WHEREAS, Joseph R. Syrnick was born on December 19, 1946 in Philadelphia and was raised in Manayunk. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1964 and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from Drexel University in 1969 and 1971 respectively, laying the foundation for his career in public service; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Mr. Syrnick began his career with the Philadelphia Streets Department, where he spent 34 years overseeing hundreds of public works and infrastructure projects to support the functionality and safety of the City; and
WHEREAS,
In 1986, he was appointed Chief Engineer and Surveyor for the Streets Department, supervising major projects such as the Schuylkill Expressway reconstruction, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive improvements, South Broad Street streetlight and tree installation, and safety enhancements in Fairmount Park and along Kelly Drive; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Syrnick’s leadership advanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the City. He is responsible for the beautification of Penrose Avenue, the creation of a bikeway in Schuylkill River Park, and countless collaborations with civic partners to enhance alternative transportation and public space
; and
WHEREAS, Following his retirement from the Streets Department in 2005, he became President and CEO of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), the nonprofit organization working in partnership with public agencies to revitalize the Schuylkill River corridor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Syrnick’s engineering expertise and deep familiarity with City, State, and Federal agencies and City Council enabled SRDC to secure millions of dollars in funding and successfully deliver numerous complex capital projects, including Grays Ferry Crescent, the CSX Connector Bridge, the Schuylkill River Boardwalk, Bartram’s Mile, the Christian to Crescent Connector Bridge, and the long-awaited Swing Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Syrnick is remembered transforming the once-inaccessible industrial riverfront into a continuous, world-class public trail and greenway connecting neighborhoods and expanding access to the Schuylkill River; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
Hereby honors th
e life and legacy of Joseph R. Syrnick for his distinguished career of public service to the City of Philadelphia and his visionary leadership in transforming the Schuylkill River Corridor, Trail, and Waterfront
.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Mr. Joseph Syrnick’s family as a symbol of the City of Philadelphia’s appreciation.
End