From Executive Director:
contribute to the success of our district and to the ongoing transformation of Manayunk, dynamic and welcoming place to live, work, shop, and explore.
Gwen McCauley
With great pride and optimism for what lies ahead, I as well as the Manayunk Deve men staff looksforward to another year of working for your community.
Warm regards,
Gwen McCauley Executive Director
MSSD Mission
The Manayunk Special Services District (MSSD) was established in 1997 under the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945 and is supported by the City of Philadelphia and the City Council.
MSSD's mission is to create a clean, attractive, safe, and well-managed business district so that Manayunk can successfully compete as an environment to live, dine, and visit. MSSD initiates capital improvements and manages sidewalk cleaning and beautification of public space within the district.
BID Boundary Map
MSSD Board of Directors
Name
Business
Jordan Abrams Abrams 2029
Chris Barnes Lucky’s Last Chance 2030
Bruce Cooper Jake’s & Cooper’s Wine Bar 2027
Brian Corcodilos DesignBlendz 2027
Sean Coyle The Goat’s Beard 2028
Brandy Deieso The Little Apple 2026
Lisa Lamprou LILA Philadelphia 2026
Chris Maguire Tubby Robot 2026
Norma Mann Gary Mann Jewelers 2028
Brendan McGrew Mia Rigazza 2030
Dan Neducsin Neducsin Properties 2030
Rob Neducsin Neducsin Properties 2029
Bill O’Brien Manayunk Law Office 2027
Steve Olszewski Baker Street Properties 2027
Martin Pulli Martin Pulli Designs 2028
David Richards RichardsApex 2029
Mike Rose Manayunk Brewing Co. 2029
Tim Spinner Taqueria Amor 2028
Glen Topkinson The Penn Group of Companies 2027
*Note:
The Board of Directors is nominated each year in a general election of all assessees
The Board can appoint any additional members as it deems necessary
After elections, the new nominees are submitted to the City of Philadelphia Mayor's office of Business Improvement Districts
Appointed to the BID Board by the Mayor for a 5-year term
Terms are staggered so that an equal number of Board Members rotate off each year
The MSSD has no staff; all MSSD initiatives are implemented by the MDC and its staff
Next Election: April 2026
Vision:
Through shared stewardship collaborating with local organizations, Manayunk Development Corporation and its members envision a thriving business district and vibrant community that work together to advance diversity and sustainability while promoting Manayunk as an ideal destination to live, shop, dine, and play.
MDC Board of Directors
A YEAR IN REVIEW
JUNE 2024 - JUNE 2025
Year in Review: Visitors
Year in Review: Projects
Cupid’s Bookshop
In April, Cupid’s Bookshop became the first tenant in our incubator space, launching as Philadelphia’s first romance-focused bookshelf. Since opening, the shop has garnered significant positive press and quickly established itself as a beloved destination for readers across the city. Cupid’s Bookshop has played a key role in enhancing the retail landscape in Manayunk, drawing new visitors and contributing to the vibrancy of the corridor. Their early success demonstrates the power of nurturing emerging entrepreneurs through dedicated space and support.
Flat Rock Dam
Completed in April and officially celebrated with a ribbon-cutting in late June, the Flat Rock Dam project successfully reconnected the Manayunk Canal to the Schuylkill River for the first time in approximately 80 years. This initiative has reintroduced water flow into the canal, dramatically improving water quality and supporting the return of larger aquatic species. The work, spanning nearly three years, also preserved historic dam structures and incorporated green infrastructure. The restored canal reinforces the neighborhood’s unique connection to its historic waterway.
Year in Review: Projects
Manayunk Bridge Lighting
In 2025, we completed the reinstallation of spotlighting for the Manayunk Bridge, restoring a key visual and symbolic landmark that was damaged during Hurricane Ida in 2021. Supported by FEMA and in partnership with lighting design experts Grenald Waldron Associates, the new system not only replaces what was lost but enhances it, offering greater control, efficiency, and visual impact. The vibrant lighting now highlights the historic bridge and serves as a welcoming beacon at the gateway to Main Street, reinforcing Manayunk’s identity and commitment to resilience, placemaking, and public realm improvements.
Award Winning Flood Mitigation Plan
Year in Review: Projects
Riverside Pizza Mural
Completed in 2025 through a partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, a stunning new mural by acclaimed artist César Viveros now brings color and meaning to the side wall of Riverside Pizza at 4217 Main Street. This vibrant work honors the Manayunk Towpath, depicting its natural beauty and spirit through symbolic and ecological elements. At the center are a falcon and a redbelly turtle surrounded by native flora including winterberries, summersweets, black-eyed Susans, and ferns. The mural not only enhances the streetscape but also deepens the community’s connection to the canal path, blending Manayunk’s artistic vibrancy with its environmental heritage.
Reimagining the Wissahickon Gateway
With the upcoming completion of the new Wissahickon Gateway Transfer Station, the firm Simone Collins was engaged to lead a visioning process for the former transfer station site. In collaboration with the community and Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) such as the Manayunk Neighborhood Council and Wissahickon Neighbors, Simone Collins developed a comprehensive plan to transform the site into a key connection point linking Kelly Drive, the Schuylkill River Trail, and the Manayunk Towpath. The resulting plan reflects community aspirations for improved accessibility, multimodal transportation, and strategic reinvestment in riverfront infrastructure.
Year in Review: Maintenance
The MDC employs 3 full-time maintenance crew members to ensure the entirety ofthe Manayunk Special Services District stays clean and free of litter7 days per week.
Roles & Responsibilities
Ensure the entire district stays clean including:
Main Street from Ridge Ave to Leverington Ave
Leverington Ave from Main Street to Umbria Street
Cresson Street and Side
Streets between Shurs Lane and Green Lane
Venice Island & the Manayunk Towpath between Lock Street and Leverington Avenue
The Entrance to the Manayunk Bridge
Green Lane Bridge
Sidewalk and Street Cleaning
Emptying trash and recycling containers in the district
Graffiti & Sticker Removal
Repairing damaged equipment and neighborhood amenities
Restocking dog waste bags
Event day setup, breakdown, and trash removal
Seasonal tasks including landscaping, watering of plants, flowers, planters, and trees, raking leaves, snow removal and salting at public areas.
Annual Numbers
(Estimated 2024)
15,000 bags of trash and recycling
20,000 dog waste bags
113 bags of mulch & potting soil
500+ Graffiti tags covered
120 Planters Managed
1300+ plants & flowers planted and watered
Year in Review: Events
Each year, Manayunk’s lineup of events continue to strengthen and grow. In collaboration with Manayunk businesses, local vendors, artists and performers, sponsors, and the community overall, the neighborhood showcases its creativity and liveliness with events like Manayunk Gets Lit, StrEAT Food Festival, The Manayunk Arts Festival, and more. We’ve been seeing our event numbers grow in different ways from attendance to media hits to merchandise sales.
Upcoming 2025-26 Events
Stroll After Hours
July 10, 17, 24, 31
Dog Day of Summer
Saturday, August 16th
Out & About in MNYK
Saturday, October 4th
MNYK Fall Fest
Saturday, October 18th
Halloween in MNYK
Saturday, October 25th
Tree Lighting
Thursday, November 20th
Small Business Saturday
November 29th
Jolly Trolley
Weekends in December
Founders Philly Freeze-Out
Saturday, January 31st
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival
Sunday, April 19th
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival
Saturday, June 27th & Sunday, June 28th
Year in Review: Press Coverage
TELLINGTHE MANAYUNKSTORY!
MDC worked for the 2nd year with Aversa Public Relations. A total of over 825+ media hitsfor our district, our events, and our businesses!!
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Holidays &Get Lit – 99+ stories
• Founders Freeze - 58+ Stories
• Wingwomen - 29+ Stories
• StrEAT - 94+ Stories
• Arts Festival - 73+ Stories
Manayunk was featured on the following platforms:
NEWSPAPERS:
Chestnut Hill Local
Chesco Times
Coatesville Times
Daily Local
Daily Times
Downingtown Times
Gloucester City Times
Kennett Times
Lansdale Reporter
Main Line Times
Metro
NE Times
Philadelphia Business Journal
Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Tribune
Pottstown Mercury
Reading Eagles
Times Herald
Trentonian
Unionville Times
MAGAZINES:
Main Line Today
Philadelphia Magazine
Philadelphia Style Magazine
Row Home Magazine
Time Out Magazine
TELEVISION:
ABC 6
CBS 3
CW PHILLY 57
FOX 28
NBC 10
PHL 17
TELEMUNDO 62
RADIO: B101
BIG 98.1 FM
BEN FM
KYW 1060 NEWS RADIO
FANATIC
TODAY'S HITS
WDAS
WHYY
WJBR
WMGK
WMMR
WXTU
ONLINE SITES/BLOGGERS:
Axios
Billy Penn-WHYY
Brenda on Broad
Broadway World
Dosage Magazine
East Coast Traveller
Eater
Guide to Philly
Keystone News
Kid Friendly Philly
Main Line Parent
Mommy Poppins
Montco Today
My Chesco
My Philly Alive
NJ Family
NJ Stage Patch
Penn Live
Philadelphia Citizen
Philly Bite Magazine
Philly Caller
Philly Chit Chat
Philly Family Magazine
Philly Happening
Philly Voice
SEPTA
Secret Philadelphia Thrillist
Visit Philly
Where Philly
Wooder Ice
+ Others
Year in Review: Sponsors
These brands help support our events and our district.
Year in Review: Social Media
Facebook Instagram Threads
FOLLOWERS
REACH / PAGE VIEWS
**META does not offer analytics for this platform yet
Audience Profile
Year in Review: MDC Members
Action Karate
AFC Fitness
All Canine Academy
Armen's Custom Tailor Studio Artesano
Awakenings Pole Dance Fitness
Baker Street Partners
Bar Jawn
Bark Social
Bark.Play.Love
Bayou Bar and Grill
Bendi Jewelers
Benny Peretti's Pizza Blondie
Boostin Bowls
C&A Commercial and Residential
Cleaning Services
Cactus Cantina
Canalside Manayunk
Chabaa Thai
Chloe Madeleine Salon
Chloe's Corner
Christine Ertz (The Main Street Team @ Real)
Citrine Glow Medispa
City of Paws Pet Care
Creative Collective
Cresson Inn
D's Treasures
Dara's Mediterranean
Designblendz / Lincoln Mills
Haunted House
dtXfy Infrared Sauna Studio
Emerge Fitness
Expect Lace
Fat Lady Brewing
Flat Rock Investments
Friends of Pretzel Park
Galbraith & Paul
Gary Mann Jewelers
Gild + Olive
Goals Fit
Golden Hour Aesthetics Wellness & Spa
Greg's KitchenGross McCleaf
Gallery
Heartstrong Chiropractic @ Active Care
Hen Solo
HeyDay Athletic
HotBox Yoga
Inspired Movement Pilates
Intercommunity Action
Intrins Inq LLC
J D McGillicuddy's
Jake's and Cooper's
Jedidiah Gallery
Jinxed
Johnny Destructo's Hero Complex
Jordan Abrams
JPG Photo & Video
La Roca Manayunk
Launchpad Fitness
LILA Philadelphia
Loring Building Products Co.
Lucky's Last Chance
Lucky's Trading Co. / Sunshine
Sandwich Shop / Eda's
Main Street Music
Main Street Pho
Manayunk Apartments (71 Management)
Manayunk Brewery
Manayunk Chambers Guest House
Manayunk iPhone Repair
Manayunk Law Office
Manayunk Pooch Scoochers
Marchiano's Bakery
Martin Pulli
Matt Jastremski Consulting
Maxcare Chiropractic (Dr Lazaroff)
McKenzie Sports Physical Therapy
Mi N' Tea
Mia Ragazza
Minor Details
Miranda Massages Me
MoJerky
Mosaic Massage
Neducsin Properties
Never Give Up Training
New Leaf II
North Light Community Center
Northern Children's Services
Orbit Gallery
PADELphia
Paychex
Pet Friendly Dog Bakery
Philadelphia Runner
PHS Pop-Up Beergarden
Pilgrim Roasters
Pizza Jawn
Platform Z
Propper View Apartments
Redmond Gallery
Remix
RichardsApex, Inc
RowZone Fitness
Ryan's Pub
Safa Plant Co
Salon L Manayunk
Scallywags Dog Daycare
She Is... (formerly known as Salon Mane)
Sissy Pooh
SOMO Manayunk
Starfinder Foundation
Starshine Salon
Style Of Man
Sulimay's Studio
Taqueria Amor
TD Bank
The Brass Tap
The Couch Tomato Cafe & Tomato Bistro
The Eyeglass Works
The Glen at Shawmont Station
The Goat's Beard
The Herbal Zen
The Isle Apartments
The Little Apple
The Nice Needle Nurse
The Rook
The Royal Athena (Bozzuto)
The Wall Cycling Studio
TOP TAILS Pet Sitting
Tsaocaa
Tubby Robot
Union Tap House
Unity Yoga
Urbanburb Furniture
US Hotel
Valerio
Vamp Boutique
Venice Island Performing Arts Center
Vibe Philly Events
Volo Coffeehouse
Whole House Fine Furniture
Wilson's Estate Jewelry
Winnie's Manayunk
Yanako
Zesty's
Executive
Contact: 267-270-3078 gmccauley@manayunk.org
Contact: 267-270-3080
jdenenberg@manayunk.org
jgasarowski@manayunk.org
cferro@manayunk.org
