Transforming the Waterfront

Joseph A. Forkin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC). He oversees the day-to-day operations and management of the non-profit corporation responsible for maintaining, programming and redeveloping the Central Delaware Waterfront District. He is a key strategist in waterfront planning, zoning, and development, having participated in over $900 million of waterfront redevelopment, including parks, trails, creative placemaking, infrastructure improvements, and private development. 

Mr. Forkin was instrumental in the development of the award winning Master Plan for the Central Delaware; he was a leader in a campaign to secure over $900M in funding to build critical infrastructure assets and attractions needed to elevate the marketing of the Waterfront District, to create new public access to the River, and to incentivize private development; he is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the design, development, marketing, and construction of Riverfront parks and attractions.  He is DRWC’s liaison with City, State, and Federal government agencies and officials.

Under Mr. Forkin’s leadership, DRWC has directly completed $100 million of public capital investments, leading to the successful opening of 11 major projects, with 8 more currently underway. The DRWC's strategic efforts have attracted $1.11 billion in private development investment, fostering the creation of 13,000 jobs. The market value of the waterfront area has increased by $1.06 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 140%. In addition, the DRWC proudly hosts hundreds of events every year, most of which are free to the public, showcasing and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Philadelphia's communities.

Mr. Forkin lives along the Delaware River in the East Torresdale section of Philadelphia with his wife, Heather, and his three children.