Mural Arts Institute closure, bike rack permits, budget hearings & more

Bike Rack. Photo by Katelyn Wamsey on UnSplash

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

PennDOT to repair potholes in Philly region. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has responded to almost 7,000 concerns regarding potholes since the beginning of the year. Road closures are to be expected over the coming week as the repair efforts continue. Climate change-induced temperature swings are multiplying potholes annually. NBC 10 Philadelphia

The arduous permitting process leads to lack of public bike racks. Finding a place to park a bicycle in the city can be difficult, say advocates with Philly Bike Action. One reason is due to a permitting process that is long and complicated, discouraging businesses and homeowners from applying. The City says that it plans “to work with partners and stakeholders to streamline the process.” City Council also hopes to install new bike racks as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. Billy Penn

Mural Arts Institute closes after eight years. Due to funding cuts to the program, Mural Arts Philadelphia will be closing the Mural Arts Institute. The Institute focused on connecting artists and building relationships with community leaders for socially engaged public art, like the 2022-2025 Strength Through Solidarity: the Art and Environmental Justice Co-Learning Initiative. Resources and tools will still be available on the Institute’s website.

Office of Clean and Green Initiatives proposes a budget increase. The Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, created by Mayor Parker, oversees waste disposal, beautification, and greening efforts in the city. Clean and Green is seeking a 2.1% budget increase for the 2027 fiscal year to cover labor costs, additional illegal dumping surveillance, and the expansion of the twice-weekly trash collection program. At the budget hearing, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier questioned the administration’s contract with Reworld trash incinerator, continuing to push for the Stop Trashing Our Air Act. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Backlog of trees in need of pruning or removal. Philadelphia reportedly has a backlog of nearly 30,000 trees in need of attention. Erica Smith-Fichman, the City Forester, told City Council that the current tree budget will not make up for the backlog. Councilmembers noted that neglecting tree pruning and removal is a safety hazard. KYW Newsradio

Cover photo: Photo by Katelyn Wamsley on Unsplash

Angie Bacha

Angie Bacha (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based solutions journalist and recent Erasmus Mundus Master's in Journalism, Media and Globalisation student in Aarhus, Denmark. Previously, she worked as a student journalist at Community College of Philadelphia and Editorial Intern at Resolve Philly. Some other hats she has worn: Human Rights and Theatre Studies graduate; teaching artist; carpenter; AmeriCorps volunteer; and rock climbing gym shift supervisor.