City Hall
Councilmember Johnson Running for Council President
District 2 City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson announced his candidacy for city council president in February, making him one of five members running to succeed Council President Darrell Clarke. If the youthful and popular councilmember is elected by his peers, Johnson could have an impact on the city’s policies for decades.
City Releases Updated Gun Violence Resource Guide
The city of Philadelphia has released an updated guide with resources intended to help residents address gun violence in their communities. The guide is a one-stop shop for information on housing, education, employment, health, and victim’s services.
Election Update
Democratic Mayoral Nominee Parker Speaks at Building Workers March, Rally
On Tuesday, Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker joined members of Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ (SEIU 32BJ) — which represents the city’s cleaners, janitors, custodians, and window cleaners — for a march and rally in Center City in favor of wage increases and health care benefit improvements. The union will be negotiating its contracts in October.
Around Town
SEPTA to Expand Key Advantage Program to City Employees, Low-Income Residents
On Friday, nearly all city of Philadelphia employees and thousands of residents living at or near the federal poverty level will be given access to SEPTA’s Key Advantage program, which provides free fare passes to participants. The move represents the program’s largest expansion to date.
Project to Cap I-95 to Break Ground Next Week; I-95 Repair Project Ongoing
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation will break ground next week on a revolutionary $329 million project over a portion of I-95, developing a new park that reconnects Center City to the waterfront. In other interstate-related news, work crews are installing beams to replace the section of the interstate that collapsed in Northeast Philadelphia earlier this summer.
New Residential Developments Transforming Formerly Industrial Part of Kensington
A section of Kensington, north of Lehigh Avenue, is experiencing a development renaissance with approximately 1,600 new apartments proposed, under construction, or completed.
Drexel Piloting New Cell, Gene Therapy Program
Drexel University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems is piloting a new minor focused on cell and gene therapy. The new curriculum — funded by New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb — is geared toward building a technical workforce in the greater Philadelphia region to support the rapidly growing industry.
Philadelphia Students to Return to Classrooms After Labor Day Weekend
Philadelphia students return to classrooms next week amid challenges with the school district’s building conditions, and educator and bus driver staffing shortages. Here is everything that parents and guardians should know about the upcoming academic year.