Commending Joseph R. Syrnick for his Thirty-Four Years of Service to the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Joseph R. Syrnick began his service with the City of Philadelphia in the Streets Department as a Graduate Engineer in 1970; and

WHEREAS, For the next seventeen years, Joe was consistently promoted starting as Civil Engineer I and becoming the City's Chief Engineer and Surveyor in 1987; and

WHEREAS, For the past seventeen years as the City's Chief Engineer and Surveyor, Joe was responsible for managing the six Survey Districts, and for revising and updating the City Plan. He also oversaw the Bridge Unit and supervised the Transportation Engineering and Planning Unit, thus having overall responsibility for the 2400 miles of streets that constitutes the City's roadway system; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure, Joe has had direct responsibility for major initiatives which have completely transformed the appearance of Philadelphia's roadways, streetscapes, bridges and commercial districts, including such pivotal projects as: the Germantown Avenue Bridge; the Vine Street Expressway; the streetscape for the Avenue of the Arts, North and South; the Market Street East streetscape improvements; the re-opening of Chestnut Street to traffic; and, the renovation of the Strawberry Mansion Bridge; and

WHEREAS, For the past thirty-four years, Joe Syrnick has served the citizens of this City with a true sense of dedication, sincerity and commitment; and

WHEREAS, Though leaving City government, Joe will continue to serve this City and its citizens in his new role as Executive Director of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby commend Joseph R. Syrnick for his thirty-four years of service to the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph R. Syrnick as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body for the positive impact he has made on Philadelphia's roadways, streetscapes and bridges.

End