WHEREAS, In January 2023, SEPTA announced, on its website, that it would begin an improvement project that would give the Market Frankford Line a “much-needed facelift”; and
WHEREAS, According to its website, this project includes sandblasting and painting of steel girders; and steel support structures along the east end of the Market-Frankford Elevated Line; and
WHEREAS, This project would be performed by a third-party contractor from Monday through Sunday, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, Residents impacted by this project have raised concerns regarding lack of proper notice of the impact this project would have on their neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Residents have voiced concern regarding the potential contaminants released by sandblasting; and
WHEREAS, Complaints have been received regarding the endless noise emanating from this project for 12 hours each day; and
WHEREAS, This Council would like to explore the use of minority owned businesses as third-party contractors for SEPTA’s projects; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Council calls for the Committee on Transportation and Public Utility to hold public hearings to investigate the impact SEPTA’s Market Frankford Line Painting Project is having on surrounding communities and determine whether SEPTA has been responsive to community complaints during the course of this project; and explore SEPTA’s commitment to contracting minority owned businesses for its projects.
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