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Well, there’s no stopping it now. After a cold, cruel, prison-like, single-digit-without-the-wind-chill, snow-measured-in-feet, will-it-ever-end winter, spring is ineluctably – and deliciously – upon us. (Forecast for today? FIFTY. Take that, Old Man winter.)
More than most years, this year’s spring is cause for savoring and celebrating. Enjoy the fact that going outside is actually pleasant. Throw open your windows. Fist-bump your neighbors. Over-tip your barista. Oh, look: the flowers are budding!
This year especially, don’t get cheated in enjoying and welcoming spring. This year, we earned it.
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Of late, CCRA has explored a cross-section of local venues by having our monthly meeting travel throughout our catchment area. This month, our meeting was held at the Village of Industry & Art (Broad and Pine), a repurposed historic building, now ready to enhance our neighborhood as a gathering spot for “creatives”. Here’s the inside scoop from its Leasing and Community Manager, Lily Goodspeed:
The Village of Industry & Art is a project by Scout that reimagines the historic Haviland and Frank Furness buildings at Broad and Pine Streets to continue as a center for supporting Philadelphia’s creative life. Rooted in the building’s legacy of industry, experimentation and craft, the Village of Industry & Art supports artists, designers and cultural producers with space to work, reside, and collaborate in the heart of the city — keeping creativity and working craftspeople embedded in this place where it has always thrived. We aspire to continue to honor this temple to the arts and support the most industrious people in Philadelphia’s cultural community.
As of March 2026, the Village of Industry & Art is beginning to welcome its first tenants, such as the Ceramics Dept, Monument Lab, BlackStar Projects and a number of small makers and fine artists. In early May, Frankie's Summer Club will come back to 15th Street as a seasonal pop-up bar and hospitality space. On the Broad Street side, events programming will begin in earnest through late Spring and early Summer. Our first activation along Broad is a collaborative art show with Paradigm Gallery, and features the incredible work of Kay Healy as "Don't Trash a Good Thing." The gallery is open every weekday from 9 am to 5 pm, and you can access it at 320 S Broad by using the intercom for "the Gallery."
| | The 250th Celebration: Should We Stay or Should We Go? | | |
Join CCRA for a community forum moderated by Larry Platt of The Philadelphia Citizen and featuring Kathryn Ott Lovell the President & CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation & Philadelphia250.
They will be joined by senior SEPTA, FIFA World Cup, and City leaders who will cover topics important to us including:
- Public safety and emergency planning
- SEPTA service and transportation logistics
- Trash collection, and
- How Center City residents can participate and make the 250th historic for everyone
More than a million visitors will visit Philadelphia to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. How will the festivities affect daily life for city residents?
CCRA wants you to understand what plans are in place to maintain essential city services and minimize disruptions for those of us who live here. Join us on April 9th and get the answers.
The event is FREE for CCRA members, and just $20 for non-members. But if you join CCRA now, you can attend this information-packed event for free.
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Following the Trash Town Hall, CCRA’s Trash Committee, in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Sanitation and SWEEP, has begun distributing a letter to property owners and across Center City West highlighting common sanitation and litter violations and outlining best practices for proper trash and recycling set-out.
Our first mailing has been sent to more than 330 property owners and managers on Spruce Street (17th–21st) and Walnut Street (21st–24th). On these same blocks, committee members have also posted laminated educational flyers highlighting best practices for proper trash and recycling set-out.
The issue in Center City West is not a lack of good rules, but rather a need for greater awareness and consistent enforcement. Our strategy is to re-educate the community about existing sanitation violations while supporting and advocating for stronger enforcement alongside our city partners to reduce trash on our sidewalks.
We are currently preparing our second round of mailings, which will expand this outreach to additional blocks across Center City West.
Read the Property Owner Letter
Learn more about the CCRA Trash Strategy
We will continue to share sidewalk trash updates in this section of the newsletter as this effort expands to create a cleaner, more beautiful neighborhood.
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Zoning Committee Agenda
Tuesday, March 24 at 7 pm
Via Zoom
Here is the meeting agenda.
| | Musings from a New CCRA Board Member | | |
One of the things I love most about living in Center City is the sense that our neighborhood is constantly evolving. It is shaped not only by new buildings and businesses, but by the people who care enough to be involved. That’s what inspired me to join the board of the Center City Residents’ Association this past January, and just a few months into my term, I’ve already seen how much dedicated residents can accomplish when they work together. When I joined the board, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. What I’ve quickly discovered is that serving on the board is a rewarding way to get connected to our neighborhood and the people in it in a way that is genuine to you.
CCRA board service provides the opportunity to meet residents from across Center City with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Some board members have lived in the neighborhood for decades, while others are newer to the area. That mix of experiences creates thoughtful conversations and a shared commitment to making our neighborhood thrive. It's inspiring to see the level of care, energy and dedication that so many residents bring to improving Center City. CCRA plays an active role in shaping the neighborhood through advocacy, programming, and events, and serving on the board provides a unique opportunity to contribute to those efforts.
What I’ve come to appreciate most is that board service truly offers a personalized approach to involvement. While there are basic expectations for board service, you have the opportunity to participate in ways that matter to you most. Since starting my term, I’ve attended board meetings, participated in community events, begun to help with some behind-the-scenes technology projects, and recently joined the Development Committee. It’s been a great combination of applying professional skills while also exploring areas I’m excited to learn more about. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved in the community, I would encourage you to be an active CCRA participant and consider running for the CCRA board when the opportunity arises. It’s a meaningful way to meet neighbors, contribute your ideas and skills, and play a role in shaping the future of the place we call home.
Lexi Chavin
Feel free to email here to inquire about stepping in/stepping up.
| | CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | | |
CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we spotlight Merchant Partner Eye Candy Vision.
The Eyes Have It at Eye Candy Vision
What do people look for in an eyeglass emporium? They want it all, of course: Regular glasses, progressives, contact lenses, sunglasses. Great Selection, great Style, great Service. How about an on-premises Optician and Lab? Eye Candy Vision on S. 20th St. just off Rittenhouse has all that and more.
Their display window alone is to die for. (Disbelieve? Just ask Yelp.)
What could be better? Well, how’s this: CCRA members receive a 20% discount.
(Discount cannot be combined with other sales, discounts or insurance programs.)
| New Merchant Partner Deal | |
Philadelphia Theatre Company closes out its 2026 season with a major national spotlight: Wilderness Generation has been named a “Top Show to See This Spring” by The New York Times. From Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames, this sharp, funny, and deeply felt world premiere brings four cousins back to their family home in the Tidewater South for one unforgettable weekend of reckoning, laughter, and long-buried truths. Don’t miss the chance to see one of the most talked-about new plays of the season—on stage right here in Philadelphia.
All performances take place at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Center City Residents’ Association (CCRA) members receive 10% off tickets to Wilderness Generation throughout the run of the show. Use promo code CCRA when purchasing. This offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other discount.
Unlock discount here.
| | Reminder: Come Help Spruce Up Our Bike Lanes (Free Exercise Included) | | |
Join with Philly Bike Action and Center City Residents' Association (CCRA) to clean up the Spruce St bike lane in Center City West. We'll be meeting on March 29th at Noon at the southeast corner of 15th and Spruce, and work our way west on Spruce, to 22nd. Attendees are encouraged to bring brooms, shovels, and gloves, but materials will also be provided. Come on out, meet your Center City neighbors, and help make our neighborhood a little more beautiful!
Please RSVP (optional) to help us plan!
| | An “Egg-celent” Fitler Square Hunt | | |
This Saturday, March 21 at 12 pm, the Friends of Fitler Square Park (23rd & Pine) are hosting an Easter egg hunt for kids aged 18 mo-10yrs old. It’s a byob (bring your own basket) event, as children will search for brightly colored eggs containing prizes and other goodies. Juice and cookies will also be available.
For more information, visit here.
| | Shaping the Future of Philly’s Trails: Your Voice Needed! | |
If you’re among the thousands of people who take a walk or bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail, you know how vital these greenways are to life in Center City. To ensure our trail network continues to grow and serve everyone effectively, the City of Philadelphia has launched a fresh look at the Trail Master Plan—and they want to hear from you.
The original Trail Master Plan, established in 2013, laid the groundwork for Philadelphia’s trails as essential transportation and recreation corridors. This new update aims to create a truly world-class network by focusing on better connectivity, dedicated maintenance, and improved safety and etiquette.
Bridging the Gap: Trails vs. Bike Lanes
For Center City residents, the "trail" doesn't end where the pavement meets the street. A key goal of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission is to ensure these off-street paths integrate seamlessly with our existing on-street bike lanes.
Whether you are transitioning from the Schuylkill River Trail onto the Pine or Spruce Street lanes, or navigating the connection between the Delaware River Trail and the Market Street protected lanes, the City needs to know where the "friction points" are. Your feedback can help prioritize:
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Better Signage: Making it easier to find trail entrances from city streets.
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Safety Transitions: Improving the intersections where high-speed trails meet urban traffic.
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Continuous Routes: Identifying gaps where a protected bike lane should lead directly into a trail trailhead.
How You Can Get Involved
The Department of Planning and Development is looking for direct community input through two primary channels:
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Take the Citywide Trails Survey: Share how you currently use the trails and what improvements you’d like to see. The survey is available in 13 languages and takes only a few minutes.
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Bonus: Participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $25 gift cards (drawing closes August 31, 2026).
- Complete the Citywide Trails Survey
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Become a Philadelphia Trail Ambassador: Are you passionate about your community and our local trails? The City is recruiting Philadelphia Trail Ambassadors to act as "trusted listeners and messengers." No prior experience is required, and training is provided.
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Stipend: Ambassadors receive a $600 stipend for their work (roughly $50/hour).
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Deadline: Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Apply to be a Trail Ambassador
Why It Matters for Center City
As residents of one of the most walkable areas in the country, our feedback is crucial in defining how trails connect to our streets and neighborhoods. Whether you're concerned about trail maintenance or want to see better links between Center City and the rest of the trail network, this is your chance to influence the City's priorities.
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Dust off your sunglasses—the PHS Pop Up Garden is back! The garden opened up this past Friday, March 13th. Come shake off the winter chill with a cold brew and those garden vibes you’ve been missing all winter. Between now and March 27th, they’ll be open whenever the sun is shining (keep an eye on their Instagram Stories for daily weather calls (@PHSPopUpGardens on Instagram and Facebook).
The Deets:
The Vibe: Live music, greenery, and a stacked lineup of classes and giveaways.
The Full Pour: Starting March 27th, they’re back to being open 7 days a week.
For the down low, dig in here.
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | | Food Fit for a Passover Table | | |
From matzo ball soup, beef brisket, potato kugel and macaroons, to a variety of other specially prepared edibles for Passover, there’s a local restaurant or food vendor that has just what you need. Our friends at Billy Penn have compiled a list of area businesses offering Passover menus and goodies. Included in the list are:
Fiore Fine Foods, 2413 Frankford Avenue
Biederman’s, 824 Christian Street
Schlessinger’s Delicatessen, 1521 Locust Street
K’far Cafe, 110 South 1 9th Street
Bart’s Bagels, 3945 Lancaster Avenue & 769 South 19th Street
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, 700 South 4th Street
Hymie’s Delicatessen, 342 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd
Some vendors offer a la carte selections and others provide a full dinner at a per-person charge. For more information and dates of availability, visit each vendor’s web site or click here.
| | The Wit-Out Meat Vegan Cheesesteak Contest | | |
The Championship!
When: Mon, April 13th at 4 – 8:30 pm
Where: Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square
Championship of the Best Vegan Cheesesteak in Philly contest, involving four celebrity judges who will evaluate three finalist cheesesteaks and determine a winner. Discover the recipient of this year's top prize and experience offerings from some of the leading finalists selected through citywide voting. To sample the wares, follow your nose here.
| | Community News and Events | | Help Renovate Greenfield’s Playground | | |
Greenfield’s Auction: Growing Greenfield Together is raising funds to renovate our playground—an improvement that benefits not only our students, but also the entire neighborhood. We invite local businesses to support the project by becoming an event sponsor or donating an auction item or experience.
Sponsorship offers meaningful visibility for your business, elevating awareness among local families and community members while showing your commitment to supporting kids and community spaces.
Your support helps strengthen our school, our neighborhood, and the broader Greenfield community. Learn more here.
Thank you for considering a partnership with Greenfield.
| | Who Invented Rock ’n’ Roll? Let’s Settle It Together | | |
As part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s celebration of the 250th Celebration, one lively event hopes to answer a big question and offer great music to the community: Who really invented Rock ’n’ Roll? Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 24 from 6–7:30pm at the library’s Parkway Central branch (1901 Vine Street) and join the debate to crown the true King or Queen of rock.
The contenders include legends like Chuck Berry, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Elvis Presley, Big Mama Thornton, Louis Jordan, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and Jackie Brenston. Rock ’n’ roll is a powerful blend of musical styles and influences that evolved over time.
Join music historian Stephen Tow for an interactive seminar exploring its roots. You’ll listen to tracks from each contender, dive into the history, and weigh in on who deserves the title.
Come for the music, stay for the debate, and see where you land.
RSVP here.
| | Walk, Shop, Repeat: Open Streets Returns to Center City | | |
Philadelphia's Open Streets program is back and bigger than ever in 2026, with 20 scheduled dates across Center City. Starting Sunday, April 5, several blocks of Walnut Street and 18th Street will close to cars every Sunday through May 17, from 10 am to 5 pm
The program invites residents to stroll, shop, and enjoy outdoor activities like yoga and on-street dining while giving local businesses a boost. Events will also come to Midtown Village and the Gayborhood in June, with more dates in West Walnut and Rittenhouse in September and October.
For more information and a full list of dates, visit here.
| | And Now We’ve Got To Share the Sidewalk with Robots? | | |
Put your hands together and give a warm welcome to delivery robots in Center City, something straight out of The Jetsons.
After a year of testing in the area, UberEats has introduced their new autonomous delivery as a means to alleviate traffic and cut down on wait times. Now, when you order on the UberEats app, you will see the option for “autonomous delivery” if the algorithm suggests this as the fastest option. Made by Avride, these robots are best suited for short trips, use cameras and radar to navigate, and can hold up 55 pounds of cargo. Avride has commented that these robots blur faces, blur license plates, and do not conduct any data gathering activity. So, if you see these robots on the streets, be kind.
Read and learn more here.
| | Designing the 24-Hour City: Philadelphia After Dark | | |
As Philadelphia gets ready to become the world stage for the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary—the conversation around our city’s "after-dark" identity is reaching a fever pitch. How do we transition from a city that "closes up" to a vibrant, safe, and inclusive 24-hour ecosystem?
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Design Advocacy Group (DAG) will host a timely presentation at the Philadelphia Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Square) to explore exactly that.
More Than Just Nightlife
The event, titled Philadelphia After Dark: Designing a City That Works 24/7, features Raheem Manning, the City’s Senior Director of Nighttime Economy. While many associate "nightlife" strictly with bars and clubs, Manning’s work focuses on a broader "nighttime economy" that includes:
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Safety and Vitality: How intentional urban design and lighting can make streets feel safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.
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Economic Inclusion: Supporting the hospitality workers, creatives, and businesses that keep the city running long after the sun goes down.
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Quality of Life: Balancing the high energy of a global tourist destination with the needs of the people who call Center City home.
Why This Matters for CCRA Members
For those of us living in the heart of the city, the "24-hour city" model isn't just about tourism; it’s about how our neighborhoods function every night. The discussion will highlight how architects and planners are shaping spaces to balance vibrancy with livability. As the city prepares for an unprecedented influx of global visitors, this is a critical moment for residents to understand the policies and design choices that will dictate the atmosphere of our streets.
Event Details
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When: Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm
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Where: The Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square
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Presenter: Raheem Manning, Senior Director of Nighttime Economy
The event is a must-attend for anyone curious about how Philadelphia will handle the spotlight of 2026 and beyond. You can find more information and RSVP through the Design Advocacy Group website.
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Editor – Barbara Halpern
Lead Writer – Richard Vaughn
Writer – Marc Werlinsky
Writer - Bob Vogel
Writer - Terry Demchak
Contributor - Bonnie Eisenfeld
| | Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program | | Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a deal or discount to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification. | | CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner. | | | | |
