And perhaps regrets it.
Stephanie Farr cuts right to the chase with the lede of this story:
This is the story of what happens when a public transit agency asks the public for help picking a new mascot. And that public is the city of Philadelphia.
Spoiler: It does not end well.
In case you missed it, mascots are all the rage in Philadelphia these days, after the Philadelphia Fliers NHL team revealed its new mascot, Gritty, to nationwide attention. SEPTA put out a call for mascot ideas for the transit system on Twitter, and the sarcasm and meme making that followed is enough to fill on off-peak headway's worth of time.
Our favorite meme came from SEPTA's current mascot, Paws, the safety dog, who is apparently out of a job.
When you hear @SEPTAPHILLY is “looking for a mascot” pic.twitter.com/oHM73d5KMg
— Paws (@Transit_Dog) October 1, 2018
FULL STORY: SEPTA asks Philly to pick its new mascot. It does not go well.
SEPTA's bus-mounted lane enforcement cameras cut travel times by up to 6%
The AI-assisted cameras have issued nearly 200,000 citations to drivers blocking bus lanes.
SEPTA Borrows Maryland's Rail Cars to Replace Fleet That Kept Catching Fire
The agency’s efforts to repair its Silverliner fleet is being hampered by supply chain delays.
SEPTA Narrowly Avoids Strike, Walkout Still Possible
Negotiations continue this week between SEPTA officials and union leaders.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association