Broad Street Brief: 76ers’ Arena Impact Study; “Bidenomics”; PHL Wait Times

July 21, 2023

City Hall

City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Potential Use of Independent Authority to Bond, Manage School Facilities Modernization

In early August, the City Council’s Committee on Education will hold a public hearing investigating if Philadelphia should use an independent authority to bond and manage the City’s school facilities modernization project. The idea was put forward by Education Committee Chair Isaiah Thomas (Councilmember At-Large) earlier this spring.

Around Town

Sixers to Pay for City’s Impact Study on Proposed Center City Arena

Yesterday, the Sixers announced that they plan to foot the bill for the City’s impact study on the franchise’s proposed $1.3 billion downtown arena. The City will be responsible for overseeing the study.

President Biden Visits Philadelphia for Sixth Time This Year, This Time to Tout “Bidenomics”

Pennsylvania native, President Joe Biden is no stranger to the City of Brotherly Love — today marks his sixth visit to Philadelphia this year and 13th since taking office in January 2021. The president will be discussing his economic agenda, also known as “Bidenomics.”

New Business Applications Decline in Philadelphia Region

According to new Census Bureau and IRS data, the number of new business applications in the Philadelphia region fell 16% last year from the year prior, compared to a 6.6% dip nationwide in the same time period.

PHL Now Providing Estimated Wait Times for Security Lines

The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) recently unveiled new sensors that measure “passenger dwell time” at three of six security checkpoints in order to provide estimated wait times for travelers. The approximate wait times are updated every 30 seconds and can be viewed on screens throughout the airport or online.

Pew Charitable Trusts Announces $6.55 Million in Grants for Local Mental, Behavioral Health Nonprofits

Five local children- and adolescent-focused mental and behavioral health nonprofits — the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, the Center for Families and Relationships, Child Guidance Resource Center, Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, and Penn Medicine’s Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Center at Hall-Mercer — have been awarded a collective $6.55 million in grants by Pew Charitable Trusts.

Historical Commission Okays Demolition to Make Way for New Health Northeast Philly Center

Last Friday, the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted 7-4 to approve the demolition of a historic building on the Friends Hospital campus, the proposed location for a new public health center.

Medical Examiner Failed to Communicate Timeline of Kingsessing Mass Shooting Deaths to Law Enforcement

Until several days into the investigation, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly neglected to inform law enforcement of the July 3 Kingsessing shooter’s additional victim, who had been killed a full 30 hours prior to the mass shooting. The reason for this miscommunication is still not clear.

Suburban Spotlight

“Scaled-Back” Search for Two Missing Children Continues in Wake of Bucks County Flash Flooding

Authorities are scaling back the search for two young children who went missing during the Bucks County flash flooding over the weekend. The floods claimed the lives of at least five people, including the missing children’s mother.

Whitemarsh Township Freight Train Derailment May Have Been Caused by Sinkhole

A sinkhole in the rail bed — as well as recent spate of rainy weather throughout the region — may be to blame for the Monday morning derailment of 15 cars of a CSX freight train in Whitemarsh Township in Montgomery County. There were no injuries or any known threats to the general public.

Surrounding Cities, Towns Increasingly Blame Insufficient Public Safety Efforts in Philadelphia for Local Crimes

Philadelphia’s reputation for insufficient public safety has been the subject of ire from surrounding cities and towns. Most recently, Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy blamed the lax policies of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for a recent attempted child abduction in Abington, due to the accused’s extensive criminal history in Philadelphia and Montgomery County. Earlier this month, City Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson demanded an apology from Camden County Board of Commissioners Director Louis Cappelli Jr. after he referred to Philadelphia as a “society of lawlessness” when discussing the fatal shooting of a Camden six-year-old.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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