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  • 17 Sep 2020 11:39 AM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    Now available on YouTube is “Twelve Angry Men … and Women: The Weight of the Wait.”  This is a powerful play performed live for one night and filmed on the painted Black Lives Matter mural on Fulton Street in Bed-Sty.  The NYT said: “[A} bold and vital response to an emergency in progress—and to the infuriating question: Who do you call for help when the people meant to help are the ones who are hurting you?”  Streaming for free on YouTube  through November 3. Running time: 1 hr. 46 min.  Just search the title on YouTube. 

    Those with a Smart TV can download the YouTube app for free.  If you a Firestick or Chromecast you probably already have the YouTube app.

  • 16 Sep 2020 11:24 AM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)


    After more than 20 years, our historic (and hidden!) garden is reopening to the public on September 17.

     The Rosenbach’s garden is a 1,600 square foot green oasis tucked behind the Delancey Place townhomes that house the museum and library. The space is unique in that it is the last original garden left on the block. Others have been converted to parking spaces, building extensions, or never existed in the original blueprint when the townhouses were constructed in the mid-19th century. 

    The Rosenbach are pleased to offer free admission for the first month after opening - though our eager audience has already snapped up the first batch of tickets and slots are sold out through October 3.


  • 16 Sep 2020 11:17 AM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    STOP is a group that is dealing with the ongoing nuisance of ATVs and dirt bikes across Center City. These vehicles are creating huge safety threats and deeply damaging the quality of life for many Center City residents. This link shows a recent CBS report with comments from TOM AYERS, who originally mustered their efforts.

    Please sign this petition to help voice your concerns and save the quality of life in Center City.


  • 16 Sep 2020 11:09 AM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    In anticipation of more outdoor dining venues in the neighborhood (an effort supported by CCRA to help distressed restaurants citywide), L&I has created a from for citizens to notify them about concerns arising from the proposed new venues. You can find the form here. Once you fill out the form, forward it to centercity@centercityresidents.organd we will forward the form on your behalf. L&I will publish an updated list daily of proposed new outdoor dining venues and the form is intended to be submitted as a response within the next day. Please let us know if you have identified a problem which we can bring to their attention.

  • 15 Sep 2020 9:54 AM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    Several protests are planned throughout the city Tuesday ahead of President Trump’s arrival today.

    The protests include:

    • 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – Hold Him to the Truth Vigil outside of 6ABC, 4100 City Avenue
    • 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Town Hall in support of President Trump at Independence Mall in Center City
    • 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – In Memory of the Victims of COVID-19 President Trump protest at Independence Mall in Center City
    • 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Protest President Trump’s Philly Town Hall at Independence Mall in Center City

    The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management is activating the city’s Emergency Operations Center in support of public safety during the President’s visit and protests related to the visit.

    Several street closures will also be in effect Tuesday.

    Market Street to Vine Street and 4th Street to 9th Street will be closed for vehicles beginning around 1 p.m. The road closures will be lifted once the President leaves the National Constitution Center.

    SEPTA is also making changes to some transit lines while President Trump is in town.

    The Market-Frankford Line will bypass the 5th Street Station from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

    Passengers can board the Market-Frankford Line at 2nd and 8th Street Stations.

    Signs will be posted at the station gates to alert passengers where to board.

    SEPTA says several bus routes will also be affected beginning around noon. The impacted bus routes include the 17, 33, 44, 47, and 61.


  • 14 Sep 2020 4:32 PM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    the Office of Public Engagement recently announced the establishment of the Mayor’s Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs (MCFBIA) for the City of Philadelphia.

    MCFBIA will convene a diverse array of members and leaders of local religious congregations, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit agencies to empower greater engagement and advocacy by all residents.

    MCFBIA membership comprises 24 individuals and includes representatives of a wide variety of faith-based communities and organizations from across the city. MCFBIA is constituted as a permanent commission by executive order signed on September 8, 2020.

    “Our new Commission members will ensure that Philadelphia’s diverse faith communities have a seat at the table and that they are represented in the Administration’s decision-making process. I am confident that their input will be key to addressing issues that affect our communities and strengthening connections between Philadelphians and our local government,” said Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs.

    Faith-Based & Interfaith Affairs


  • 14 Sep 2020 4:07 PM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    If six local businessmen have their way, the Drexel Building at 15th & Walnut could be the home of both Philadelphia’s largest restaurant and the sports betting parlor of the future. The venue, to be called “Bankroll”, would be a 24,000 square-foot restaurant, casino and entertainment venue. The location was most recently an LA Fitness, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (http://bit.ly/3gMx5e9)



  • 14 Sep 2020 4:01 PM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    You may recall that on June 8, in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, 14 of the 17 members of City Council sent a letter to Mayor Kenney containing 15 relatively specific recommendations for police department reform, and that the next day, Kenney issued a document titled: "Actions for change: No budget increase, new use-of-force policies, changes to union contract, and more." That document responded affirmatively to each of the 15 recommendations in the June 8 letter, and went much further, with more specifics. The CCRA Board voted to endorse these proposed reforms, and to so advise the Mayor and City Council. In addition, encouraged by Council's and the Mayor's acknowledgments that "police reform cannot wait," that the City must "act decisively," and that we must "seize the moment" and "move quickly because too many lives are being lost," we requested two things: (1) that the Mayor and Councilmembers ask the FOP to renegotiate its contract now, given the centrality of the City's contract with the police union to the implementation of several of the reforms; and (2) that Council convene over its traditional 10-week summer recess in order to hold hearings and enact the legislation necessary to effectuate the proposed reforms. Our June 25 letter, emailed to the Mayor and each Councilmember, concluded with the following: "In keeping with the urgency of the moment, we look forward to a speedy response." 

    Despite sending a follow-up letter on July 29, the only responses we received were from Councilmembers Mark Squilla and Kendra Brooks, with nothing from the Mayor's office. Furthermore, Council did not convene during its summer recess (from June 18 to September 10) nor, to the best of our knowledge, has the Administration or any Councilmember asked the FOP to renegotiate its contract.


  • 12 Sep 2020 10:19 AM | Travis Oliver (Administrator)

    Welcoming immigrants and connecting communities in Philadelphia


    https://www.phila.gov/spotlight/welcoming-week-2020/


Center City Quarterly

CCRA publishes the Center City Quarterly to provide information on Center City people and events from the point of local residents.  You'll be guaranteed to learn something interesting about your neighborhood in every issue!

Archived issues of the Quarterly are provided in Adobe Acrobat format. If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat reader, you can download it directly from Adobe.

Advertisers:  To advertise in the Center City Quarterly, download our AdvertiserForm and email the completed form to centercity@centercityresidents.org or return to us by mail with your payment.  Upon receipt of your completed form, a member of the Newsletter Committee will contact you regarding any specific requirements.

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