Thursday, February 4, 2021

CCRA Newsletter

 

Call Us Today:
215.546.6719
Weekly E-Newsletter - February 4, 2021
News And Updates
Masks (and Chins) Up, and Carry On

While now remains the winter of our discontent – cold, dark winter days and nights amidst a deadly pandemic – Make no mistake: The Ides are beginning to turn.

We now have vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. 27 million Americans have been vaccinated, 6 million fully vaccinated. Hospitalizations, deaths and total cases are all now declining in number. Vaccines are proven successful in preventing hospitalization and deaths, and the new Astra Zeneca vaccine would appear to prevent transmission itself.

Variants notwithstanding, is there now reason for optimism? Absolutely, says Ashish Jha, Dean of Public Health at Brown University.

So yes, it remains cold and dark, and yes, far too many lives and livelihoods have been lost. But help is not only on the way; help is here.

And, lest we forget: Spring (!) is but a little over six weeks away. Warm and sunny days ahead. Even better, pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in 10 days. (Did someone say, “Play Ball!”?)

Useful Links
Our Sponsors:
CCRA Public Meeting for 2300 Market Street Project

Lupert-Adler Properties is proposing to develop the three properties on the south side of Market from 23rd Street to the Aramark Building. A public hearing to review the project and seek input will be held via Zoom on February 22nd at 7 pm. The Zoom meeting can be accessed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82127029584
CCRA Virtual Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 6 pm

CCRA members are invited to sit in on our monthly board meeting on Tuesday. If you would like to attend, please notify Operations Manager Travis Oliver and he will send you the link to the meeting.
Wanted Now: Board Member Candidates
CCRA is looking to fill several Board seats for our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021. Board members generally serve a term of 3 years. The Board is a working Board. We are seeking CCRA members who have a passion for living in “CCRAville;” are interested in issues of quality of life and community service; and are committed to active Board participation. Successful candidates must serve on at least one committee and agree to fulfill the responsibilities set forth in our Board Pledge, which includes devoting at least four hours per month on CCRA activities, not including time spent attending, and preparing for, monthly Board meetings. Click for full Board Pledge and List of Committees.

Interested members are encouraged to forward a statement of interest that includes a summary of qualifications, as well as a resume or bio, by Friday, March 19 to: centercity@centercityresidents.org, with "Board Candidate" in the subject line. (We also welcome your suggestion of any individuals who reside in CCRAville who you believe would be assets to the Board. Be sure to include their email address and/or phone number.)
COVID-19 Updates
Community Info and Events

Things to do
for Black History Month
in Philadelphia

Broad Street Run Postponed Again
Originally scheduled for May of this year, the Broad Street Run has been postponed and is tentatively scheduled for this fall. Called the “largest 10-mile road race in the U.S.”, the 2020 Run was a virtual event last year, broadcast by NBC10 and Telemundo62 and featured runners participating from home.

Inhospitable: The Year 2020 in the Lodging Industry
We knew the numbers would be bad for the local hospitality industry in 2020; now we know how bad. Some of the lowlights:

·      $5.8 billion in losses
·      Occupancy at Center City hotels down 59.5% from record-breaking 2019
·      Average daily rate down 22.7% from 2019
·      Revenue per available room down 68.7% from 2019
·      Overall room revenue down 74.9% from 2019

But the worst is clearly over, vaccines are here, and the corner is beginning to be turned.
Tourism Economics projects Philadelphia will sell 600,000 more room nights in 2021 compared to 2020. Locals like to complain about “the tourists”. Not this year.
Ground-Breaking Next Month: $287M Schuylkill Yards Project
Ground is to be broken next month at the West Tower at Schuylkill Yards, a 570,000-square foot project at 3025 JFK Blvd. The Brandywine Realty Trust building will involve 326 apartments and 200,000 square feet of life sciences space along with 29,000 square feet of amenity space and 9,000 square feet of retail. Completion is set for October 2023.
CCRA Merchant Partner Discount/Promotion Program

Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount or promotion to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.

Photo Lounge, 1909 Chestnut St (267-322-6651)
Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St. (215-840-3577)
Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St (215-732-3663) (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St. (215-644-9714)
Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)
Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St, (267-519-2001)
Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor 
Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their virtual concerts.
Blue Sole Shoes, 1805 Chestnut St, (215-496-9244)
Branzino Italian BYOB, 261 S. 17th St, (215-790-0103)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses a separate card, see info here)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
East West Acupuncture, center city office closed, but you can use the 10% discount at her Narberth office (415-758-1057)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)
Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)
Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587
Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)
1900 Market St, Fl 8
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.6719

Center City Residents' Association | 1900 Market St, FL 8, Philadelphia, PA 19103

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