The Planning and Architecture Firm, Andropogon, was hired by Manayunk Development Corporation using state grant money to listen to the community and design a master plan for Lower Venice Island. While the entire length of Venice Island has been and continues to be under intense development pressure, the lower section of the island, from Cotton Street to the island’s southern tip below Lock Street, is slated as the location for a Philadelphia Water Department retention basin. The construction of this water retention basin has been mandated by the EPA to help to prevent raw sewage from flowing untreated into the Schuylkill River during storm and flood events. The Water Department initially indicated that it hoped to begin what it predicts will be a two year construction process in the Fall of 2005. This date is obviously past and no construction has yet begun. However, regardless of when it will actually begin or how long it will take, the EPA mandate dictates that the construction of the basin is non-negotiable, while its location on the island is more flexible. In the early community meeting that took place in February 2005, the location of the retention basin was at issue. Three choices were presented, with a fourth alternative resulting from community discussions, although no final location has been specified by the Philadelphia Water Department.