Phila. leaders aim to reinvigorate city at summit

Philadelphia will take back its place among the great cities of the world -- at least according to the message delivered at the Philadelphia 21st Century Economic Development Summit last night.

Under the looming presence of the giant ships at the city's naval shipyard, a roomful of Philadelphia leaders met to open the day-long forum.

The summit was Mayor John Street's brainchild, designed to produce creative ideas to reinvigorate the city's economy.

Taking the stage to the sounds of heavy applause and a catchy beat, the mayor opened the summit by speaking of his vision for the future.

Using the crane as a symbol for economic growth and development, Street told the crowd, "There are not enough cranes in this city. ... If you get left behind in the 21st century, I don't know when you catch up."

Street's Director of Commerce, Stephanie Naidoff, also spoke at the function, highlighting the importance of the city's college students.

Naidoff pointed out that there are 83 colleges and universities and approximately 300,000 students in the city, and that efforts to retain these students -- by creating jobs and housing opportunities -- are vital to the goal of improving the city.

On the high-tech backdrop of six plasma TV screens with flashing fonts that read, "Why Here?" and "Breaking Barriers," Naidoff also catered to the twenty-something crowd by insisting on Philadelphia's cultural cache.

"If you have any doubt that we are cool, just watch Real World on MTV," Naidoff said.

But despite an atmosphere of optimism in the room, there was at least one outspoken critic of the mayor's economic policies in attendance.

"I don't see any economists in city government," said Anita Summers, a professor emeritus at the Wharton School. "Like, none. I don't see a major economic adviser to the mayor."

Summers, who participated in the summit, said she is hoping to bring a much-needed academic perspective to the economic development of the city.

The ultimate goal of the meeting was to produce an economic development blueprint, outlining all of the actions the city should take in this area. The blueprint will serve as a guide to the mayor in his final three years.

Street said he hopes to create an overarching plan in order to better use resources. For example, he would like to eliminate competition among Philadelphia projects for the same federal money.

Street also focused on past positive achievements of the city, fueling his confidence for future milestones.

These achievements included the planting of 7,000 trees in the city last year, the renewal of 82 out of 83 major Center City businesses' office leases and the creation of funds for every student who wants to attend college.

Philadelphia is "a wonderful place to live," Street said. "A wonderful place to work, a wonderful place to visit. But we can do better."

Leaders at the summit represented a variety of organizations, including PECO Energy Company, Wachovia, Freshgrocer and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

In addition to Summers, Penn representatives who participated in the summit include Carol de Fries -- the executive director of the Office of Government, Community and Public Affairs -- as well as Department of City and Regional Planning Chairwoman Eugenie Birch and Wharton professors Robert Inman, Monica McGrath and Susan Wachter.

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