City Cast Philly
⚾ Northeast Philly mall to be youth sports venue
April 13, 2026 · — Siani Colón
Happy Monday, Philly! It was great meeting everyone at the Philadelphia Activities Fair yesterday. The venue was jam-packed, a clear sign that Philadelphians want to be more involved in their communities but just need a place to start. Let us know if we met you yesterday!
Couldn't make it? Join Philly is sending out a guide to every club that participated in the fair. Complete the survey and enter a chance to win a prize from a local business!
What's CITY Talking About
Is Your Philly Neighborhood Walkable?
Philly has consistently been ranked one of the most walkable cities in the country. What makes a city truly “walkable,” though? And does Philly check off all those boxes? We discuss our thoughts on Philly’s walkability score and solutions that could make the city more pedestrian-friendly. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
Uber Uses Aggressive Lobbying Strategies To Oppose Potential Tax
Uber claims more than 6,000 letters have been sent to City Hall opposing the proposed $1-per-ride tax on rideshare services. This comes after the company sent an email to its customers and added a banner to its receipts detailing the potential price hike. [🔒 The Inquirer]
- Related: Mayor Parker intends to use the tax to fund the school district, if approved. [🎧City Cast Philly]
Franklin Mall No Longer on the Market
The real estate developer Dean Adler plans to convert the Northeast Philly shopping mall into a youth sports complex, complete with hotels, restaurants, and a Margaritaville water park. Adler also intends to include 250 on-site workforce housing units. [🔒 Philadelphia Business Journal]
Art Museum Fountains To Remain Off
The city shut down rumors that the fountains along the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art would be reactivated this summer. The fountains were drained decades ago due to maintenance issues and use as unofficial swimming pools. [Axios]
I-95 CAP Project Prompts Temporary Closures
All lanes on I-95 South between Exit 22 and Exit 20 are closed until Friday between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for utility work. The capping project will create a new park and pedestrian bridge to connect Penn’s Landing to Center City over the highway. [Billy Penn]
What To Do
Monday, April 13
- 🎞️ Jazz Appreciation Month Film Screening at Two Locals Brewing (University City)
- 🎤 Bearded Ladies Cabaret at Reading Terminal Market (Center City)
- 🧑🍳 Cooking with Seasonal Foods Workshop at Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library (West Philly)
- 🛍️ Monday Night Market at Star|Bolt (Fishtown)
- 🤰 Summit for Maternal Health Justice at Temple University (North Philly)
- 🎻 Chamber Music Concert at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Center City)
- 🧘 Meditation Monday at One Art Community Center (Cathedral Park)
Tuesday, April 14
- 😂 Put It Down Comedy Show at Johnny Brenda’s (Fishtown)
- 🎲 Scrabble 101 at the Pen & Pencil Club (Rittenhouse Square)
- 📖 Rebel Readers Society at Harriet’s Bookshop (Fishtown)
- 🧺 Picnic in the Park at Independence Mall (Old City)
- 🌱 Seed Starting Make & Take at STUMP (Bella Vista)
🎮 Are you a gamer? To celebrate this summer’s semiquincentennial and the end of Philly Tech Week on May 8, Philadelphians will have a chance to play the world’s largest video game on one of the city’s skyscrapers. Enter for a chance to win an opportunity to play.
Thank you, Haley B., for becoming a City Cast Philly Neighbor! When you join our membership program, you get access to exclusive perks, including a new bonus segment in our Friday News Roundups!
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