Broad Street Brief: How a City-Led Redesign Made a Dangerous Intersection Safer

City Hall

City May Revive Fairmount Park Police Unit for World Cup

As Philadelphia prepares for a landmark summer of sports in 2026—including the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and PGA Championship, in addition to the nation’s Semiquincentennial—City officials are considering reinstating the disbanded 92nd Police District to patrol Fairmount Park, citing safety precautions and an expected increase in park activity. A City Council hearing in September will explore the proposal.

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DC 33 Ratifies Contract After Strike Ends

Members of Philadelphia’s AFSCME District Council 33 ratified their new contract—featuring 3% annual raises, a $1,500 bonus, and expanded leave benefits—two weeks after the deal was reached with the City following an eight-day strike. The deal prevents further strikes for three years and maintains the union’s health fund structure.

Renee Chenault-Fattah Tapped to Lead City’s Civil Rights Agency

Attorney and former NBC10 anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah was appointed by Mayor Cherelle Parker to lead the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, the City’s civil rights and fair housing agency.

Enforcement of Kensington Mobile Services Ban Delayed

Philadelphia officials postponed enforcement of a new law restricting mobile service units in Kensington due to an unfinished permit process, leaving some outreach groups uncertain about how to comply.

Around Town

A Look at the City-Led Redesign of a Crash-Prone Intersection

According to the City’s 2024 Vision Zero report, Philadelphians are four times more likely to die from traffic violence than New Yorkers, with a majority of crashes occurring near intersections. The Philadelphia Inquirer details the eight-year-long redesign of one of the city’s most crash-prone areas—led by City agencies and shaped by community input—to mitigate risks by introducing traffic-calming measures, improving pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, and enhancing accessibility.

Philly Defies National Housing Trend with Rise in New Listings

While new home listings across the U.S. fell 3.4% in June compared to last year, the Philadelphia region saw an increase—up 0.4% in the city and Delaware County, and 3.4% in surrounding suburbs—thanks to its relative affordability and steady demand.

Barnes Shares Interactive Learning Tech with Cultural Institutions

The Barnes Foundation is licensing its custom-built Visual Experience Platform—developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance online art education—to other institutions, starting with the Penn Museum, as part of a broader effort to expand its educational reach and digital innovation.

Philadelphia School District Restructures Student Services Leadership

Brenda Elliott, a former Tennessee state education official, was appointed associate superintendent of student life and innovation, replacing two outgoing roles as part of a reorganization aimed at enhancing student support and operational efficiency.

State-Appointed SEPTA Prosecutor Begins Work

Special Prosecutor Michael Untermeyer, appointed under a contested state law, is now prosecuting crimes on SEPTA despite opposition from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and an ongoing state Supreme Court case. The move comes as serious crime on the transit system continues to decline and fare enforcement intensifies.

Federal Policy Shifts Impacting Philly Workforce, Cultural Institutions

Proposed federal cuts to economic development and arts funding are threatening existing workforce training programs and cultural institutions across the city. Meanwhile a review of historical exhibits at Independence National Historical Park has sparked debate over how the nation’s past is publicly represented.

Philadelphia Sees Uptick in Union Organizing Across Sectors

Union organizing efforts are gaining traction across Philadelphia this summer, with hospitality workers advocating for updated contracts ahead of major 2026 events and postdoctoral researchers at the University of Pennsylvania voting to unionize.

Election Update

City GOP Courts Dugan for November DA Run

The Republican City Committee is polling voters to see if Judge Pat Dugan, who unsuccessfully ran in the Democratic primary for district attorney but won the Republican nomination via write-in, could mount a viable challenge in the general election. Dugan has until August 11 to accept or decline the nomination, though he previously stated he would decline.

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