The Board of Directors and the staff of the Roxborough Development Corporation thank you for considering a donation to the organization.  It is very inspiring to see people become passionate about the neighborhood they live.

Since 1992 the Roxborough Development Corporation has been working toward a quality “Main Street” appearance for Ridge Avenue.  Ridge Avenue serves as a home for commercial businesses, religious institutions, schools, community resources and recreational activities.  The RDC spearheads many development projects, beautification programs, advocacy and branding initiatives to make Roxborough an ideal neighborhood to live, work, play and shop.

Below is a snapshot of recent Roxborough Development Corporation achievements

ACCOLADES

• MAIN STREET CERTIFICATION

The Ridge Ave. commercial corridor received the Main Street certification from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

• BLUE RIBBON AWARD FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE

Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations awarded the Roxborough Development Corporation the Blue Ribbon Award for Community Development Excellence for the Block Façade Project. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

• Crossroads Coffee House

Roxborough Development Corporation purchased 6156 Ridge Avenue, formerly Forrester’s Shoe Store, to create Crossroads Coffee House, the neighborhood’s first coffee shop.  Crossroads Coffee House also hosts live music events.

• Foodery

Roxborough Development Corporation rehabilitated and sold 6148 Ridge Avenue, formerly the farmers market, to the Foodery, a well-known Center City restaurant offering deli sandwiches, chocolates and cheeses.

• Historic Preservation

Roxborough Development Corporation secured funding through the Preservation Alliance's Vital Neighborhoods Initiative. This Historic Preservation Grant project will invest funds into historical homes in the Roxborough neighborhood.

• Lofts on the Ridge

The Roxborough Development Corporation installed two loft condominiums along Ridge Avenue to encourage residential development and to entice more people to live on the commercial corridor.

BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES

• FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM:  

In the past seven years, more than 70 properties have improved their facades.  This has resulted in over $750,000 in investments along Ridge Avenue. 

• Storefront Improvement Program: In 2011- 2012 12 storefronts on Ridge Avenue from Main Street to Domino Lane renovated with new signs, awnings, paint and lighting.Over $240,000 was invested in the facades of local businesses.

• Block Façade Project: In 2009-2010 37 storefronts on Ridge Avenue from Leverington to Lyceum were renovated with new signs, awnings, paint and lighting.  The City of Philadelphia granted $200,000 for the Targeted Block Façade Grant.  The entire project yielded $317,000 in improvements to Ridge Avenue business facades.    

• ROXBOROUGH RESOURCE GUIDE:

This Roxborough Resource Guide includes a directory of all the businesses on the commercial corridor and contact information for local schools, civic associations, elected officials and recreation facilities.

• ROXBOROUGH WEBSITE

Roxborough Development Corporation created www.roxborough.us, showcasing the Roxborough community to the digital world.  The website includes a directory of all the businesses on the Ridge Avenue Commercial Corridor, sport, recreational activities, civic associations, community events and market research information.

• ROXART Gallery:

Roxborough Development Corporation formed a partnership with the Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center to use the lobby area of the Roxborough Development Corporation’s offices as an art gallery.  This collaboration is to promote art and culture on the commercial corridor.  In 2011 the gallery hosted 3 open houses which were well attended.

BEAUTIFICATION INITIATIVES

• CLEANING THE SIDEWALK:

Roxborough Development Corporation's Street Ambassador Anthony Cleveland has been working hard to clean the sidewalks along the 2.5-mile Ridge Avenue Commercial Corridor.  Since January 1, 2012 over 7,000 gallons of trash have been collected.

• Streetscape/Gateway Project:

Roxborough Development Corporation is facilitating the design and construction of a $2.2 million streetscape/gateway project will include new sidewalks, trees, planters and garbage cans.  Significant neighborhood gateways will have signage and landscaping that will increase the branding of the Roxborough neighborhood.

• LANDSCAPING:

Roxborough Development Corporation plants and maintains seasonal flowers and shrubs in the 80 sidewalk planters along the central commercial corridor.  Roxborough Development Corporation also maintains four landscaped beds in four commercial and municipal parking lots.  Providing seasonal flowers and shrubs on the commercial corridor offers welcoming, pleasant feelings for shoppers and merchants.

• PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS:       

Roxborough Development Corporation purchased and installed 28 sidewalk pedestrian lights for the central business district of Ridge Avenue to help brighten the sidewalks and create a safer and more welcoming corridor during the evening hours.  This was made possible by a grant of $135,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

• PARKING LOT MITIGATION:

RDC added landscaped beds with plants and shrubs in parking lots that fronted storefront businesses.  These improvements removed the eye-sores of bare parking lots while minimizing the removal of any parking spots.  The RDC received a grant of $165,000 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development for this project.

• STREET DECORATION:

RDC invests in banners and hanging baskets that are installed along the corridor.

ADVOCACY/PLANNING INITIATIVES

• RIDGE AVE MASTER PLAN

A Master Plan for Ridge Avenue was created to describe proper development activity for the commercial corridor and covers many design topics including signage, building set back, fencing and landscaping.  Adherence to the Master Plan guidelines was credited for the following developments:

• Roxborough Commons (Ridge & Lyceum)
• Wachovia (Ridge & Paoli)
• Wawa & CVS Pharmacy (Ridge & Cinnaminson)

• Sidewalk Cafe:

RDC advocated for the passage of an ordinance in City Council to allow businesses on the Ridge Avenue Commercial Corridor to apply for outdoor seating.

• ZONING OVERLAY:

RDC advocated for the passage of an ordinance to set standards and specifications for development on central business district of Ridge Avenue such as building height, signage, lighting and parking.

• BRANDING ROXBOROUGH:

Roxborough Development Corporation created the branding slogan “Family, Community, And Nature Since 1690".  These statements identify the character of the neighborhood and the welcoming environment the neighborhood is to local residents and visitors.