Franklin Square $7.8M in new projects garners coverage across 14 media outlets

Feb 28, 2025 | Historic Philadelphia Inc.

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Shawn D. McCaney (right), executive director of the William Penn Foundation, receives a key from Ben Franklin, portrayed by Bill Robling, during the announcement of major improvements planned for Franklin Square. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the non-profit that operates and manages Franklin Square, announced this week $7.8 million in capital investments are in progress or coming to the historic space. The announcement of new restrooms, lighting, sidewalks and bike lanes, the PATCO transit station coming this year, and, best of all, a NEW PLAYGROUND earned coverage on 14 Philadelphia media outlets.

WHYY’s headline declared, “BATHROOMS ROCK” with an awesome drone shot of the restroom construction and the entire Square from above.

Other coverage came from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Business Journal, 6abc, KYW Newsradio, Philly Voice, Axios, Metro, and all five local tv stations.

Franklin Square to get $7.8M in upgrades

The Old City and Chinatown park has started a handful of capital improvements anticipating a new, underground PATCO train stop.

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