City Council adopts multiple resolutions, renames stretch of South Broad for Teddy Pendergrass

Philadelphia City Council adopted a series of resolutions at its May 15 session that included renaming a block of South Broad Street for entertainer Teddy Pendergrass and declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

The council also approved multiple Land Bank disposals and several proclamations and honorary resolutions recognizing anniversaries, community festivals and civic leaders. The votes were taken during the second-reading and final-passage portion of the agenda; most measures were adopted by voice vote. Resolution 250461, renaming South Broad Street between Pine and Lombard Streets as Teddy Pendergrass Way, was adopted following a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The ceremonial and administrative measures collectively signal the council’s alignment on neighborhood recognitions, community commemorations and several land-use and development housekeeping actions. The Land Bank authorizations clear a set of city-owned parcels for disposition under Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code, a step that can lead to future redevelopment or transfer to community partners.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 250461 — Rename South Broad Street between Pine and Lombard Streets as Teddy Pendergrass Way. Motion to adopt moved by Councilmember Mark Squilla; adopted (roll-call: ayes recorded from a majority of councilmembers present). (See transcript at 8428.895–8524.375.)

- Resolution 250504 — Rename 4700 block of Rising Sun Avenue (title as read). Motion to adopt moved by Majority Leader Catherine Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Councilmember Kessie Lozada; adopted by voice vote. (Transcript 8524.835–8563.971.)

- Resolution 250507 — Declare May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month. Motion to adopt moved by Councilmember Jim Harrity; adopted by voice vote. (Transcript 8571.024–8599.605.)

- Resolution 250509 and 250510 — Philadelphia Land Bank dispositions for multiple parcels in the Eighth District and related Venango Street parcels. Motions to adopt moved by Councilmember Cindy Bass; adopted by voice vote. (Transcript 8605.605–8758.88.)

- Additional ceremonial resolutions adopted include proclamations and recognition resolutions for cultural anniversaries, Odunde’s 50th anniversary, retirements and community observances; several were placed on the final-passage calendar and adopted by voice vote. (Multiple references throughout the calendar; see transcript range 673.025–2687.605 and 8792.295–9228.055.)

Details and context

Council President Kenyatta Johnson and other members read and sponsored the adopted measures; several members rose in support during the speeches portion of the session. Council’s adoption of the Land Bank dispositions follows the process defined in Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code and is a procedural step that enables the Land Bank to negotiate transfers or redevelopment under the terms stated in the resolutions.

Council also placed on the record hearings and committee referrals for a number of bills and ordinances introduced earlier in the agenda, including capital budget items, bonding authorizations, and zoning or encroachment ordinances that will receive committee consideration before final votes.

What council did not do today

Council introduced many bills (capital budget items, zoning changes, traffic code amendments and others) and referred them to committee. Substantive policy debates and final votes on those pending bills were not conducted at this session except for the resolutions listed above.

Ending

Council adjourned to its next scheduled session on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. (Transcript 11163.825–11189.905.)