# Francisville: An End to Vacant Lots?

“Francisville is filled with vacant lots and we are working hard to stabilize them,” said Penelope Giles, the president of the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corp. [![](https://phillyn-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/26021651/sp1123Francisvillevacantlot-300x225.jpg)](https://phillyn-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/26021651/sp1123Francisvillevacantlot.jpg)Five percent of Philadelphia's land consists of vacant lots. Recently, the Planning Commission of Philadelphia has released a draft of the first comprehensive plan for the city called “Philadelphia 2035.” The plan entails how the commission intends to improve the city through new innovative concepts that will hopefully bring about a brighter, more employed Philadelphia. The plan involves steps such as increasing housing choices, providing better access to healthy foods and managing vacant lots. However, the draft still needs to be approved later in the spring when local plans will be developed. Giles said she is thrilled with the plan’s intent to help the vacant lot issue, which has been a problem in her neighborhood for a long time. She said she is also excited by the prospect of more green space in the city. The Francisville Neighborhood Development Corp. also runs a natural environment maintenance program which is working hard to incorporate pocket parks into the historic neighborhood. Sharon Hale Jenkins, a longtime resident of Francisville, said she is pleased that change is spreading throughout the neighborhood and added that she hopes the plan will help create a balanced amount of green space.