PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Community members in Old City came out by the dozens to voice their concerns about a proposed bus terminal, pitched to sit at a busy parking garage and next to a preschool. They hoped to share their thoughts with city officials but were disappointed when they left before it started.
The garage is being discussed as a potential bus terminal relocation, located next to the Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool on Second Street, between Chestnut and Walnut streets.
The city has been exploring the location as an option for a temporary Greyhound bus terminal. The terminal moved from 10th and Filbert streets in Chinatown to busy Sixth and Market streets in June 2023. By November, it moved again, to Northern Liberties. City officials said they are still looking for a permanent solution.
The preschool hosted Tuesday night’s meeting. Parents and nearby neighbors packed into the building, ready to talk to transportation and city planning officials about it — but that changed. Sharon Gallagher, a spokesperson for the Managing Director’s Office, said they thought the meeting was just between them and parents.
“We didn’t know it was a public event,” she said. “We were invited to come here on behalf of the school.”
So, they left. But the meeting continued.
Attendees brought up several worries, like the number of buses on the already congested street, hectic drop-off and pick-up areas, and general safety.
“It’s a big risk to the survival of the school, but most importantly the safety of the children that walk to the parks every single day,” said Cloe Levin, owner of the preschool.
Marianne Corrigan said she uses the parking garage frequently.
“They haven’t had the bathrooms open since before COVID, so there’s no bathroom. There’s not enough [parking]. I have to search for a parking spot as it is, in the parking garage. How are they going to have more parking for bus trips?” she asked.
Although the intended city officials left the meeting, Councilmember Mark Squilla stayed to hear the community members out.
“They’re very valid concerns, right? They need to be looked at before a decision is made, and they need to be listened to and heard,” he said.
Squilla said he asked the other city officials to reconsider staying, but they told him they planned to reschedule.