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.
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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
Reduced Philly’s Emissions by 16%
Removed 99% of Legacy Petroleum Products
Committed to Building Facilities that Support Solar Panels
Removed Half of the 950 Miles of Pipeline
Collaborated with Local Environmental Groups to Ensure a Greener Philadelphia
Committed to Planting Thousands of New Trees
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The Bellwether District and Philadelphia Eagles Team Up to Celebrate Earth Day
Our team celebrated Earth Day 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles at Finnegan Playground celebrating Sustainability Heroes in Philadelphia. HRP awarded $75,000 to local environmental nonprofits in a ceremony that followed our Earth Day community cleanup to re-paint, re-plant, refresh and revitalize the park with local nonprofit organizations and community volunteers. Read more here.
The Bellwether District and Philadelphia Eagles Team Up to Celebrate Earth Day
Our team celebrated Earth Day 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles at Finnegan Playground celebrating Sustainability Heroes in Philadelphia. HRP awarded $75,000 to local environmental nonprofits in a ceremony that followed our Earth Day community cleanup to re-paint, re-plant, refresh and revitalize the park with local nonprofit organizations and community volunteers. Read more here.
Community Updates
Community Updates
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
Mayor, City of Philadelphia
Learn More
Ryan N. Boyer
Business Manager, Laborers District Council
Learn More
Steven Scott Bradley
Chairman, African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA NJ and DE
Learn More
H. Patrick Clancy
President & CEO, Philadelphia Works
Learn More
Phillip T. Eastman, Jr.
Senior Manager,
Economic & Business Development PECOLearn More
Steven Koplove
Lifelong Philadelphia Resident, Senators Baseball
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Michael Hand
Assistant Executive Secretary Treasurer, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
Learn More
Benjamin J. Connors
President & CEO, General Building Contractors Association
Learn More
Anthony Meadows
President, South Philly Sigma Sharks
Learn More
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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.
Environmental Reports
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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.
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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.
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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/
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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.
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As part of redevelopment, an Air Monitoring program will be implemented along the Site perimeter during earthwork activities. The data collected as part of this monitoring will be shared on this page. Air monitoring involves standard monitoring functions for environmental projects in accordance with the US EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs).
Environmental Reports
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.
As part of redevelopment, an Air Monitoring program will be implemented along the Site perimeter during earthwork activities. The data collected as part of this monitoring will be shared on this page. Air monitoring involves standard monitoring functions for environmental projects in accordance with the US EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs).
