🚙 Thoughts on CHOP's parking plans? 🌺🏃‍♂️ Broad Street Run, South Street festival here this weekend

Happy Thursday and happy May, South Philly.

It’s a huge weekend for outdoor events across the neighborhood this weekend, so let’s hope that the rain is able to stay away.

The Broad Street Run takes over the entire city on Sunday morning, so be ready for road closures. And South Street Live, the big annual six-block-long festival, hits the street on Saturday.

In this week’s Scoop …

• A parking garage is the plan for a long-vacant lot in Grays Ferry. We give our take on this disappointing plan.

• Bomb Bomb BBQ will rise from the dead!

• Another jam-packed event calendar this weekend, with lots of outdoor programming.

• A setback for developers looking to turn a Wharton Street church into apartments.

🚙 CHOP-ping up the neighborhood?

The big story in the real estate world this past week was news that Childrens’ Hospital of Philadelphia is planning a giant six-story, 1,005-space parking garage along Grays Ferry Avenue.

The garage would go on the empty lot at 30th and Grays Ferry. It will support employee parking with shuttle service across the river to the hospital campus, allowing the families of patients to park closer to hospital facilities, according to a CHOP statement obtained by the Philly Business Journal.  

CHOP is in the process of building a new tower on the east side of the river, next to its current Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, near the corner of 27th and Bainbridge. They’re also planning a new tower for inpatient care on their West Philly campus, so there’s a ton of growth going on and a need to support that growth.

Unfortunately, this garage will do nothing positive for the Grays Ferry community.

Suburban employees of the hospital will drive in and park, adding pollution and dangerous car traffic and all of the unpleasantness that comes with that. They’ll get on a bus to the various hospital buildings, work, get back on the bus, get in their cars, and go home.

They won’t interact with Grays Ferry businesses. (Or maybe just the McDonald’s drive thru, I guess?) They will be in via the highway and out via the highway, and neighbors will have to deal with the nasty consequences.

5th Square, which advocates on issues impacting transportation and land use in the city, has a petition on their website against the project.

They cite research that says this type of development leads to negative incomes for children, whether that’s because they are directly put in harms way by extra traffic or their health is at risk due to the extra pollution. Hard to argue there — after all, a park is located directly across 30th Street from this future garage.

They also cite a city report from 2023 that found University City’s existing parking infrastructure is not at capacity, and claim that CHOP should be using this money to help support SEPTA instead of building a garage.

Hard to disagree there, too. SEPTA is in a troubled spot and its going to take at least some level of buy in from the city’s largest employers to help support it, instead of building infrastructure that removes people from public transit entirely.

CHOP doesn’t need approval from the zoning board to start construction, but they will face a Civic Design Review meeting on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the city building at 1515 Arch Street.

Participation is welcome via written comment to [email protected], virtually via Zoom, or in-person.

🍨 More scoop …

🐈 What kind of losers steal a cat? The 1500 block of South Hicks was the scene of a ridiculous crime this week when a pair of teenage boys stole a cat right off the street. Ring doorbell footage caught the boys as they took Artemis, owned by a family on a block, saying “we’ve got another one” before high-tailing it up to North Philly. CBS3 has the full, tragic story.

🤢 Hiding their dirty inspection: The Lincoln Chicken & Burger / Crown Fried Chicken restaurant at the corner of Broad and Ellsworth failed a city health inspection this week, and per a post on Facebook, they tried to cover over the CEASE OPERATIONS sign with a cardboard box on the window. The really fun part? This is the FOURTH failed inspection for this place since January 13 — including two failed inspections in a three day span earlier this week. Eat there at your own risk.

💣 Bomb Bomb to return: The owner of Palizzi Social Club, Joey Baldino, will revive Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill on Wolf Street, months after it closed following the retirement of its long-time owners. Baldino tells the Inquirer he won’t change much, if anything, about the menu.

🌳 Help name the new park: “South Philadelphia High School Park” is a bit of a mouthful, so suggestions are being taken for the revitalized park along Broad Street in front of the school. What are your name ideas? Submit here. 

💰 Raising funds for community garden: Ringo Coffee and Donuts, the excellent new shop at the corner of 20th and Federal in Point Breeze, is looking to beautify their block a bit more. A GoFundMe was started this week to help establish a community garden directly behind their shop, on the corner of 20th and Annin. They’re looking for $5,000 to get it off the ground.

🗓️ This week’s South Philly events calendar

We can’t possibly find all of the cool events in South Philly on our own. Please send your submissions each week to [email protected] or DM us on IG at @south.philly.scoop.

Thursday, May 1

Exile A GoGo 2025: Celebration of Art and Community 🎭
This event honors Lindsey Scannapieco of Bok, plus food and drink, raffles, and performances.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
🎟️ Event tickets are $200
📍 Theatre Exile, 1340 South 13th

Phillies vs. Washington Nationals ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Gigi Perez Headline Tour 🎶
The 25-year-old New Jersey native who got her start on TikTok performs in front of a sold out TLA.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ Resale market only
📍 TLA, 334 South

Friday, May 2

Bok Spring Open Studios 🧑‍🎨
Explore all nine floors of the Bok Building at their twice-a-year open studios event.
⏱️ 5 p.m. to. 9 p.m.
🎟️ $44.99
📍 Bok Building, 821 Dudley

Cinco De Mayo Fundraiser for Puentes de Salud 🇲🇽
This nonprofit supports health and wellness services in the Latino underserved community.
⏱️ 5 p.m. to. close
🎟️ Free entry
📍 Sidecar Bar, 22nd and Christian

UArts Community Night 🎨
Help keep the UArts community alive and support local artists.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to midnight
🎟️ No cover
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South

Countess Cabaret starring Luann de Lesseps 🎭
Cabaret from the Real Housewives of New York star.
⏱️ Doors at 7, show at 8
🎟️ $44.99
📍 Live Casino Event Center, 10th and Packer

Allison Russell: All Returners Tour 🎶
The Grammy-winning, Canadian-born folk artist comes to South Street.
⏱️ 7:30 p.m.
🎟️ $41.75
📍 TLA, 334 South

Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Saturday, May 3

Pilates Day at Movement Source 🧘
An open house with refreshments and free pilates!
⏱️ 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Movement Source, 1609 East Passyunk

Bardascino’s Park Sale 🏷️
It’s a yard sale, but in the park.
⏱️ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🎟️ $15 per spot if you’d like to sell
📍 Bardascino Park, 10th and Carpenter

RASSLECON 2025 / TWA: One and Done 🤼
A day full of wrestling nostalgia kicks off with RASSLECON, a convention featuring appearances by names such as Ric Flair. In the evening, the TriState Wrestling Association puts on its final event. These are ticketed separately.
⏱️ 12 p.m. / 6 p.m.
🎟️ $20 / Starts at $25
📍 2300 Arena, 2300 South Swanson

Point Breeze Collective Carb Crawl 🥮
Pop around to neighborhood shops for coffee, carbs, and connections.
⏱️ 10 a.m.
🎟️ Registration requested
📍 Starts at Ringo’s, 20th and Federal

South Street Live 2025 ☀️
The annual street festival on South Street is this weekend! This includes Brauhaus Schmitz’s annual Maifest and so many other great bits of programming. One of the biggest street festivals in the city each year.
⏱️ 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
📍 South Street between 2nd and 8th

Friends of FDR Seed Swap & Garden Social 🌱
Welcome the growing season and meet fellow gardeners.
⏱️ 12 p.m.
🎟️ No registration necessary
📍 FDR Park Community Gardens (Picnic Site 17)

Cocco’s Gelato Pop Up 🍦
Slinging gelato out of a cart on a spring afternoon.
⏱️ 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Rally Coffee, 7th and Bainbridge

Ancestors Mural Dedication 🖼️
The unveiling and dedication of three murals in the Italian Market, honoring community figures “whose stories helped shape the cultural heart of South Philly’s 9th Street Market.”
⏱️ 1 to 3 p.m.
📍 9th and Montrose

QVNA Block Party and Fundraiser 🏡
The Queen Village Neighbors Association partners with New Wave Cafe for this fundraising event, benefiting their Summer at Courtyard summer camp for kids.
⏱️ 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
📍 300 block of Catherine Street

Kalaya’s Southern Thai Kitchen Happy Hour 🍻
Drinks and food are included at this event and book talk featuring Nok Suntaranon, the chef behind Kalaya.
⏱️ 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
🎟️ $35 includes 1 drink, $45 includes two
📍 American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison

ASHM’s Spring Ting 🌸
The museum’s annual fundraiser features finner, auctions, drinks, and live music.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
🎟️ $125 for members, $150 for non-members
📍 American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison

Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks ⚾️
⏱️ 6:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Sunday, May 4

2025 Broad Street Run 🏃
America’s largest 10-mile race slices through the heart of South Philly and ends in the Navy Yard.
⏱️ 7 a.m. to roughly 1 p.m.
📍 All of Broad Street

Cinco De Mayo Fiesta 🇲🇽
A live DJ and food and drink specials.
⏱️ Brunch starts at 11, music at 3
🎟️ Free entry
📍La Llorona Cantina Mexicana, 16th and West Passyunk

Yoga4Philly Wellness Expo 🧘
10 local businesses pop up for a special market.
⏱️ 1 to 5 p.m.
🎟️ Free entry
📍 Palo Santo Wellness Boutique, 1707 East Passyunk

Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks ⚾️
⏱️ 2:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

VARIETOPIA with Paul F. Tompkins 🎭
Dubbed a “modern variety show” hosted by the acclaimed comic.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ Resale market only
📍 TLA, 334 South

Monday, May 5

ARCH ENEMY: North America Blood Dynasty 2025 Tour 🤘
Swedish death metal, with several supporting acts.
⏱️ 6:40 p.m.
🎟️ $56.50
📍 TLA, 334 South

Grand National Tour: Kendrick Lamar and SZA 🎤
Kendrick and SZA play their hits as part of their international tour.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ Starting at $150
📍 Lincoln Financial Field

Wednesday, May 7

Sip & Snip: Wine and Collage Night 🍷
Blurb
⏱️ 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
🎟️ $35, $30 for members
📍 Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South

🏗️ Setback for developers at this Wharton Street church

Developers have been working for years to turn the old 18th Street Methodist Episcopal Church / Friendship Baptist Church at 18th and Wharton, into a residential building.

But the church building has historic protection, and the developers removed all of the historic windows without approval way back in 2019. They then went forward with installing new vinyl windows earlier this year without approval or permits, leading to a stop work order.

Last week, the city’s Architectural Committee denied to approve those windows, voting 5-0 (with two absent) against.

Per the rules, replacement of any distinctive element of the building needs to “match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials.” It’s pretty clear the new windows aren’t even really trying to hit the mark there.

Before and after photos below.

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