The Coalition to Free Chestnut Street is up and running, gathering signatures on petitions, and pressuring Philadelphia Mayor John Street to reverse his previous decision -- made in secret, of course -- to bow to the wishes of the National Park Service and permanently close Chestnut St. between Fifth and Sixth Streets, the block running in front of Independence Hall, to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The result: A national monument that looks like a war zone, a beautiful urban park destroyed, traffic congestion, and millions of dollars lost by local businesses.
Independence Hall
Philadelphia
The campaign appears to be working. After meeting with community leaders last week the mayor agreed to review the decision (see reports in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News).
The mayor's response is expected in February.
Let's hope Mayor Street does the right thing.
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