South Street Beat

By Martha Morowitz

The combined events of COVID-19 and social unrest this past spring and summer created an atmosphere that encompassed robust civic engagement and entrepreneurial ingenuity as well as growing safety concerns and pointed frustration. On South Street, pandemic-restricted life, compounded by an uptick in illegal activities, put many on edge and created problems requiring strategic and coordinated action.

In the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD), just such a coordinated effort brought pressure to bear. Led by SSHD Executive Director Mike Harris, multiple city agencies, politicians, business owners, and civic organizations responded to the challenges with moxie, creativity, and sensitivity to the needs of our diverse community.

To address illegal tailgating, SSHD is restricting late-night parking Thursday through Sunday, with help from Street Department signage and Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) tow trucks to enforce the new regulations.

The police department continues to work hard to provide effective enforcement and a safe environment for residents and visitors of South Street. Districts 3 & 6 helped enforce weekend closures after SSHD was able to have some feeder blocks shut to disrupt dirtbikes and ATVs from continually and dangerously cruising South Street. But there have been unintended consequences; neighbors to our north have concerns of increased traffic routed through surrounding streets resulting from the closures.

As restaurants were permitted to extend dining into street parking spaces and “streeteries” were born, SSHD worked to support restaurants and cafés by closing various blocks of South Street, allowing streeteries to expand from curb to curb. Summer and fall evenings, the Headhouse Shambles had five restaurants sharing the covered space and, when closed to traffic, the cobblestone street. In anticipation of colder weather, a collaboration between the food delivery service DoorDash and the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association have been making grants available to install tents, coverings, and heaters to extend the season as far as possible.

Photos by Jenny Lynn. During the pandemic, “streeteries” blossomed as Banh Mi & Bottles (712-14 South Street), Twisted Tail (509 South Second Street), and the Shambles opened for fine dining.

In other ongoing efforts, Temple Tourism and Hospitality graduate students are working with SSHD to promote local history, diversity, and local artists. There are several recent installations of public art, both temporary and permanent, along South Street. The Fourth Fridays night along 4th Street returns with the addition of outdoor dining and live music.

Going into the holidays, we can look forward to the Christmas tree lighting and tree sales under the Shambles as well as a menorah lighting conducted by three Stay Informed

On October 21, QVNA convened a community meeting to provide residents information on community safety and an update from City Hall. Guest speakers included Capt. Brian Hartzell, 3rd District; Deputy Commissioner Trina Bodnik; and Councilman Mark Squilla. To view the video, visit http://bit.ly/QVNA_Oct-27/.

At an earlier meeting in September, Police 3rd District Lt. John Landis of the South Street Mini Station discussed actions being taken to control and enforce traffic flow and the prevention of overcrowding between 10th and Front streets. To hear what he had to say, visit https://bit.ly/ QVNA_Sep-16

neighboring synagogues. By year’s end, the Plaza improvement project should be complete, and as always, there is the indispensable weekend Farmers Market year-round under the Shambles. You can keep up with all the latest by following @ southstreetphilly on Instagram.

This has been an unprecedented time, and some strategic plans are still a work in progress, but the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community is always the highest priority for SSHD, as illustrated in June’s mission statement: “to build and support an equitable, vibrant, and all-inclusive commercial corridor . . . intended for people of all races, ages, nationalities, religions, and sexual orientations to feel safe and welcome.” ■

Photos by Jenny Lynn. 4th Friday found shopkeepers staging sidewalk sales: pictured, Juju Salon and Organics, Bus Stop Boutique, Walter Pine Floral Studio, Moon + Arrow and Fabriq Spa.