June 23 , 2004 Print this page

Philadelphia City Council Votes to Make 20th Street
One Way

On June 21, the City Council of Philadelphia voted 16-1 to make permanent the reconfiguration of 20th Street between Olney and Belfield Avenues to a one-lane, one-way, up-hill traffic pattern and deeded the western part of the street to La Salle University.

University officials say making the street one-way will make the area safer.

These changes were developed under the guidance and with the support of the City Streets Department, City Managing Director Philip Goldsmith, and his two predecessors, Estelle Richmond and Joseph Martz. Most importantly, they are the product of a consultative process between neighborhood block captains, individual neighbors, elected officials, and the University. Under the leadership of Edward A. Turzanski, La Salle’s Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations, this process led to a result that has improved the overall safety, security, and quality of life of the immediate community.

La Salle officials noted that the measure received enthusiastic support from Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller (La Salle is located in her district), Council President Anna Verna, Councilman Frank DiCicco, Councilman James Kenney (La Salle,’80), Mayor John Street, Governor Ed Rendell, Congressman Robert Brady (La Salle is located in his district), State Representative Dwight Evans (La Salle,’75) and other legislators.

“It should be noted that the support of those government officials and civil servants is motivated by a desire to serve the public good, and by a recognition of the important role that La Salle plays in providing its immediate community, the City, and the region with educational opportunity and economic stability,” said La Salle University President Brother Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C. “Every member of the City Council has within his or her district a La Salle family that has benefited from its relationship with the University,” he added. “They, in turn, have made their own contributions to their communities.”

20th Street had been made one-way, beginning in December, 2003, on a trial basis. After study and a favorable recommendation from the Streets Department, the City Council voted to make the change permanent.