Capital Program Office

The Capital Program Office recently completed a more than $1 million project at Hawthorne Cultural Center in South Philadelphia!

What’s new at Hawthorne? We have:

- New play equipment and swings
- New safety surfacing
- New ADA tables
- New benches and concrete games tables
- ADA ramp to access tennis court
- New fence fabrics and gates
- New tennis court

This project would not have been possible without the support and leadership of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, along with contributions from Free People Movement & Post Brothers.

Swipe through for some highlights. And, join us tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24th, at 3 p.m. to cut the ribbon!

Are you interested in pursuing a career in construction?

Through the Rebuild initiative, the City’s Capital Programs Office (CPO) is now recruiting participants for the 2026 Ironworkers Academy.

This paid ($17 an hour) training program will run from August 10, 2026, through September 4, 2026, and is offered in partnership with Ironworkers Local 401, Ironworkers Local 405, and PA CareerLink®.

To get started, you’ll need to attend one info session. Here are the following virtual info session dates

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, June 26, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Comment “trades” to get the link for more information and to register!

On Friday, we cut the ribbon on a reimagined Thomas Paine Plaza!

What's new at Paine? This $18 million project delivered:

- Improvements to the roof system below the plaza paving
- Shade structures with table and chair seating areas
- Metal and wooden bench areas for sitting
- A redesigned skate plaza space
- Landscaping, including a variety of flowers, trees, and deep blue-hued planters that introduce color throughout the site
- Over 50 bike parking spaces
- ADA-accessible ramp providing an accessible path from the sidewalk to the front of the building
- Restoration of the existing city-owned 40ft bronze and granite sculpture, Government of the People
- Future bronze statue of historic trail blazer and Philadelphian, Sadie T.M. Alexander (to be installed in 2027)

A big shout-out to Skate Philly and Vans for supporting the new skate plaza with a $300,000 contribution, and West Philly's own Jahmir Brown for sharing some inspiring words and helping us cut that ribbon!

Check out the photos below for some highlights.

Join Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, the Capital Program Office, Skate Philly, and Vans TOMORROW at 2:30 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Thomas Paine Plaza surrounding the City's Municipal Services Building.

We’ve added landscaping, shade, and flexible seating - creating a series of outdoor “rooms” that support a range of everyday uses.

We also preserved space for large civic gatherings and, in partnership with SkatePhilly and Vans, included a dedicated skate area that reflects the community’s long-standing connection to the plaza.

Check out the photos below for a look at the new space!

Yesterday, participants in 's 2026 Concrete Academy and CPO's Drexel University interns visited Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center, Panati Playground and the new North Central Public Safety Building to see the work first-hand and to learn from the best in business!

A big thank you to Daniel J. Keating Construction and their incredible site superintendents, Drew, Kyle, and Scott, for leading the tours and answering questions from the City's next generation of tradespeople and construction professionals.

This is how we create economic opportunity for all!

Check out the photos below for some highlights.

Thomas Paine Plaza is back!

Join Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the Capital Program Office this Friday, April 17 at 3 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the reopening of this iconic Center City space following an $18 million renovation supported by a $300,000 contribution from Vans and SkatePhilly.

The project delivers new paving, seating and shade structures, expanded landscaping, improved lighting, accessible pathways, and a dedicated skate plaza.

The redesigned space was shaped by input from City employees, residents, and the skate community, and is built for everyday use - from lunch breaks to public gatherings.

The DJ will start spinning at 2:30 p.m. The program starts at 3 p.m.

Vans and Skate Philly will host a skate jam with giveaways following the ceremony.