Philadelphia opens new office for civic innovations

The city of Philadelphia has a new office designed to cut through “red tape.” It’s called the Office of New of Urban Mechanics.

Mayor Michael Nutter says the plan is to use the office as an innovation hub, where people aren’t afraid to try new ideas, even if they all don’t work out.

“New Urban Mechanics will oversee many pilot projects, some will work and some will not but I know that the office will succeed,” said Nutter.

The mayor says the Office of New Urban Mechanics will make government work better.

“What’s the value? The value is in getting better service, that has a better value to the citizens of the city,” he said.

After Boston, Philadelphia is only the second big city with such an office.

Mayor Nutter says it will cost about $200,000 to run the office. One existing employee will be re-assigned to it and one new person hired.