Philadelphia spins closer toward a bike sharing program
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Erica Bryant is the current homeowner of which the mural is painted on. (Nathaniel Hamilton/For NewsWorks)
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“We the Youth” was originally created in 1987 and is the only intact Keith Haring mural in its original location. (Nathaniel Hamilton/For NewsWorks)
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Jane Golden, Executive Director of The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, celebrates the reopening with Julie Gruen, Executive Director of The Keith Haring Foundation. (Nathaniel Hamilton/For NewsWorks)
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The Mural Arts Program restored a mural by iconic pop artist Keith Haring on the corner of 22nd and Ellsworth Streets. (Nathaniel Hamilton/For NewsWorks)
Philadelphia’s plan to set up a bicycle sharing system is rolling forward.
Andrew Stober, chief of staff for the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities, says bids for the bikeshare program should be in before the end of November. The office hopes to award a contract shortly after the first of the year.
“We expect to get between three and five responses. The area that we envison bike share operating in Philadelphia is from the Navy Yard into North of Temple University, from the Delaware River deep into West Philadelphia. We expect an initial rollout of 50 stations and 500 bikes,” he explained.
Stober says the city’s working on securing a title sponsor to underwrite the $5 million to $15 million cost of the program.
“We’re going to be bringing on a sponsorship firm to help us sell that sponsorship. We know there are experts in the field who know how to sell these.”
Stober says by this time next year the rental bike program should be in high gear.
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