PHILADELPHIA— Today the city announced that the Rebuild Initiative launched a new website offering information about the program’s $500 million community investment to revitalize neighborhood parks, recreation centers, libraries, and playgrounds across the city.

The website, found at rebuild.phila.gov, will be an information hub to share the progress of the initiative over time and tell residents how to get involved.

“We have been hearing a lot of excitement about Rebuild and are thrilled that we now have a resource to show how Rebuild is so much more than just a capital program,” said Nicole Westerman, Executive Director for Rebuild. “We want to make smart investments in our neighborhood parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, and libraries, but Rebuild is about investing in the residents that live in those neighborhoods as well.  The new site will be key in keeping the communities throughout the city connected and informed.”

Westerman encourages users to visit the site frequently for additional updates in the coming months and says the website will be a place where people can go to receive information about news, events, and opportunities to get involved. “I hope residents, vendors, community groups, and everyone interested in Rebuild will sign up for our email list, learn how to get involved and share the exciting developments in the coming months and years.”

In addition to investing into the city’s parks, recreation centers and libraries, Rebuild is designed to find new and exciting ways for residents to participate in site improvements, build the capacity of neighborhood groups and organizations, and create jobs and economic opportunity for underserved residents and businesses.

Community involvement is integral to the Rebuild’s success and the website is an extension of that goal.  For example, the site will be used to as a resource and hub in recruiting residents to participate in an apprentice ready program to prepare them for contracting jobs. The website will also provide information about contracting opportunities for diverse companies, community meetings, and construction progress.

Westerman says that as the initiative evolves, more features will be added to the site. “Over time we hope to incorporate interactive maps, blog posts for residents to tell their stories, and other ways to share how Rebuild is helping make our neighborhoods stronger.”