Council authorizes MOU with Philadelphia Union Foundation to renovate Seventh Street Park courts; staff to clarify "no substantial cost" language
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Summary
Council authorized an MOU with the Philadelphia Union Foundation and Love.futbol to co-develop a soccer pitch and renovate three basketball courts at Seventh Street Park; council asked staff to provide a line‑by‑line breakdown of any potential city costs after public concern about the phrase "no substantial cost to the city."
City Council authorized a memorandum of understanding on Oct. 22 with the Philadelphia Union Foundation and Love.futbol, Inc. to renovate three basketball courts and build a small soccer pitch at Seventh Street Park.
The MOU, as presented and approved, includes the phrase "with no substantial cost to the city." During public comment a resident asked what that phrase meant in practical terms; the resident said it sounded vague and left the city exposed to potential costs. Council members and staff discussed the language on the record and agreed to provide a more detailed, line‑item explanation of what the city would expect to cover, if anything.
City staff explained the Philadelphia Union Foundation and affiliated donors are funding the construction and most project costs. Staff and council advised that the likely "soft costs" for the city would be permit fees, some staff time for coordination, and potentially minor insurance adjustments during the improvements' lifespan. At the meeting a council member noted a typical permit could be roughly $125 as an example and said staff would provide a full breakdown.
Council authorized the mayor or a proper city official to sign the MOU. Council also recorded unanimous approval by roll call.
Clarifying details and next steps: - The foundation and donors are funding construction; the city owns the park property and must authorize work and issue permits. - Staff agreed to return a line‑item estimate that will show whether any ‘‘substantial’’ cost is anticipated and to identify which costs would be the city's responsibility (permit fees, staff time, insurance adjustments). The city said permit fees are expected to be nominal (staff cited about $125 as an example), but full accounting will be provided for transparency. - The MOU authorizes the city to execute the agreement and does not itself obligate a separate capital expenditure beyond any minor permitting or administrative costs specified later.
Provenance: public comment question about "no substantial cost" appears in the transcript during the agenda public comment period (approx. 00:05:17 into the meeting) and the council MOU resolution is on the ordinances/resolutions portion of the agenda (around 00:37:00).