Local elected officials, organizations gather to celebrate funding for street rehabilitation in Washington Square West
Rep. Ben Waxman September 17, 2024 | 4:24 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 17 – Today, state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., hosted a news conference at the intersection of Locust Street and Quince Street to celebrate state funding for the rehabilitation of historic streets in the Washington Square West neighborhood.
This funding, worth $1.4 million, came from the Pennsylvania Multimodal Transportation Fund. It will be used for the rehab of five streets in the Washington Square West Historic District, including sections of Quince, Irving, Manning, Hutchinson and Bonaparte.
"This project is a vital investment in Washington Square West, preserving the historic character of our streets while enhancing safety and accessibility for everyone,” Waxman said. “With the World Cup and our nation's semiquincentennial approaching, this project is the perfect way to show off the heart and history of our city to the world.”
Waxman was joined by local elected officials and individuals from local organizations including City Councilmember Mark Squilla; Richard Montanez, First Deputy Commissioner, Philadelphia Streets Department; Paul Steinke, Preservation Alliance; and Tami Sortman, Washington Square West Civic Association.
“I fully support additional funding for historic streets,” said Squilla. “They are integral to the fabric of the surrounding community and the City of Philadelphia as a whole.”
"This $1.4 million infrastructure investment will help to restore a total of five roadways within the city’s Right-of-Way and will expand roadway accessibility and economic opportunity in the city,” said Montanez. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure will improve roadway conditions for all modes and users while helping to make Philadelphia’s transportation infrastructure safer. Most importantly it highlights the importance of collaborating with other governmental agencies to help fund key roadway infrastructure projects.”
“I’ve long thought that Philadelphia’s secret urban power is its narrow lanes and byways like Quince,” said Steinke. “We need to preserve them and treat them with the respect they deserve.”
Sortman evoked the celebrated past of the neighborhood and its significance not only to the city but our national personality. "The historic streets of Washington Square West are not just a reminder of the past; they are a vital part of our identity and legacy,” Sortman said.
The rehabilitation of these streets will consist of granite block repointing/resetting, select areas of new granite block, resetting granite header and installing ADA ramps. It will be focused in two location clusters of the neighborhood.