Oct 11 2006
On Saturday, October 21, more than 600 rowers will navigate their sculls and kayaks along the lower banks of the Schuylkill River, competing in the 2nd annual Schuylkill Banks Regatta presented by Toll Brothers at Naval Square. Among the challenges of the unique and distinctly urban 3-mile course is maneuvering under 12 bridges between Bartram's Garden and Cherry Street. No other regatta in the country features as many bridges in the race course.
In the past, the bridges of the lower Schuylkill Bridges have been viewed as dividers, separating east and west Philadelphia. Today the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC) has a new role in mind for the city's urban crossings. Revitalizing the Schuylkill Bridges, an $83 million project, is a key component of SRDC's master plan for developing the lower banks of the Schuylkill River. In conjunction with the Philadelphia Streets Department and PENNDOT, SRDC is unveiling its plans to give the bridges a positive, visible presence serving as unifying elements along the newly revitalized riverfront, Schuylkill Banks - connecting communities to the river in a new and exciting way and increasing public access to the riverfront for the first time in decades.
"Many of the bridges have been around for a long time and have been neglected over the years," said Joe Syrnick, president and CEO of SRDC. "We would like to ultimately make them into friendly pedestrian walkways, connecting the east and west banks of the river, and unifying the neighborhoods that currently are not accessible by car or foot."
Syrnick said that starting with the Market Street Bridge, the plan calls for major improvements such as enhanced lighting, landscaping and hardscaping, painting, rehabilitated sidewalks, open parapets for better river views, benches, bike lanes, and overall architectural embellishments. The other bridges to be improved include JFK Boulevard, South Street, Walnut Street, and Chestnut Street.
According to Philadelphia Commerce Director Stephanie Naidoff, the bridge revitalization program and the Regatta are important elements in Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street's "New River City" initiative.
"Mayor Street's New River City initiative is all about connecting people to our beautiful waterfronts, and an event like the Schuylkill Banks Regatta is a fantastic way to showcase the river to a broader audience. The proposed bridge enhancements will also be a wonderful way to bring more attention to the area, and the City is very grateful for the amazing work SRDC has done and continues to do as stewards of Schuylkill Banks," said Naidoff.
The 2006 Schuylkill Banks Regatta has a new theme: "Take the 12 Bridge Challenge." With a grant from the presenting sponsor, Toll Brothers, and its Naval Square Community located along the river on Gray's Ferry Avenue, the second annual rowing event is expected to top last year's record of 600 rowers from five states and Canada. Held on the same day as the "Head of the Charles Regatta" in Boston, the Schuylkill Banks Regatta is the only race in the U.S. that incorporates 12 bridges on the course. Officiated by the Schuylkill Navy, the governing body of other races including the Dad Vail Regatta, the event is quickly becoming popular among rowers who last year rated the event as one of the best races of its kind in the country. In addition to the two-person Henley-style races, Regatta spectators will enjoy tours of the Fairmount Water Works and Schuylkill Banks, food and refreshments, and health-related activities. "This is the second year we've sponsored the regatta, and we share, along with SRDC, the belief that the river is a vital part of our future," said Paul Commito, vice president of Toll Brothers. "We also have seen first-hand how the Schuylkill Banks as a venue is transforming the lives of the people who live and work in the area, and certainly for our own Naval Square residents. We look forward to this year's event, and our emphasis on the 12 bridge theme."
The 12 bridges that comprise the race course are: the CSX, Gray's Ferry Avenue, an abandoned railroad, 34th Street (University Avenue), I-76, Christian Street Railroad, SouthStreet, Walnut Street, Chestnut, Market, JFK, and SEPTA.