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Council supports adding Geiger Street access-control agreement to legislative agenda to secure Governor’s Mansion
Summary
Council members discussed Resolution 44 authorizing negotiation of an access-control agreement with the Commonwealth Department of General Services for Geiger Street (Front–Second Streets) to improve security around the Governor’s Mansion following a targeted attack; the committee moved the resolution to the legislative agenda for a formal vote.
City staff and council members discussed a proposed agreement that would allow the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to control and maintain Geiger Street between Front and Second Streets to secure the Governor’s Mansion.
Solicitor Grover briefed council members that state officials had already blocked the street and portions of the adjacent property following “the firebombing of the Governor’s Mansion,” and that the Department of General Services (DGS) offered a “security and maintenance agreement” under which the Commonwealth would take responsibility for that portion of the right-of-way.
City Engineer Joel Saders told council members that “Geiger Street from First Street to Second Street is a relatively unused alleyway. I don't see any issue from a transportation standpoint of having that closed for a long term solution,” and he compared the draft agreement to other maintenance and utility agreements the city has with the Commonwealth.
Council members expressed support for collaboration with the Commonwealth to enhance security; no substantive objections were raised. Councilman Jones asked whether the closure could be reversed if needed; staff confirmed the agreement can allow for reversal if circumstances change.
President Hill moved to add Resolution 44 of 02/2025 — authorizing the city to negotiate and enter an access-control agreement with the Commonwealth (DGS) for Geiger Street between Front and Second Streets — to the next legislative session agenda for a formal vote. The committee referred the resolution to the legislative agenda; the work session did not record a formal adoption vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize negotiations with DGS and present the formal agreement for council action at the legislative session.
