Signs Now Required on Work Sites in Philadelphia

The city passed many new regulations in response to the building collapse last year. Yesterday, it unveiled another one: Detailed signs are now required at demolition and construction sites. The idea is that the detailed information will make it easier for the citizens of Philadelphia to report problems with work sites to the city.

@Michael_Nutter & Commish Williams unveil sign for big projects (3+ stories) #publicsafety pic.twitter.com/Hi54RJQCo8

— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) July 17, 2014

For projects larger than three stories, a 3-by-5-foot sign is required. Smaller projects get a yellow one-pager with the same information.

L&I Commish Williams holds up example of small sign for small projects (bldgs smaller than 3 stories) pic.twitter.com/6CqFV9V4gm

— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) July 17, 2014

Meanwhile, the Daily News reports this seemingly innocuous signage requirement led to a war of words between Mayor Michael Nutter and City Councilman Jim Kenney. Kenney says the mayor actually opposed his signage bill.

“It’s very frustrating to have to deal with a government that continually obstructs, obstructs, obstructs, then finally agrees with you and says, ‘Well, look what we did,'” said Kenney, a frequent Nutter antagonist.

Nutter spokesman Mark McDonald said the mayor was referring to informal orders, not official executive orders, and that he never opposed new sign rules. “That’s just simply not true,” McDonald said of the councilman’s comments. “That’s just another example of Kenney-speak.”