City Hall
Parker Admin Strikes Deal with DC47
Mayor Cherelle Parker reached a tentative contract agreement on Tuesday with AFSCME District Council 47, Philadelphia’s white collar City workers union. The successful negotiations prevented what could have been the city’s second strike of the month.
Community Development Grant Program Added to City Budget
A new grant added to the most recent City budget will allocate flexible capital to various community development corporations (CDCs). Currently, $3.5 million is divided across 60 different CDCs, allowing any individual organization to apply for up to $125,000 in funding.
Around Town
Chinatown Stitch Project Loses $150M in Federal Funds
The recently passed Big Beautiful Bill rescinded $150 million in federal dollars from a project designed to cap the Vine Street Expressway from 10th to 13th Street, known as “the Chinatown Stitch.” The project will continue with planning and preliminary design, but construction is on hold until new federal funding or alternative financial support is secured.
Philadelphia Bar Association Argues Transit Funding is Imperative
In an opinion piece for City & State Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Katayun Jaffari argues that sufficient state funding for SEPTA is imperative to provide the public adequate access to the state’s courts.
All Former UArts Buildings Sold
All former University of the Arts (UArts) buildings have been sold, netting nearly $75 million combined. The 760,000 square feet will either be converted to or remain residential property, excluding three of the buildings, which will continue to be used in the arts industry.
CCD Recommends Improvements to City’s Problematic Alleys
Center City District (CCD) reported that the city’s alleyways are in dire straits, often cluttered with trash, defaced with graffiti, and lacking adequate shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The report included several recommendations to transform Philadelphia’s unsafe and unkempt alleys into welcoming corridors.
New App Allows City Residents to Report Parking Violations to PPA
Philly Bike Action’s new “Laser Vision” app will allow Philadelphians to report parking violations directly to the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) by submitting a picture of the offense, which will automatically fill in the necessary data.
Drexel, Penn Partner with Philly Startup to Tackle Move-Out Waste
Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania are partnering with Philadelphia-based startup Rego to streamline student move-outs by making it easier to donate unwanted items, reducing landfill waste and easing neighborhood disruptions.
PHL Receives Rave Review from Frequent Flyer
Frequent flyer Kiki Aranita disputed the exclusion of the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) from The Washington Post’s recently published list of the country’s top 50 airports, citing PHL’s abundant food options, luxurious lounges, and pet relief areas.
Rep. Boyle Named “Most Effective” PA Delegation Member in Congress
The University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University’s Center for Effective Lawmaking named Philadelphia U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-02) the most effective lawmaker in Pennsylvania’s delegation in the 118th Congress.
Suburban Spotlight
National Study Finds PFAS in Bucks, Montco Residents’ Blood
An eight-state nationwide study found that 99% of people who lived near water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) tested positive for five different PFAS compounds. Specifically, Bucks and Montgomery County participants who lived close to military bases and drank from private wells ingested water with PFAS concentrations thousands of times over the federal limits.