The City asked residents, businesses, SEPTA riders, and community organizations for input on three design options for the public space triangles, streets, and sidewalks at Broad, Germantown, and Erie.
The team used a combination of print and digital methods, including an online survey, paper mailer, online meetings, phone calls, socially distanced in-person surveying following the Department of Public Health guidelines, and materials in English and Spanish.
The City received 781 responses. Seventy-five percent of online survey respondents preferred the literature theme and the circles layout for the public spaces. View engagement results.
In addition, survey respondents preferred:
- Lawn
- Fixed seating
- String lights
- Bright colors
- Combination of shade structure and trees
There was a preference to occasionally close the short block of Germantown Avenue between Broad & Erie for special events. Popular special events ideas include food and vendor markets, art markets, and music performances.
Most preferences were similar when comparing responses from people who live in nearby zip codes with the responses from all survey respondents.
Respondents from nearby zip codes had different preferences on a few topics, including:
- More space for trees or more space for parking
- Frequency of closing Germantown Avenue between Broad & Erie
- Movable seats on tracks
One hundred and thirty online survey, phone, and text respondents expressed concerns about maintenance and security.
Fourteen respondents shared concerns about traffic safety. Crash analysis done for the project found that there were 135 crashes at Broad, Germantown, and Erie between 2015 and 2019 (PennDOT data).
The next steps for the project include:
- Revise the design of the public space triangles based on feedback from the survey
- Share the new proposed design with the community for final revisions
- Install temporary improvements in 2021 to do further engagement and test of features
- Construct the project in 2022 through 2023
The landscape and streetscape design will provide safety improvements for everyone using the street, especially those walking and using transit to come and shop at local businesses.
These improvements are part of the larger Broad, Germantown and Erie Project. The project also includes supporting businesses and creating jobs, increasing traffic safety, and honoring local history.
Visit phila.gov/bge to follow the Broad, Germantown and Erie Project or sign up here to receive email updates on the new design, ways to give feedback, and project progress.
