Society Hill Civic Association satisfied with new plan for curb cuts

The Society Hill Civic Association will get to pick the shade of gray for the concrete portions of the neighborhood’s new ADA-compliant curb cuts. That’s part of an agreement that has all parties satisfied after months of back-and-forth.

The issues began when SHCA members noticed the work being done to improve corner curb cuts wasn’t what had been discussed: the color of the textured inserts was bright red, not the anticipated brick shade, and the work was interfering with the neighborhood’s historical look.

PlanPhilly reports the agreement between the group and city calls for mostly brick ramps and the use of cheek walls (structures to support buildings when changes are made to the sidewalk slope) only when necessary. Said cheek walls will be made of brick.

An agreement was reached after meetings among city departments, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Philadelphia Historical Commission, The Preservation Alliance and PennDOT.