Controller: Safety Issues Around North Philly Construction - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

City Controller: Health, Safety Issues Around North Philly Construction Sites

City Controller Alan Butkovitz says his office has found public health, safety and quality of life concerns for residents around construction sites in North Philadelphia.

According to the special review released Wednesday by Butkovitz' office, illegal short dumping of construction debris in surrounding vacant lots, lack of dust screens and filters and street lane closures without the proper permit were among some of the on-site findings.

"The lack of proper enforcement has allowed contractors to violate various codes and negatively impact the quality of life for surrounding residents," Butkovitz said during a news conference.

"As our city continues to grow and new construction projects take place, the city needs to take an aggressive approach to protecting the quality of life for citizens in the surrounding neighborhoods."

The controller made several recommendations he says would help improve project monitoring and code enforcement, including developing a "Memorandum of Under sanding" among the five city departments involved with monitoring a construction site.

You can download the full review on the Philadelphia City Controller's website.