Officials Unveil Papal Visit Playbook, More Details On Papal Visit
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Mayor Michael Nutter held a press conference on Thursday to provide an update on the upcoming World Meeting of Families and papal visit.
At the press conference, Mayor Nutter and other city officials announced the launch of a "Papal Visit Playbook," which, according to officials, is a comprehensive online guide for residents to assist in planning for the papal visit weekend on September 26-27.
The World Meeting of Families says the playbook will be available to the public on August 24 at 12 p.m.
Officials say it will outline the events and offer recommendations on how residents can participate. It will also offer transportation options and pet care consideration.
"We are proud to develop and deliver this important resource to residents, not just in Center City Philadelphia but across the five county region as well as South Jersey and Delaware," says Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director for the World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia 2015.
She adds, "This living document not only focuses on how to navigate the city during this one weekend, but also highlights all of the ways in which residents can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience beyond attendance at the Papal events on Saturday and Sunday. This event is for everyone and we sincerely hope that the Papal Visit Playbook serves as both a guide and a thought starter for residents' planning in the coming five weeks."
Officials say the playbook will be periodically updated including the addition of recommended walking maps and important transportation/travel notifications.
Additionally, the city will post a map on its website, showing hospitals, food stores and other places residents can walk to inside the so-called traffic box where the largest crowds are expected and movement will be difficult.
"We've created these resources to give residents an idea of what they can expect, and more importantly help everyone to make the most of what will be an exciting and historic weekend."
Residents can call 3-1-1 with specific questions. That number will be operating 24-7 starting the Thursday before the pope's arrival.
The Papal Visit Playbook will be available at: www.worldmeeting2015.org/papalplaybook/
As CBS 3's Diana Rocco reports, as security and travel plans go into place for the papal visit, those living within the secure Center City perimeter are making some plans of their own.
"There's no reason for me to sit among the traffic and the muck, but I was thinking of staying because it's cool to see the Pope but decided to go up to Vermont to get out of the hectic," said Max Tuttleman.
Max Tuttleman is one of 16,000 residents whose building falls within the event red zone. The secure area will be fenced in with metal detectors at screening check points and no vehicles allowed in or out.
"There's going to be metal detectors and everything like that and its going to be tough and who wants to deal with that type of hassle?"
The city has unveiled new details for residents that weekend:
-Regional Rails will be on a weekend schedule starting Thursday
-Septa train, bus and trolley service inside the secure area will start experiencing interruptions and detours
-Saturday and Sunday trains will run express by passing 15th Street and City Hall stops
-The 311 hotline will be manned 24/7 starting Thursday night
-Garbage pickup is delayed Friday and Monday
"Less than seven percent of the city's entire population lives within the traffic box," said Mayor Nutter.
"Our collective goal is to reduce of course as many of the difficulties and challenges that our residents may experience," said Nutter.
"The teams are working around the clock to address as many questions as possible," said Farrell.
Cars must be off the street beginning Thursday night. There hasn't been a whole lot of information about how people living in the black and red zones will get in and out of their buildings beginning that weekend. The Secret Service says they are currently working out a plan with building management to hash that out.
