Livingston Calls for Relief to Businesses Damaged By Germantown Avenue, Market Street Projects

Press Release

Following a visit to the 52nd Street market in West Philadelphia, congressional candidate Mike Livingston today called upon SEPTA to complete the Market El renovation project more quickly, and provide compensation to merchants harmed by the ongoing process.

"In talking to people in the area," said Livingston, "it became clear that-together with high taxes and a slow economy-many merchants had been hurt by the slow process of the renovation project, which has left an unsightly fence along Market Street and created the impression that many open businesses were in fact closed. " He further noted that, since transportation is a Federal as well as a state and local responsibility, this is an issue of concern to all levels of Government.

Livingston added that similar concerns have been expressed by businesses in the Germantown Avenue corridor as a result of a PENNDOT construction process which has caused extensive dislocation in the Mt. Airy neighborhood. "While economic progress is always important," he noted, "it should be possible to conduct construction projects with greater sensitivity to the affected communities. Unfortunately, this does not appear to have happened here."

Livingston will be the Republican candidate against Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa) in the November election.

Source