Rebuild Executive Director Nicole Westerman announced the members of the Rebuild Oversight Board, a diverse coalition responsible for reviewing Rebuild’s progress and making recommendations on program implementation.
Rebuild is a $500 million investment in neighborhood parks, recreation centers and libraries. Proposed in Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s first budget as a part of his vision for a more equitable Philadelphia, Rebuild seeks to improve pivotal community spaces, empower and engage communities, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.
Rebuild is a public private partnership made possible by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax.
The Oversight Board meetings will be held quarterly and are open to the public. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 6:00 p.m. at Kingsessing Recreation Center (4901 Kingsessing Avenue).
The Oversight Board, which will be chaired by Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia Michael DiBerardinis, will include city officials, community leaders and subject matter experts to ensure a diversity of perspectives and insights. The meetings will also serve as a public forum for Philadelphians to learn more about Rebuild and to ask questions directly to Rebuild staff members.
“As one of many mechanisms Rebuild has put in place to ensure that we live up to our commitment as a program that improves public spaces, empowers and engages community members, and promotes economic opportunities for individuals and businesses, the Oversight Board will be critical to the program’s success. Not only will the board make recommendations to Rebuild about the program, the meetings are an important way for us to be transparent and engage openly with the public,” said Westerman. “I want to thank the individuals who have graciously agreed to serve on the Rebuild Oversight Board and help us make Rebuild the best program it can be.”
The Rebuild Oversight Board members are:
- Michael DiBerardinis, Managing Director, City of Philadelphia;
- Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Chair, Committee on Parks and Recreation;
- Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell;
- Councilman Bobby Henon;
- Rob Dubow, Director, Finance;
- Harold Epps, Deputy Managing Director for Commerce;
- Anne Fadullon, Director, Planning and Development;
- Ellen Kaplan, Chief Integrity Officer;
- Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation;
- Siobhan Reardon, President, Free Library of Philadelphia;
- Greg Allen, Chair of the Rebuild Committee, The Commission on Parks and Recreation;
- Valerie Cofield, President and CEO, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC);
- Janet Haas, Board Chair, William Penn Foundation;
- Stacy Holland, Educational Consultant;
- Floyd Lebron, Risk Manager, Dale Corporation;
- Belinda Mayo, former Director of Neighborhood Program Coordination, OHCD; and
- Antonio Valdes, Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center.