Committee backs citywide encroachment bill to fund 2026 corridor beautification; nonprofit urges easing insurance barriers

The Committee on Streets and Services heard extended testimony supporting Bill 250887, which would authorize the city to construct, own and maintain right-of-way encroachments in commercial corridors citywide to support neighborhood beautification in 2026 and beyond.

Karen Fegley, acting director for the Department of Commerce, said the program—described as part of Philadelphia's 2026 commemoration and branded in testimony as a corridor-beautification effort—focuses on three pillars: activations, beautifications and celebrations. Fegley told the committee Commerce allocated $3,500,000 for 2026 corridor beautification and that a contracted landscape architect conducted assessments of 20 corridors (two per council district) to recommend locations and targeted enhancements. "These encroachments will include custom benches, bike racks, planters, and decorative banners," she said.

Richard Montanas, first deputy commissioner for the Department of Streets, told the committee the Streets Department will implement regulations consistent with existing encroachment laws and work with Commerce to purchase materials in 2025 for installation in early 2026. He said the encroachments "include, but are not limited to, benches, planters, banners, lighting, and decorative fixtures" and that any encroachments on private property would require property owner authorization.

During committee questions, members sought the list of 20 corridors; witnesses said the corridors are included in an appendix to the bill and that the city is open to adding corridors but urged against subtracting corridors already included because of the community outreach that informed the selections. Witnesses said installations are intended to remain beyond 2026 and that the city will sign memoranda of understanding with nonprofits for upkeep.

Ariel Ben Amos, founder of Streetbox PHL, testified on behalf of a nonprofit network that community groups face high engineering and insurance costs to install and steward pedestrian enhancements in the right of way. He gave examples: a bench that cost $850 required several thousand dollars in engineering services, and some insurance providers refuse coverage for community groups. He urged the committee to amend the bill to lower barriers so smaller nonprofits can partner with the city on stewardship.

The committee adopted an amendment to Bill 250887 and later voted to report the bill favorably to full council and to request suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next session. The amendment text circulated to committee members is part of the hearing record; the committee adopted it by voice vote and the chair declared the amendment adopted.