Mayor Parker proposes $40 million in initial funding for Philly’s 250th anniversary
The initial city funding would address the most urgent costs of Philly's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America. Some councilmembers feel it doesn't go far enough.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker presented City Council on Thursday with an initial $40 million funding proposal to help pay for Philadelphia’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America next year.
“We’re addressing needs so that we can not only be prepared for 2026, but have it be an outstanding event not only for people visiting here but the people who live here,” said Councilmember Mark Squilla, who introduced the legislation as chair of City Council’s appropriations committee.
The city action comes after Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed nearly $65 million in funding last week toward the semiquincentennial. In his annual budget address, Shapiro urged lawmakers to provide millions needed to ensure that the state where the country was founded is properly prepared for the national milestone. The split state legislature has until June 30 to pass the budget.
In November, a cadre of Philadelphia tourism, civic, and cultural leaders pressed for $100 million from city and state coffers to supplement the $14 million local philanthropies have already provided toward 250th planning and programming.
Thursday’s proposal came as part of a midyear transfer ordinance, an opportunity for the mayor to amend the previous year’s budget before the next one. The initial chunk of funding would address the most urgent costs of the celebrations. Midyear funding allocations have to be spent by June 30 under city rules, Squilla said.
The mayor is expected to propose more funding for the 250th in her annual budget, which will be presented to City Council in the coming weeks, said officials with knowledge of the semiquincentennial planning who were not authorized to speak publicly about the budget process. The bulk of the $40 million proposed Thursday would cover operational costs of the 250th, including fleet improvements, security equipment, and manpower.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to attend major Philly events connected to the semiquincentennial through 2026, including a birthday bash for the Navy and Marines, six FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, early rounds of the NCAA March Madness tournament, and a pumped-up July Fourth concert that will officially commemorate America’s big anniversary.
Some of the initial funding would go to groups planning neighborhood initiatives, like Philadelphia250, a nonprofit chaired by former Gov. Ed Rendell to help plan for the celebrations. But several Council members expressed concerns that it’s not enough.
“The concern with some members was that maybe you’re saying all this money is for 2026, but it’s equipment, radios, barricades, and vehicles,” Squilla said. “Even though you still need to order them now, how do members know how that equates to 2026?”
Public Council hearings are scheduled on the funding later this month. Then Council members will have a chance to make amendments before eventually voting on the midyear budget.
“We then go back and forth with the administration to work out whatever differences there are,” Squilla said.