Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier, 3rd District | Newsletter

JAMIE GAUTHIER

Jamie R. Gauthier represents West and Southwest Philadelphia as the 3rd District City Councilmember. Since assuming office in January 2020, Councilmember Gauthier has fought for her constituents’ right to live with dignity and remain in the neighborhoods they’ve called home for decades. She is the only elected official in the City of Philadelphia with a planning degree, offering her a unique perspective on a range of social and economic issues.

Councilmember Gauthier’s agenda prioritizes creating and preserving affordable housing, combating gun violence, empowering young people, connecting residents to family-sustaining jobs, advancing small businesses, and investing in community-based assets like our recreation centers.

Prior to her City Council candidacy, Councilmember Gauthier served as Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, where she led the organization in carrying out vital improvements in West Fairmount Park and oversaw stewardship and care for parks across the city. Councilmember Gauthier is also the former Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.

After graduating from Central High School, Councilmember Gauthier received her undergraduate degree from Temple University and her Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Protecting Affordable Housing Through the People’s Preservation Package

Through my People’s Preservation Package, we are giving the City and our affordable housing partners the tools they need to preserve almost 13,000 affordable homes at-risk of expiring in the next decade. I am also cracking down on rampant illegal discrimination against families with a housing voucher, so we can get working class families into stable, high quality homes.

Defending our Young People from Violence

This year I am focused on keeping our young people safe. The number of shooting victims and perpetrators under the age of 18 has been steadily growing. At the same time, the community has made it clear that existing resources for youth at-risk of, or already involved in, violence is insufficient. To address this, I will host a hearing to discuss additional measures the City can take to protect our children.

Better City Services for Every Corner of West and Southwest Philadelphia

Even though my #JustServicesPHL campaign won a record $30 million to improve basic city services, we still need to do more to ensure every Philadelphian has dependable and high-quality services on their block. That’s why I intend to seek even more money in the upcoming budget, prioritizing improvements in neighborhoods like ours that are experiencing a disproportionate amount of the gun violence.

Empowering West and Southwest Residents to Obtain Lucrative Jobs

Life sciences companies are moving into our neighborhoods at a record pace and they’re bringing thousands of family sustaining jobs with them. We must ensure that the life sciences industry grows alongside, rather than without, the community — because working class, Black and brown residents deserve to be part of this economic boom. That’s why I will hold a hearing to study establishing and expanding training programs that prepare West and Southwest Philadelphians to get high paying life sciences jobs before they come online.

LOOKING BACK AT MY FIRST TERM

BRINGING PEACE TO OUR STREETS

• Demanded Mayor Kenney enact an emergency response to Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis

• Advocated for evidence-based solutions from around the country to quell gun violence

• Won record investments in grassroots antiviolence efforts in the 2022 and 2023 City budgets

FIGHTING FOR DEPENDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY CITY SERVICES

• Secured $8.5M for Cobbs Creek Pkwy traffic safety, resulting in a 90% decrease in speeding

• Won $30 million for improved city services like trash removal and street light replacement

ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY

• Partnered with Penn Medicine to launch the “Vaccine Street Team,” which visited over 9,000 homes in West Philadelphia to speak with residents about the COVID-19 vaccine

• Distributed over 3000+ turkeys and 565 toys during the holiday season

• Launched Block Captain Alliance to amplify the voices of local activists and organizers

PROTECTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

• Created Philly’s first large-scale inclusionary zoning bill, requiring large residential developments in amenity-rich areas of West and Southwest keep at least 20% of their units deeply affordable

• Made a pathway for community organizations to acquire publicly owned land for urban gardens and permanently affordable housing

• Introduced the People’s Preservation Package to preserve more than 12,000 affordable housing units

PROMOTING SAFE AND HEALTHY PUBLIC SPACES

• Millions in funding to improve community resources like parks

• Installed new bike lanes on streets across the 3rd District

• Won $4 million to restore the indoor, Olympic-class pool at Sayre Recreation Center

• Distributed $470,000 in Philadelphia Activity Fund grants to community programs

EXPANDING ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION

• Called for delayed school reopening to support safe school environments during COVID-19

• Supported school communities as they called for improvements to school buildings

• Co-created a 1.75-million-dollar fund with Penn to support education efforts across the 3rd District

JAMIE ON THE BLOCK

UNVEILING THE NEW MARKET AND CHESTNUT STREETS

This summer we unveiled the new Chestnut and Market Streets. As part of Vision Zero, these upgrades prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Additionally, residents may now enjoy a parking-protected, unobstructed bike lane from the heart of West Philly to 30th Street Station and Center City.

MAKING SEPTA WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY

In June I rode the Market-Frankford Line with the SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee. We discussed the importance of public transportation in West and Southwest Philadelphia, and how we can work together, and with neighbors, to ensure the next generation of transit reflects the needs of our community.

HONORING BLACK BOTTOM’S LEGACY

I joined members of the Black Bottom community for their annual reunion. This event brings together families with ties to the Black Bottom, a neighborhood displaced by institutional growth in West Philly. They are an example of the strong bonds that hold neighborhoods together. It was my pleasure to celebrate their past and ongoing contributions to our community.

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT

In April, I had the pleasure of attending the Stop the Violence Teen Business Pop Up. The pop-up event was organized by Qawyyah Powers, a teenage entrepreneur. After losing three loved ones, including her brother, to gun violence over the past few years, Qawyyah wanted to create a positive space for young entrepreneurs to explore and pursue their interests. Although it broke my heart to hear her speak of so much pain, young people like Qawyyah give me a drive to fight for more resources for our communities. We have to close this horrible chapter of violence in our city’s history— so that youth can have the futures they deserve.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Interested in attending? Call 215-686-0460 to RSVP and learn the time and location.

Tax Workshop March 9th

Satellite Office Hours March 15th

Tax Workshop March 18th

Senior Bingo April 4th

Block Captain Alliance Meeting April 15th

Satellite Office Hours April 19th

Satellite Office Hours May 17th

Senior Bingo June 6th Satellite Office Hours June 21st

Job Readiness Workshop July 15th

Satellite Office Hours July 19th

Senior Bingo August 8th Satellite Office Hours August 16th

Satellite Office Hours September 20th

Senior Bingo October 10th

Block Captain Alliance Meeting October 14th

Satellite Office Hours October 18th

Satellite Office Hours November 15th

Senior Bingo December 5th Satellite Office Hours December 20th

City Hall Room 586 1400 JFK Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19107

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