Capital Program Office 2025 Report

Building Philadelphia's Public Infrastructure

In 2025, the Capital Program Office (CPO) continued to deliver critical investments in Philadelphia's public facilities and infrastructure. From parks and libraries to public safety buildings and health facilities, CPO worked across City departments to plan, design, and build projects that strengthen neighborhoods, improve service delivery, and support long-term City priorities.

About the Capital Program Office

The Capital Program Office leads capital planning, design and construction for City facilities across Philadelphia. Working in close coordination with the City Planning Commission, Budget Office, and client departments, CPO evaluates and manages capital projects based on cost, schedule, public benefit, and alignment with the Administration's priorities.

CPO oversees engineering, architectural, and construction management functions for projects serving Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Police, Fire, Prisons, Public Health, Free Library of Philadelphia, Fleet Services, Office of Homeless Services, Public Property, and more.

2025 By the Numbers

CPO Working Groups

Delivering Projects Through Collaboration

CPO's work is organized through dedicated working groups that collaborate closely with City departments to plan, design, and deliver capital-eligible improvements to municipal facilities. This cross-departmental approach ensures projects reflect the operational needs, service goals, and priorities of the agencies that serve Philadelphians every day.

CPO is leading a $5.6 million reconstruction of the Schuylkill River Wall along Kelly Drive, replacing the original 80-year-old structure to stabilize the riverbank and preserve the Schuylkill River Trail.

Health and Human Services

The Health and Human Services working group manages capital improvements for facilities serving the Department of Public Health, Department of Human Services, and Office of Homeless Services.

The team works to ensure City staff have safe, functional, and welcoming spaces to provide essential services to residents across Philadelphia.

CPO completed a 127,000-square-foot renovation at Riverview Wellness Village, now open and providing 340 beds of recovery housing and support services in a project delivered in just 90 days.

Central Facilities

The Central Facilities working group oversees improvements to City-owned and City-operated buildings, including City Hall, the Municipal Services Building, Free Library of Philadelphia locations, Fleet facilities, and other major civic assets.

This work helps ensure public buildings remain safe, accessible, and comfortable for visitors, patrons, and City employees.

CPO completed roof and skylight upgrades at Parkway Central Library and the Philadelphia Zoo, protecting historic structures while improving durability and natural light at two of Philadelphia's most iconic institutions.

Public Safety

The Public Safety working group manages projects for the Philadelphia Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Prisons.

By modernizing stations, training facilities, and operational buildings, the team supports first responders and strengthens the City's ability to deliver effective emergency and public safety services.

CPO completed critical upgrades at Engine 49 in Lower Moyamensing, replacing the apparatus bay floor, improving drainage, and installing energy-efficient lighting to extend the life of this historic 1956 firehouse.

Rebuild

Rebuild is a special initiative within the Capital Program Office that leverages a historic public-private partnership with the William Penn Foundation and funding from the Philadelphia Beverage Tax.

Rebuild invests hundreds of millions of dollars in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries-transforming public spaces and creating stronger, more vibrant communities citywide.

Paschalville Library reopened following a $13.2 million Rebuild renovation that modernized the historic 1915 building with ADA upgrades, a new Media Hub, and welcoming community spaces.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a core part of how CPO delivers capital projects. By working closely with residents, community organizations, and City partners throughout planning, design, and construction, CPO ensures that investments reflect local priorities and support long-term neighborhood needs.

Through public meetings, design workshops, and ongoing project updates, community feedback helps shape safer, more accessible, and more welcoming public facilities-particularly at Rebuild sites, where engagement is integrated into every phase of project delivery.

Community members joined CPO and the Rebuild team to review design updates and help shape plans for the future Carousel House, an inclusive recreation center designed to reflect community needs and priorities.

CPO and City partners met with neighbors at Simons Recreation Center to share project updates and gather community input on upcoming renovations to improve safety, accessibility, and outdoor recreation spaces.

Business Support and Workforce Development

The Business Support and Workforce Development team advances economic opportunity by connecting Philadelphians and local businesses to careers, contracts, and long-term growth within the City's capital programs. Through workforce development initiatives, the team helps prepare residents for careers in the skilled trades, supporting pathways into union apprenticeship programs and full-time employment that strengthen Philadelphia's construction workforce.

The team also leads CPO and Rebuild's Business Supports Program, which helps small and local businesses build capacity, navigate union signatory requirements, and access public works opportunities. In partnership with labor unions, workforce organizations, businesses, and cultural institutions, the program delivers technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities that reduce barriers and promote inclusive economic growth across the city.

Quality, Controls, and Operations

The Quality Controls, and Operations teams support CPO's project delivery by strengthening systems, contract management, standardizing processes, and advancing continuous improvement across the department.

In 2025, the team partnered with Drexel University to expand the support for internship opportunities that help build the next generation of design and construction professionals, while also advancing internal evaluation and performance review efforts to improve how projects are planned, managed, and delivered.

The Operations team is leading the implementation of Procore, a cloud-based construction management platform designed to improve project oversight, collaboration, and financial tracking across more than 300 active capital projects. After completing pilot projects and training more than 40 staff, CPO will initiate a department-wide rollout in 2026 to further strengthen efficiency, transparency, and program delivery.

The team assesses project performance through surveys and other evaluation mechanisms to evaluate process efficiency, and outcomes across the capital program, using lessons learned to inform future planning and support data-driven, equitable investment decisions aligned with City priorities.

These units support many office functions that drive the work of the Capital Program Office.

Key Accomplishments in 2025

Managing Capital Projects Citywide

CPO managed more than 300 capital improvement projects in various stages of planning, design, and construction across Philadelphia, supporting essential City services and public spaces.

Advancing the Rebuild Program

Rebuild continued to deliver equitable neighborhood investments, completing 14 projects in 2025 and engaging communities through ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings citywide. Workforce development remained a core focus, with 31 residents trained in the skilled trades.

Launching Major Public Safety Investments

In September, the City broke ground on the North Central Public Safety Building, a $40 million, 30,600-square-foot facility that will house the 22nd Police District and a new Police Athletic League (PAL) Center. This marks the first newly constructed district police station in more than 20 years.

Spotlight: Riverview Wellness Ecosystem

CPO advanced the expansion of the Riverview Wellness Ecosystem by managing renovations to previously shuttered buildings totaling more than 123,000 square feet and 19 acres of site improvements. Design was completed for a new 96,000-square-foot, five-story addition, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2026.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Strategic Goals

Streamlining Operations

CPO is restructuring its Project Controls unit to standardize processes, improve tracking of contracts and invoicing, and reduce payment processing timelines.

Strengthening Facility Assessments

Facility assessments remain central to prioritizing capital investments. In collaboration with client agencies, CPO is developing assessments and master plans to guide short- and long-term capital planning.

Improving Transparency Through Technology

CPO will launch the Capital Projects Finder Dashboard, a public tool that allows residents to explore active and completed capital projects, including project status, budgets, and descriptions.

Modernizing Project Delivery

The department will implement a cloud-based construction management software to improve coordination, project tracking, and financial oversight across more than 300 active projects.

Thank You!

None of this work is possible without the collaboration of City departments, community partners, contractors, designers, and residents across Philadelphia. CPO remains committed to delivering public facilities that are safe, modern, accessible, and built to serve communities for generations to come.

"A better city isn't built by government alone. It takes all of us working together!"

- Aparna Palantino, Deputy Managing Director Director, Capital Program Office