The discord within Philadelphia’s Old City community reached a crescendo last night over the proposed relocation of the Greyhound bus terminal. The meeting, crucial for residents to air their grievances, was scheduled to take place at a pre-school near the newly considered site, close to a daycare center. Despite a high turnout from the community and eagerness to engage in the conversation, city officials from the Managing Director's Office elected to abruptly depart minutes before the meeting was set to begin due to an unexpected turn of events.
Reported concerns about potential media intimidation of parents led to the unexpected cancellation, as Sharon Gallagher, the senior communications director for the Managing Director's Office, later clarified to 6abc. "This was not a community meeting," Gallagher said. "It was a meeting with parents. That's what we were asked to come and do." The intended private nature of the discussion, which was mistakenly thought to be public, led to an invitation being extended to members of the media, which city officials were not prepared for.
All was not lost for the community members, though, as Councilmember Mark Squilla remained to lend an ear to the concerns. According to an article by PHL17, Squilla did show up and stayed to listen to the concerns of parents and community members. This gesture of Squilla’s stood in stark contrast to the actions of the city representatives, and in essence, became a solitary conduit for the reception of community woes and worries.
Likewise, frustrations regarding traffic and the safety of children were palpable. Local resident Levin, in her interview with 6abc, voiced concerns: "Every single day there are SEPTA buses that can't turn from Chestnut onto 2nd Street and they're blocked there on a daily basis," and "So, I can't imagine multiple Greyhound buses." With these practical safety considerations left unresolved amid the uncertainty, the community's unease appears to have only been magnified by the day's events.
While the fate of the Greyhound station remains a contentious issue, the actions of city officials have seemingly widened the gap between the entities supposed to serve the public and the community itself. As community members find their voices temporarily unheard, the future of the terminal in Old City remains as unsettled as the emotions of those who call it their neighborhood. FOX29 reported on the sense of uncertainty and concern from a city at odds with its constituents over public transportation decisions that directly impact their daily lives.
It is clear, though, that the lines of communication will need to significantly improve if all parties are to reach a solution that is not only practical but also resonates with the pulse of Old City's residents, for whom the streets are more than just routes but rather the lifelines of a historical and vibrant community.
