Improvements coming to Philadelphia's Market East corridor ahead of major events

Major enhancements are coming to a historic area of the City of Brotherly Love.

The City of Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Center City District (CCD), unveiled a series of short-term initiatives to revitalize Market Street East ahead of this summer’s monumental Semiquincentennial and World Cup celebration.

Officials said that these projects will feature retail pop-ups, collaborations with local artists, and improvements to the streetscape, all made possible by a $1.85 million grant from the city, along with additional support from Mural Arts Philadelphia.

“This summer of celebrations and events will be a catalyzing spark in the engine of Market East’s revival,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a news release. “We’re prepared to welcome 1.5 million visitors to Market East. We will greet them with a vibrant and welcoming Philadelphia experience that benefits guests and residents, alike, and paves the way for planning Market East’s enduring revival.”

NBC10’s Lauren Mayk sat down with CCD President and CEO Prema Katari Gupta and Director of Research and Special Projects Lauren Smith to discuss the highlights.

“I want people to see how vibrant and rich the City of Philadelphia is, but I also want this work to begin the durable change that we are anticipating happening on Market East,” said Gupta.

Just a few years ago, Market East was considered a potential site for a new Sixers arena. Those plans changed, and so did a landmark building across from City Hall.

“I think we all lost sleep when they closed Macy’s, but what an amazing outcome for that building, a really thoughtful developer who loves the building, turning it into housing, and we know the city needs more housing,” Gupta added.

Now, as the city plans for the future, the corridor is in the spotlight, it’s where visitors might stay, and the road they might take to get to the Old City or Reading Terminal Market.

And when it comes to the art installations, Smith said, “Our goal is just bold explorations of color, so we’re working with a lot of abstract artists and really just want to showcase again how vibrant the city is.”

Officials said more information about the pop-up businesses and the art installations will be released soon.  

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