Open Streets helps businesses, Transit in the City Budget & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Center City car-free streets increased sales for local businesses. Center City District released a comprehensive report on the Open Streets program implemented in Rittenhouse Square and the Gayborhood over the past two years. The report found that car-free streets had positive impacts, including a 38% sales increase for local businesses. Open Streets will be back up and running with 20 new dates starting on Sundays in April. Philly Voice

Public transit access as part of Parker’s City Budget. Public transportation advocates with Transit Forward Philadelphia are celebrating the release of Mayor Parker’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 City Budget. In her proposal, Parker includes funding for the Zero Fare Program for low-income riders, the SEPTA Key Advantage program for municipal employees, and city transportation projects. In a statement, Stephen Bronskill, the Transit Forward Philadelphia Coalition Manager, said, “[T]ransit riders should not have to balance paying for food, medical care, and bus fare.”

Clean and Green litter campaigns continue. Although City budgets for the previous two years have included new initiatives for fighting litter and illegal dumping, Mayor Parker is not making changes to the current anti-litter efforts in the 2027 budget. Rather, Parker said the initiatives are paying off and that they will continue to be supported. City Council will hold hearings on the proposed budget over the next three months in order to pass a budget before July 1. WHYY

Street tree applications close April 1. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society provides free street trees through its Tree Tenders program. Street trees provide drainage for rainwater runoff, protection from sun and rain, reduced air temperatures, and carbon capture. PHS Tree Tender groups are mapped out here, and applications for Fall 2026 close on April 1.

Cover photo: Philadelphia Open Streets program, courtesy of Center City District