From our President
Mythbusting Through the Power of Data and Placemaking
On May 1, the Center City District team presented our annual signature research report, State of Center City. The report was reimagined for 2025— in part, to reflect CCD’s organizational vision that “Center City is Philadelphia’s heart of commerce, culture, and connection, generating opportunity and prosperity for the entire city and region.”
These three pillars provide the framework for understanding present-day Center City and its future potential.
While State of Center City was given a fresh look, the statistical and analytical rigor for which the report is well known remain as thorough as ever. That attention to detail has never been more important in dispelling calcified narratives about our downtown.
Five years ago, when pandemic lockdowns emptied Center City overnight, crisis narratives quickly arose: downtowns were “dead,” offices were “over,” and dense urban living had lost its appeal in a work-from-anywhere world. The temporary increase in crime during the summer of 2020 calcified these narratives.
Relentless local news coverage highlighting isolated incidents and social media algorithms designed to engage and enrage spread these perceptions widely. These outdated but persistent crisis narratives continue to inform individual choices about where to live, work, and invest, despite data telling a different story.
Prema Katari Gupta President & CEO Center City District
The gap between perception and reality is particularly evident in discussions about public safety. Research from Brookings Metro demonstrates that across major cities including Philadelphia, while fear of crime downtown is a dominant narrative affecting urban recovery, actual crime data tells a different story.
Violent crime in Center City has remained low but relatively stable between 2019 and 2024, However, perceptions of safety fell dramatically in 2020 and have not fully recovered, despite crime rates returning to or falling below 2019 figures.
Those primed to see urban decline often conflate visible homelessness and quality-of-life challenges with crime rates, despite the lack of statistical correlation between these phenomena. Overall, Center City has recaptured 90% of its
pre-pandemic foot traffic. Workers returning to offices, patrons filling restaurants and cultural venues, visitors exploring historic sites, patients accessing medical facilities, and shoppers visiting retail streets all contribute to the vibrant street life that defines successful downtowns.
Center City is Philadelphia’s most concentrated employment hub, with 42% of city jobs, more than half of which do not require a college degree. Citywide employment now exceeds 1980 levels for the first time in 45 years, with Greater Center City adding 22,000 jobs year-over-year.
Center City’s residential population hasn’t just recovered but has grown beyond pre-pandemic levels. Some downtown ZIP codes have seen population increases of more than 50% since 2000, while Center City experienced an 81% population increase between 1990 and 2020.
Workers living within two miles of Center City are returning to offices at rates approaching 90%. Philadelphia ranks seventh among major downtowns in pedestrian recovery rates and is among the top markets for non-resident worker return with a rate of 74%, equivalent to Boston and outpacing Lower Manhattan. Ridership across the SEPTA system has surged 71% in just three years, while trips made by bike into Center City are up 67% from 2019 levels.
Challenges remain, requiring collaborative solutions. While Trophy office buildings maintain a healthy 12% vacancy rate, Class A buildings face a concerning 25% vacancy—highlighting the need for strategic repositioning. Transit funding uncertainty threatens the critical mobility network that is Center City’s lifeblood, requiring regional advocacy and sustainable funding solutions.
There is significant work to do on quality-of-life challenges, including addressing the citywide fentanyl and homelessness crises. In 2024 alone, our dedicated homeless outreach teams assisted 136 unsheltered people into housing and support services. By tackling these issues through coordinated public-private partnerships and datadriven interventions, we can strengthen both the reality and perception of Center City.
With the intent of correcting misperceptions through placemaking, CCD launched Open Streets on West Walnut Street last fall—temporarily closing seven blocks to vehicles on select Sundays. The initiative, which returns in June to Midtown Village, has proven our thesis that streets filled with people generate more commerce than streets filled with cars.
The evidence is clear: Center City Philadelphia in 2025 is reinventing itself as a more resilient, diverse, and dynamic downtown. We invite you to read State of Center City 2025— and join us at Open Streets—to look beyond preconceptions and recognize the remarkable urban center that continues to drive our region’s economic and cultural prosperity.
Summertime Fun at CCD Parks
Dilworth Park
Rothman Orthopaedics
Roller Rink Daily, Through June 29
Matinee Skate
Mondays & Tuesdays, 2:45–5 p.m. Through June 24
Center City Fit: Zumba Presented by Rothman Orthopaedics
Tuesdays, 6–7 p.m. Through October 7
Philadelphia Marketplace* Fridays & Saturdays, 12–6 p.m. Through June 28
*On June 27–28, the Marketplace will host a Vintage Marketplace Takeover featuring vendors selling vintage clothing and accessories.
Happy Hour
Tuesdays – Thursdays, 5–7 p.m. Through August 28
Arts on Center Stage Thursdays, 6–7 p.m. Through August 28
Live @ Lunch
Wednesdays, 12–1 p.m. Through July 30
Center City District Sips Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m. Through August 27
Sister Cities Park
Parkway Pals Tuesday – Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Through August 14
Cret Park
Sunday Live Sundays, 4–6 p.m. Through July 27
For more event details, visit ccdparks.org
Showcase your brand at a CCD park! For information, contact rentals@centercityphila.org
Dilworth Park
Join our team!
For information, visit centercityphila.org/jobs
Fly, Dilworth, Fly Staff Stories
Thanks to quick thinking by CCD staff, an injured red-tailed hawk is flying the skies of Philadelphia again.
The 1-year-old male hawk was downed at Dilworth Park in March after being attacked by City Hall’s peregrine falcons, likely because he flew too close to the falcons’ nest. After remaining still on the ground for a half hour, with CCD staff keeping curious human onlookers at a safe distance, he tried to fly away and was again bombarded before crashing to the Dilworth Park Café roof.
CCD staff brought a ladder to check on the stunned raptor, who was rescued by public safety manager John Crichton and community service representative Raymond Nardi. A volunteer from the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education was contacted and soon arrived to bring the hawk to the rescue center.
Nicknamed Dilworth, the hawk spent about a month at the center and was treated for eye and head injuries. He was released in Fairmount Park – far from the protective peregrines of City Hall and their nest.
Employee spotlights
Meet Curts Charles, director of billing and collections, and Andrea McPherson, community service representative
As CCD’s director of billing and collections services, Curts is responsible for coordinating, preparing, and sending out annual billing notices to property owners in the District, maintaining accurate and up-to-date property information and acting as the liaison with property owners to address questions and concerns. When he’s not at CCD, Curts plays volleyball competitively and coaches volleyball for the Special Olympics.
Andrea is on CCD’s team of community service representatives, who walk Center City’s sidewalks seven days a week and are trained to provide directions, administer first aid, and answer questions of all kinds. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys hiking and birdwatching at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and taking in the beautiful native flowers and plants at Bartram’s Gardens.
Read more about Curts and Andrea on our blog: centercityphila.org/blog
John Crichton and Ray Nardi
Dilworth the Hawk
CCD News
Celebrating the life of Moses Pierce
In April, CCD held a memorial service at Sister Cities Park for the family, friends and former colleagues of Moses Pierce, a community service representative for 30 years who retired in 2021 and passed away at the age of 77. In his obituary published in The Philadelphia Inquirer on April 15, Moses was remembered as “a walking Philadelphia historian who can toss off a dozen sunny sayings in a 15-minute conversation.”
Anniversary breakfast
CCD holds an annual breakfast for all staff during our anniversary month in March. This longtime tradition provides an opportunity to celebrate our cleaners, CSRs, security, parks and horticulture staff and office staff. Special guests at this year’s breakfast included City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and (via video) Philadelphia Eagles legendary retired defensive end Brandon Graham, who thanked the on-street teams for keeping Center City clean, safe and welcoming every day of the year.
Bring your child to work day
A newer annual tradition invites CCD staff to bring their children to the office for a day of fun. This year’s agenda for CCD kids included snacks, crafts, skating at the Rothman Roller Rink, and a visit from Spiderman himself (a.k.a. friendly neighborhood Director of Billing and Collections Services Curts Charles, seen unmasked on page 5).
Read about our teams in teal: centercityphila.org/ccd-services
When the weather warms up, the pressure washers come out in Center City. In addition to CCD’s pan-and-broom cleaning team and “Green Machine” mechanical sweepers who keep district sidewalks clean year-round, regular power washing began in early April — often in the early-morning hours before offices and shops open for the day — to blast away tough stains and accumulated grime that cannot be removed by sweeping alone. Pressure washing takes place at least once a month and more frequently when needed. The pressure is on: It’s powerwashing season in Center City
Retail Roundup
Open Streets: Midtown Village
Our popular Sunday street closure program on Rittenhouse Row, Open Streets: West Walnut, was such a hit that we expanded it to new turf. On four consecutive Sundays from June 8 to June 29, Open Streets: Midtown Village was created for pedestrians to stroll nearly six blocks of car-free space while enjoying expanded outdoor dining, shopping and ambient entertainment.
Learn more at centercityphila.org/openstreets
Shop women-owned businesses
For our list of womenowned businesses in Center City, visit: centercityphila.org/blog
The more we support women-owned businesses, the better the future looks for everyone and the economy benefits in ways that ripple far beyond a single sale. Fortunately for us, Center City is home to dozens of retailers, restaurateurs, and service providers owned by women. Our blog features a list compiled in March to celebrate Women’s History Month.
Let’s Do Lunch!
We’re launching a new lunch promotion with a select group of Center City restaurants, cafes and fast-casual eateries. Let’s Do Lunch happens Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 24 through August 14, when groups of two or more can take advantage of two-course lunch deals. The 2-for-$30 offer includes two entrees plus a shared appetizer or dessert.
Find the participants list at centercityphila.org/ letsdolunch
Cheers! Sips season is here
Center City District Sips celebrates its 21st birthday this year. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through August 27, dozens of bars and restaurants are taking part in Philadelphia’s favorite happy hour tradition with food and drink discounts you’ll only find in Center City. After 7 p.m., select locations are offering 15% off dinner.
Find the participants list at ccdsips.com
Support AAPI businesses
To mark Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, we created a guide to the many AAPI businesses in Center City highlighting the rich and diverse history, heritage and contributions of these entrepreneurs. Visit our blog for a list, which spans from bars and restaurants to gift shops and cafes.
New & noteworthy
New arrivals include modular sofa store 7th Avenue, fashion brand Aritzia, fast-casual restaurant Dave’s Hot Chicken, darts venue Flight Club, golf simulator Five Iron Golf, and virtual reality hub Sandbox VR.
Find the latest list of Center City retailers on our blog: centercityphila.org/blog
Art vending machine
Philadelphia-based artist Fabiola Lara’s illustrations have appeared in The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, and now you can buy her work in Center City for just four quarters. Check out her mini-print vending machine inside the Dilworth Park Café.
Dig into the details at centercityphila.org/ datadashboard
Stay informed with the latest research from CCD’s economic development team
State of Center City
Just updated for 2025, our signature yearly research report distills the most recent data available from city, state, and federal agencies; local organizations and businesses; and CCD’s own surveys, pedestrian counts, research and analysis. This comprehensive report examines the key drivers of downtown vitality and investment: new housing, return to the office, retail, employment, arts and culture, transportation, health care and higher education, and travel and tourism.
Read the report at centercityphila.org/socc
Data dashboard
Cycling in Center City
In conjunction with Earth Day 2025, our economic development team took a deep dive into bicycling and its role in facilitating a functional, viable, safe and attractive downtown. The result is an interactive online report examining how cycling has rapidly become a crucial part of urban mobility, what’s in the works to make it safer and easier to cycle, and some ideas for how Center City can continue to differentiate itself and encourage people-powered transportation.
Read the report at centercityphila.org/cycling
Updated monthly, our data dashboard includes interactive pages of information on pedestrian counts, the office market, retail, hospitality, transportation, demographics and details on housing and office occupancy, net absorption and more. Center City District closely monitors key metrics that offer a holistic look at downtown Philadelphia’s performance. Contact data@centercityphila.org with questions.
Center City’s trophy-class office occupancy
Greater Center City’s population growth since 2010
Share of Philadelphia’s total jobs located in Greater Center City
A conversation on “Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities”
Central Philadelphia Development Corporation’s (CPDC) recent membership meeting — hosted by CPDC member organization Ballard Spahr — provided additional context for our 2025 Center City Housing Report and delved into a larger discussion on the opportunities and obstacles facing downtowns nationwide.
Following a discussion of the housing report, the presentation shifted to key highlights from CBRE’s Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities report led by John Stephens, Senior Director in CBRE’s Americas Consulting practice. The event concluded with a fireside chat between Stephens and CCD Vice President of Economic Development Clint Randall, placing Philadelphia’s strengths and opportunities in the context of this research.
Become a member today
Business leaders who are members of CPDC have access to year-round programs and events from panel discussions to behind-the-scenes hard hat tours of some of Center City’s most exciting projects.
Membership pays for research and member engagement and enables CPDC to continue to provide reliable marketplace information and enhance the competitiveness of Center City.
To learn more about CPDC and how to join, visit joincpdc.org or contact CCD Economic Development Manager Lauren Smith at lsmith@centercityphila.org
joincpdc.org
CCD Economic Development Manager Lauren Smith, CBRE Senior Director John Stephens, and CCD Vice President of Economic Development Clint Randall
supportccdf.org
Summer is special in Center City. The CCD on-street team creates active, beautiful, welcoming places and programs that bring our urban neighborhood to life in ways that benefit us all, from children splashing in fountains to office workers enjoying a sunny lunch outdoors to families gathering for performances and playtime.
Summertime is prime time for the fountains and lawn at Dilworth Park, as well as the Children’s Discovery Garden, boat pond and Parkway Pals programs at Sister Cities Park. Beyond our parks, our Open Streets program — praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “an example of Philadelphia leaders thinking big and sticking the landing” — is creating car-free, pedestrian-rich corridors on select Sundays along Rittenhouse Row and most recently in Midtown Village.
For decades, supporters of the Center City District Foundation (CCDF) have helped us to transform Center City into a clean, active, and welcoming destination for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
When you invest in CCDF, you’re strengthening the heart of Philadelphia. Your contribution, regardless of size, ensures that future generations will enjoy a Center City that remains vibrant, accessible, and joyful.
Join us in our mission. Your tax-deductible gift to the Center City District Foundation directly supports these vital initiatives.
Playtime in the fountain at Sister Cities Park