What Fun it is to Ride…Philly PHLASH Downtown Bus Loop resumes daily service, November 27 – January 3 with stops at the city's must-see holiday attractionsrnrnPHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ –rnrnTWEET! Oh, what fun it is to ride #PhillyPHLASH! Daily service resumes Nov. 27, with stops at must-see holiday attractions: phillyphlash.comrnrnTo kick off the holiday season, the Philly PHLASH Downtown Bus Loop resumes daily operations starting November 27 through January 3, running every 15 minutes to 22 stops between Penn's Landing and the Please Touch Museum from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. PHLASH service for the 2015 season ends on January 3, 2016 and will resume in early-Spring of 2016.rnrnPHLASH will make stops near exciting collection of must-see holiday attractions:rnrnBlue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn's LandingrnFranklin Square Holiday Festival & Electrical SpectaclernCity Hall and the Rothman Institute Ice Rink in Dilworth ParkrnFairmount Park Welcome Center and Christmas Village in LOVE ParkrnPhiladelphia Gingerbread House Display and Center City's Largest Christmas Tree at The Shops at Liberty PlacernDickens' Village and Christmas Light Show inside Macy'srnComcast Holiday SpectacularrnAnd more!rnClick here to download the ROUTE MAP.rnrnHoliday attractions are marked with a snowflake.rnrnAdditionally, PHLASH always services the following key attractions:rnrnNational Museum of American Jewish HistoryrnNational Constitution CenterrnReading Terminal MarketrnEastern State PenitentiaryrnPhiladelphia Museum of ArtrnRodin MuseumrnThe Barnes FoundationrnThe Franklin InstituternPlease Touch MuseumrnPhiladelphia ZoornOnly $5 for an all-day pass or just $2 per ride: PHLASH provides inexpensive, reliable, and easy traveling for visitors and locals alike. Children 4 and under, seniors and SEPTA Pass Holders ride FREE. PHLASH tickets are available on the buses with exact change only, at select hotels and sales locations, and visitor center locations including:rnrnIndependence Visitor Center (6th & Market Streets) rnFairmount Park Welcome Center (16th Street & John F. Kennedy Blvd., Love Park) rnCity Hall Visitor Center (City Hall, Room 121)rnrnGet a parking discount at select garages when you show your PHLASH Pass: Drivers to and through the city can park at five (5) Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Autopark garages all day for one low price. Drive into town, park within a couple blocks of a PHLASH stop, take the PHLASH to your favorite downtown shopping district, shop 'til you drop, take a quick ride back to your car, load up and head out!rnrn Rates* rn*Discount Parking Ratern1. Autopark @ 2nd & Sansom Streetsrn$7.00rn2. Autopark @ Independence Mall, 5th & Market Streetsrn$10.00rn3. Autopark @ 8th & Filbert Streets, 801 Filbert Streetrn$8.00rn4. Autopark @ Jefferson, 10th & Ludlow Streetsrn$7.00rn5. Autopark @ Gallery, 10th & Filbert Streetsrn$6.00rnrnrn*Rates are subject to changern**All patrons with a PHLASH ticket must go to the parking facility's management office to receive discounted parking rate. You must enter the parking garage after 9 a.m. and depart by 7 p.m.rn rnrnFind PHLASH on-the-go and get live updates: Visit RidePhillyPHLASH.com on your mobile device for the nearest stop and real-time arrival times.rnrnOperation of the PHLASH would not be possible without the generous assistance and support of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the City of Philadelphia, and SEPTA. Additionally, PHLASH continues to be in service due to the contributions of partners throughout the city including the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Eastern State Penitentiary, Franklin Institute, National Constitution Center, National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, The Shops at Liberty Place, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and Visit Philadelphia®.rnrnSOURCE Independence Visitor Center CorporationrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://phillyphlash.com

Proceeds Support Life-Saving Treatments Pioneered at the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutritionrn rnrn rnPHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With support from poker legend Phil Hellmuth, Jr., WPT Anchor Lynn Gilmartin and co-founder Dan Shak, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the WPT Foundation's "All In" for Kids Poker Tournament raised nearly $700,000 to […]

ON SUNDAY, 08 NOVEMBER 2015. POSTED IN MEMORIAL DAY, PVVM UPDATES & NEWSrn rnrn rnVeterans Day at the Memorial will be jam-packed with an address by former PA Adjutant and Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig, a performance by the Philly Pops and the awarding of 50th Anniversary Commemorative pins to all Vietnam Veterans in attendance.rnrnMaj. […]

Philadelphia, November 6, 2015 – The City of Philadelphia announced the results of energy and water usage reporting for nearly 2,000 of Philadelphia’s largest buildings, marking the conclusion of the third year of the City’s energy benchmarking program. Energy benchmarking allows building owners to easily compare their facility’s energy performance to peers locally and nationwide, and understand opportunities for cost-saving and energy efficiency.rnrn“Buildings account for the majority of Philadelphia’s carbon footprint, and energy efficiency is the cheapest and most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “The publication of this data will help building owners make smarter energy decisions and aide the City in better targeting policies to meet our energy and sustainability goals.”rnrnPhiladelphia City Council mandated energy benchmarking and reporting for commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet in 2013, and the program is in its third year of implementation. A similar requirement was passed for multifamily buildings earlier this year and will go into effect in 2016, adding an additional 800 buildings to the program.rnrnThe Mayor’s Office of Sustainability manages the benchmarking program and is finalizing a report on findings from this year’s reported data. Some highlights of the report are:rnrnPhiladelphia buildings earning an ENERGY STAR score (a 1-100 measurement of energy efficiency) received a median of 59 in 2014, 9 points higher than the national median of 50. This is down from a score of 63 in 2013, demonstrating the need for energy efficiency investment in many of Philadelphia’s largest buildings.rnMore than 700 properties were eligible for an ENERGY STAR score, an increase of nine percent from 2012. ENERGY STAR scores normalize energy data for weather, occupancy rate, and building type, allowing owners and operators to more easily compare their performance to local and national peers.rnNearly 2,000 buildings encompassing more than 280 million square feet of floor area (roughly 25 percent of all the developed space in Philadelphia) reported as part of Year Three of the program. For the second straight year, compliance exceeded 90 percent.rnThe energy benchmarking program is part of a broader strategy by the City of Philadelphia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of theGreenworks comprehensive sustainability plan. More information about Greenworks and Philadelphia’s commitment to meeting the challenges of climate change is available online at www.phila.gov/green.rnrnLINKS:rnrnEnergy Benchmarking and Disclosure website: www.phila.gov/benchmarkingrnrnBenchmarking Mapping Tool: http://visualization.phillybuildingbenchmaring.comrnrnMayor’s Office of Sustainability website: www.phila.gov/green

Philadelphia, November 5, 2015 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter released the following statement thanking Philadelphians for voting to make permanent the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs.rnrn rnrn“On Tuesday, nearly 86,000 Philadelphians made their voice heard and voted in favor of amending the Philadelphia City Charter to make permanent the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs, which works tirelessly on behalf of our great City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. This was a historic and unprecedented move to institutionalize the decades of advancement, advocacy, equality and inclusion for our LGBT citizens championed in this city by community activists, allies and government officials.rnrn rnrnThe establishment of a permanent LGBT Affairs office ensures that Philadelphia will remain a national leader for municipal equality and that through policy and practice City-wide the rights of every citizen will be protected and supported. While this is a great step forward, we still have work to do to achieve true equality, equity and inclusion.rnrn rnrnFrom my time as a Councilman through my tenure as Mayor, I’ve fought proudly on behalf of LGBT citizens. I want to thank Philadelphia’s voters for embracing the diversity that makes our city a great place to live, work and visit and for improving the lives of all residents, today and in the future, with their vote.”rnrn rnrnThe Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs was established by Mayor Michael A. Nutter in 2008, under the leadership of its first Director, Gloria Casarez. Over the years, the Office of LGBT Affairs has played an important role in educating the public and outreach to the community, advising the Administration on public policy and serving as a liaison to other City agencies and departments. Nellie Fitzpatrick is the current Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs.rnrn rnrnFor each of the last two years, Philadelphia has been named the highest-ranking big city in the United States for LGBT equality in the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index: A Nationwide Evaluation of Municipal Law.

Philadelphia, November 6, 2015 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Commerce Director, and the Global Philadelphia Association announced that the City of Philadelphia has become the first World Heritage City in the United States, formally receiving the designation this evening through a vote taken by the XIII World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities in Arequipa, Peru. The designation comes as the result of a two-year campaign and is expected to enhance the City’s international stature and provide a new growth engine to drive tourism and commerce in the region. rnrn rnrn“Today marks the start of a new and exciting chapter in the history of Philadelphia, which is proud to become the first World Heritage City in the United States,” said Mayor Nutter. “As a World Heritage City, Philadelphia is being officially recognized on the global stage for its wealth of contributions to the world as the epicenter of American democracy and for its enduring commitment to preserving the unique historical and cultural assets in our diverse community. As we celebrate this milestone, the next step is to focus on the future and how we can optimize this World Heritage City recognition to attract more people to visit, invest, work, study and live in Philadelphia.”rnrn rnrnDeputy Mayor Alan Greenberger and John F. Smith, III, Chair of the Global Philadelphia Association, led a delegation of Philadelphia officials to the World Congress that included Sylvie Gallier-Howard, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor; Fernando Trevino, Deputy Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs; and Zabeth Teelucksingh, Executive Director of the Global Philadelphia Association.rnrn rnrn“From its Colonial history to the present day, Philadelphia has rightfully earned its place as one of greatest cities in the world,” said Deputy Mayor Greenberger. “Becoming a World Heritage City is a reflection of all that we have accomplished and a confirmation of the fact that the best is yet to come as Philadelphia continues to evolve and transform itself.”rnrn rnrnJohn F. Smith III, whose organization, the Global Philadelphia Association, has worked with Mayor Nutter’s Administration on the joint initiative since 2013, said, “Philadelphia is adding another ‘first’ to its distinguished resume as the first World Heritage City in our nation. This opens new doors of opportunity for Philadelphia while raising awareness of the City’s importance in today’s highly competitive global arena.”rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia’s strong case to become the first World Heritage City in the U.S. began with a revolutionary foundation – the fact that the City is the home of Independence Hall, where America’s Founding Fathers forged democratic ideals into the Declaration of Independence and changed the course of history to give birth to a nation in 1776. It is also where the United States Constitution was written and signed. Independence Hall became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. In 2013, Philadelphia was approved as an Observer Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Earlier this year, the World Heritage Philadelphia Executive Committee submitted an application to become a Full Member. Philadelphia, the fifth-largest U.S. city, joins 266 other World Heritage Cities in the Organization of World Heritage Cities.rnrn rnrn“I am thrilled to welcome Philadelphia into the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Over the last two years, Philadelphia has made an excellent case and is very deserving of becoming the first U.S. City to become a full member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities,” said Denis Ricard, Secretary General of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.rnrn rnrnAt a symposium in Philadelphia last month, the Global Philadelphia Association and the City of Philadelphia invited more than one hundred leaders in the public and private sectors to discuss ideas and strategies that could be implemented following the World Heritage City designation. Now, these partners will develop and coordinate a plan of action in the months to come.rnrn rnrnMayor Nutter and the delegation will celebrate this historic designation with a Toast to World Heritage PHL at the Independence Visitors Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 11th at 4pm.rnrn rnrnFor information about the Organization of World Heritage Cities, visit www.ovpm.org.rnrn rnrnAbout the Global Philadelphia AssociationrnrnThe Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) was founded in 2010 by leading international organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Its mission is to assist – and encourage greater interaction among – the many organizations and people who are engaged in international activity within the Greater Philadelphia region; promote the development of an international consciousness within the region; and enhance the region’s global profile. GPA is a nonprofit organization with more than 190 members, including businesses, organizations and internationally-minded individuals. For more information, visit www.globalphiladelphia.org.