We're a Community

Hey, Neighbor!

To be successful, The Bellwether District needs to support the community it’s joining. That’s why we’re engaging directly with the people of Philadelphia, leveraging our expertise and innovative solutions to create positive change for generations. Here you can get the latest news and information on The Bellwether District, including construction notices, community meeting details, and local updates.

Last year, HRP executives gave us an inside look at The Bellwether District. A lot of work needed to be done to transform it from an oil refinery to a 1300-acre state-of-the-art e-commerce, life science, and logistics campus. Watch the update video to find out what we've done since then.

What’s Changed at The Bellwether District

After taking ownership of the former PES refinery in 2020, Hilco Redevelopment Partners has worked to transform the 1300-acre property and are committed to improve the environment for all Philadelphians.

Environmental remediation is a complex process. It takes years, but Hilco Redevelopment Partners is committed to the hard work of cleaning and dismantling the former PES refinery and transforming it into The Bellwether District. We specialize in challenging remediation projects just like this and we’re in it for the long haul.

Here's What We've Done So Far

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Reduced Philly’s Emissions by 16%

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Removed 99% of Legacy Petroleum Products

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Committed to Building Facilities that Support Solar Panels

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Removed Half of the 950 Miles of Pipeline

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Collaborated with Local Environmental Groups to Ensure a Greener Philadelphia

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Committed to Planting Thousands of New Trees

Updates and Site Activity

Julianna Connolly is HRP's expert in environmental remediation. In this video she answers common questions about benzene monitoring, remediation technology, and the ways environmental cleanup is transforming The Bellwether District.

HRP Sponsors Pre-apprenticeship Program for Philadelphia Residents

A program sponsored by HRP to prepare individuals for entrance into apprenticeship programs in the construction trades as well as other employment opportunities in the construction industry.

HRP Sponsors Pre-apprenticeship Program for Philadelphia Residents

A program sponsored by HRP to prepare individuals for entrance into apprenticeship programs in the construction trades as well as other employment opportunities in the construction industry.

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    Read Letters of Support from Leaders in Your Community

    We're proud to be a part of the future of Philadelphia, which is why the support of the community is so important to us.

    James F. Kenney preview

    As part of redevelopment, soil will be relocated to raise the ground surface elevations above base flood elevations. Prior to acquiring the property, HRP submitted a Soil Management Plan to PADEP and USEPA for their approval. The Soil Management Plan establishes requirements for soil sample collection and analysis to identify where soils can be appropriately relocated. The Soil Management Plan is not a Cleanup Plan; Cleanup Plans will be submitted separately and will be available for public comment. Reports associated with soil management, including the 2020 Soil Management Plan, are shared on this page.

    As part of redevelopment, HRP will remove hundreds of storage tanks. Soil sampling is required beneath Aboveground Storage Tanks to obtain regulatory closure under the Pennsylvania’s Storage Tank Program (Act 32). Reports associated with tank closure sampling are shared on this page.

    HRP is responsible for cleaning up soil and groundwater contamination that occurred at the property after September 2012. This cleanup work will be completed under Pennsylvania’s Voluntary Cleanup Program referred to as the Land Recycling Program or Act 2. Reports associated with HRP’s soil and groundwater remediation work are shared on this page.

    Reports associated with cleanup of contamination that occurred prior to September 2012 are shared on Evergreen’s website: https://phillyrefinerycleanup.info/

    Beginning in 2018, benzene monitoring was conducted at the perimeter of the property as required by the Petroleum Refinery Sector Rule. Benzene data collected as part of this monitoring is shared on this page. Benzene concentrations measured at the perimeter of the property are consistent with typical benzene concentrations measured in urban areas, like Philadelphia.