The Story of the South Street Renaissance

BY RICK SNYDERMAN, RUTH SNYDERMAN AND AMY GRANT

The South Street Renaissance began in 1964 amongst drifting ashes of a community that just 10 years earlier had been one of the most thriving in Philadelphia. Here’s the story on the decline and resurgence of the city’s most iconic and beloved commercial corridor.

In 1949, South Street was full of thriving businesses, including Tri-plex (shoes), L. Dubrow & Sons (furniture), and Klinghoffer (carpets).

Image courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Print and Picture Collection.

In the early 20th century, the eastern end of South Street was home to a thriving commercial district. From the Delaware River to 6th Street, garment workshops, warehouses and stores attracted hordes of “special occasion” shoppers. “It was the place everybody [went to plan] their weddings and bar mitzvahs,” recalls local architect Joel Spivak. “You’d get your caterers and your clothes there. All the bridal shops were there.”

Despite this success, the city of Philadelphia had other plans for South Street. In the 1930s, city planners envisioned a “ring road” around the central business district consisting of four expressways: the Delaware on the east, the Schuylkill on the west, Vine Street on the north and the Crosstown on the south. Since South Street already ran river-to-river, city planners deemed it an ideal place for the southern portion of their “crosstown” roadway.

All was quiet for about a decade. Then, in 1954, property owners on South and Bainbridge Streets — and those inbetween — were issued notices of eminent domain. The city was moving forward with the Crosstown’s plans, and these homes and businesses were in its way. Some people sold their buildings; others, in hopes of gaining more money when the

proposed expressway came, held onto theirs, eking out small rental incomes and never repairing their properties. Gradually, many of the buildings, vandalized or just worn out, started wearing “unfit for human habitation" signs on their doors and windows. Banks redlined the area, making it impossible for prospective buyers to obtain loans or mortgages.

Things began to change in 1965. Despite the impending threat of demolition, South Street hadn’t been condemned. Joel Spivak recalls, “[The architectural firm where I worked was] able to [obtain] building permits from the city [to renovate]” a vacant movie theater. Work was completed and 334 South Street reopened as Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA). People who worked at the playhouse moved nearby. Morgan Freeman, Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsch and Sally Kirkland all began their careers there. Under the flamboyant directorship of Andre Gregory (My Dinner With Andre), the TLA drew New York critics to Philadelphia. It also drew Philadelphians to South Street.

Around the same time, the Philadelphia College of Art opened a dormitory near 7th and Pine Streets. Their art students soon found their way to South Street – where apartments could be had cheaply and fixed to their simple needs.

In the next few years, many vacant buildings became occupied. Some became stores and others art studios. These South Street newcomers started to involve themselves in community life and businesses. Undeterred by the looming threat of the expressway, they began hosting large-scale events to draw visitors to South Street. Their first major event — the Head House Open Market — took place the same weekend as Woodstock in 1969.

Rick Snyderman, owner of "The Works" at 319 South Street, poses with a soft sculpture in 1977.

Rick Snyderman, [1977], Tinney, photographer. George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, PA.

By 1970, however, the Crosstown Expressway was closer to becoming a reality. Although individuals on South Street had been quite vocal in opposing the Crosstown, they weren’t getting much traction with City Hall. If they formed a group, and presented a united voice, City Hall might listen. That’s why the people on the east end of South Street began calling themselves the “South Street Renaissance.” Over time, 100 local residents — from 2nd to 8th and Lombard to Catharine Streets — joined the “Renaissance” movement.

Other neighborhoods located in the path of the Crosstown — west of 6th Street to the Schuylkill River — also wanted to preserve their communities. These groups — including the Renaissance — joined forces and created the Coalition of Neighbors. As one large contingent, the Coalition presented a driving, powerful force City Hall couldn’t ignore.

While protesting the Crosstown, the Renaissance continued to organize popular events attracting scores of visitors to South Street. Many turned into annual traditions. The South Street Parade, the South Street Walk (and Gallery Tour), the “Hippie House Tour,” and the Easter Promenade were just some of these crowd-pleasers. South Street’s popular live music concert series was even broadcast by radio to the entire Delaware Valley.

Renaissance members also worked on community improvement projects. First they opened the Crooked Mirror, a cooperative coffee house. A food cooperative soon followed, bringing fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products and fish and poultry to the area-at-large. A small empty lot at 3rd and South was turned into a pocket park. Vacant properties were repaired and repainted. The first new trees in living memory were planted – greening and shading South and 4th Streets.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Coalition of Neighbors, the Crosstown Expressway was defeated and removed from city plans on December 19, 1973. But the fight wasn’t over. Hundreds of buildings on the east side of Front Street had already been demolished to make way for the Delaware Expressway (I-95). And that expressway needed exit ramps. The city wanted to place those ramps on the west side of Front Street. That meant more homes and businesses would be condemned. After significant opposition from the community, the city eventually relented and agreed to install the ramps on Delaware Avenue.

With the highway battles finally over by 1974, the Renaissance directed its efforts toward community building. First on the docket: property acquisition. The small business owners who had set up on South Street over the past five years wanted to stay. By working with local banks, the Renaissance managed to get the redline removed, opening the path for 25 South

Streeters to purchase buildings they had been renting. It was official: the Renaissance was firmly rooted.

While working with the banks, the Renaissance made a strange discovery: the zoning map for South Street was designated as industrial. Since South Street wasn’t filled with warehouses or factories, this seemed out of place with the streetscape and the neighborhood. To maintain the character of South Street, the Renaissance and QVNA worked with the city to change the zoning map. Thanks to these efforts, South Street officially became a commercial mixed-use area preserving its first-floor storefronts and upper-floor residences.

By the mid-70s, South Street was booming. Scores of young families began moving into the area. While housing prices in Society Hill had soared, Queen Village was still surprisingly affordable. By this time, many Renaissance members also had children. To help foster the neighborhood as family-friendly, the Renaissance and QVNA developed a master plan for South Street. Soon an alternative public school, a community center and additional green spaces were on the docket.

Over the years, the South Street Renaissance continued to grow and thrive, and extend its influence beyond the streetscape. The Renaissance joined the Cultural Alliance. South Street artists began exhibiting their works in far-away places. And, many of the original players in the movement eventually relocated their business off the street. However, as many of those people will tell you, the South Street spirit remains today. Just visit Eyes Gallery, Copabanana, or the soon-to-be-reopened deVecchis Gallery or Bridget Foy’s and see it for yourself.