Time for a civic ‘Tush Push’

Lately, we’ve been detecting a particularly Philadelphian phenomenon relating to next year’s Semiquincentennial. It might be best characterized as premature disappointment syndrome — a pessimism that great things can’t happen in Philadelphia.

Yes, an unprecedented global pandemic did delay planning for the 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And yes, we can always use more money to enhance the festivities. But we’ve got news for you. Hundreds of thousands of people are coming to Philadelphia next year, and they will have a great time. And the millions of people who live in our city and region will also have a once-in-a-generation experience.

The Semiquincentennial won’t be the only draw in 2026. Philadelphia is also hosting the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, NCAA March Madness, the PGA Championship, a supersized Wawa Welcome America festival, ArtPhilly (a citywide arts festival that highlights Philadelphia’s artists and arts institutions), RockyFest, 52 Weeks of Firsts (a yearlong celebration that will recognize Philadelphia’s firsts), and hundreds of other events and programs in neighborhoods across the region. These events will attract and engage people from around the region, the nation, and the world in 2026. And the city will shine.

I’m confident of this because as a founding member of the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, organized by the Connelly Foundation, the William Penn Foundation has had the privilege to learn about dozens of projects, programs, and events that are being planned. We’ve been incredibly impressed by the creativity, excitement, and energy of the organizations planning and implementing these efforts in Philadelphia.

Another symptom of premature disappointment syndrome is grumbling that no “legacy projects” are being planned. We would argue that the notion we must build “new things” to memorialize the event is outdated and unsustainable, as the underused and, in some cases, abandoned facilities and venues built for the Montreal, Athens, and Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games suggest. We believe the appropriate legacy of 2026 will be improvements, enhancements, and increased accessibility of the city’s astounding array of existing cultural assets, historical treasures, and public spaces.

Some of those improvements planned or already underway include major renovations to spaces like FDR Park, Franklin Square, and Lemon Hill, along with dozens of parks, recreation centers, and libraries that have been improved across the city through the Rebuild initiative. Downtown streetscapes and neighborhood commercial corridors will be greened and beautified. New exhibits and programming will be added to the city’s vast collection of existing cultural offerings, and the new Calder Gardens will open along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

And, of course, there will be significant improvements to the city’s bottom line in terms of spending, employment, and economic activity — with the World Cup alone expected to generate nearly $800 million in economic impact and nearly 7,000 jobs, many of which will go to Philadelphia residents.

There is certainly much work yet to do, and we need to do it in a hurry. We now need an all-hands-on-deck, brotherly and sisterly shove to get us over the goal line. Many partners need to work together to make sure our transportation and public infrastructure, public safety, and marketing and information systems are ready to meet the moment next summer.

» READ MORE: Ed Rendell: Let’s all help make sure America’s 250th birthday reflects Philadelphia’s rich diversity | Opinion

But thanks to leadership from people like Michael Newmuis, the city’s 2026 director, Angela Val at Visit Philly, and Kathryn Ott Lovell of Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp. and Philadelphia250, along with countless others who are working together to plan and implement the 250th celebration — and major funding commitments from the city, state, and private donors — Philadelphia will be ready to excite, engage, educate, and entertain our neighbors and visitors from around the world.

Together, we will reflect on and be revitalized by the promise, progress, and potential of our nation. So shake off those premature disappointment syndrome symptoms. Pitch in, look forward, get excited, and help everyone feel that special Philly love.

Shawn McCaney is the executive director of the William Penn Foundation, which is a founding member of the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.