The Hispanic Alliance of Contractors and Enterprises will use the “Reconnecting Communities”  funding to conduct a community-led, two-year study focused on safety, mobility and quality of life issues in the community.

Maria Gonzalez, president of HACE, said the neighborhoods are not safe for pedestrians and cyclists due to crime, poor lighting, limited sidewalks and aging infrastructure. There have been a number of pedestrian fatalities in the area, Gonzalez said.

“It’s not safe when [residents] have to have eyes in the back of their head when they want to cross the street, and they wouldn’t even dream of biking around the neighborhood,” she said. “No one wants to live in chaos. They want a safe, clean, vibrant living environment so they can feel good about themselves when they come home or leave their homes.”

Since 2018, HACE and other organizations, such as the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, have been working to revitalize the Richmond Industrial Track, including connecting the area to the larger Circuit Trails network.