Authorizing Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings and form a working group of City, State and Federal lawmakers and stakeholders to maximize funding for and to oversee completion of the Schuylkill River Trail, creating the region's first green transportation corridor.

WHEREAS, The Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) is a popular and heavily used recreational asset and commuter route which connects a variety of Philadelphia and Suburban neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, There are currently nine incomplete segments within Greater Philadelphia that have been identified and must be completed in order maximize and realize the full potential of the Schuylkill River Trail; and

WHEREAS, The completion of the Schuylkill River Trail would ensure the safety of residents and visitors, enhance Philadelphia's reputation as an outstanding destination for parks and recreation, and move Philadelphia further along the path of becoming a greener City; and

WHEREAS, Those nine incomplete segments are the 58th Street Connector, Bartram's Garden Path, Grey's Ferry Crossing, West Bank Schuylkill River Trail, Locust to South Street Boardwalk, Wissahickon Gateway, Cynwyd Trail Spur, Manayunk Trail Bridge and Ivy Ridge Trail; and

WHEREAS, The completion of these projects would cost an estimated twenty two million dollars; and

WHEREAS, The goal of these hearings will be to establish a working group to secure the maximum committed revenue allocation from the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Act from all Federal Representatives, and to secure supporting City and State funding from all legislators whose District includes the identified nine incomplete segments of the Schuylkill River Trail; and

WHEREAS, The working group will convene in the Fall of 2009 prior to the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Bill's consideration before Congress; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby authorizes the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings and form a working group of City, State and Federal lawmakers and stakeholders to maximize funding for and to oversee completion of the Schuylkill River Trail, creating the region's first green transportation corridor.

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