Philadelphia is leading most other large cities in bringing people back to Center City post pandemic creating optimism for the future. Let’s explore why:
- Based on a new report from the Center City District, when it comes to bringing office workers and visitors back downtown, the City has recovered 87% of pedestrian traffic as compared with 2019.
- The 13% who are staying home pose challenges that need to be addressed when it comes to lost revenue from the city wage tax, stress on the transit system, and overall revenue loss from people spending time and money in the City. These behaviors are preventing the City from a healthier recovery post COVID.
- The key to Center City’s success is the residential growth that Philadelphia has experienced over the last few decades. Thus, an overwhelming amount of people who reside in the City work in the City…another plus. The expensive condo market might be soft, but the rest of Center City’s real estate market is thriving indicating continuous population growth.
- Center City is “remarkably safe,” per the Brookings Institution’s research. This message needs to resonate more loudly to arts patrons and the public alike when considering taking advantage of all that Philadelphia has to offer from a healthy job market to the arts.
