5th Square is providing the following press release in reaction to Mayor Parker’s creation and appointment of Streets Commissioner 

February 5, 2024
For Immediate Release

PHILADELPHIA --

5th Square Chair Steph Davis says, “For far too long, Philadelphia has combined transportation operations with sanitation in the Streets Department. Consequently, transportation priorities are subsumed by the larger sanitation operations in terms of budget and staffing.”

“With the Mayor’s announcement and appointment today of separate streets and sanitation commissioners, we are hopeful that this means a shift in how City government approaches our streets.” 

“We call for more efficiency, transparency, and accountability when it comes to roadway planning, design and construction.  We seek a Streets Department that will work more aggressively to implement the policy priorities of Mayor’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS)”  

“This move towards a dedicated department for streets will also bring Philadelphia in line with peer cities such as Baltimore, Chicago, and Oakland.”

“With this structural shift, Philadelphia will be more capable of - and must work harder at - achieving more ambitious progress towards Vision Zero. Particularly, by accelerating traffic-calming, prioritizing pedestrian improvements, and expanding its high quality bicycle network.”

“We look forward to working with, and holding accountable, Streets Commissioner Kristin Del Rossi in achieving these goals together.”