🚊 Passenger trains on Delaware Avenue? 🦅 South Philly getting Super Bowl ready

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Let’s get on with it … (and Go Birds!)

🚊 Passenger trains on Delaware Avenue?

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is currently asking for feedback on a potential passenger rail line along the already-existing train tracks down the waterfront on Delaware Avenue / Columbus Boulevard.

In the survey, they say that an initial service for the train would start at the Ben Franklin Bridge — basically, at Race Street Pier. This makes sense, since that’s where the existing train tracks begin.

It also says that it would terminate around Reed Street, despite the tracks currently running all the way down to the port, near Oregon Avenue.

Here’s what the DRWC website says in more detail:

Reading that got us curious on this Pop-Up Metro organization, and we wanted to dig into more of what they’re doing out in “the suburbs of Pittsburgh” — really, it’s in the middle of nowhere Central Pennsylvania.

What we found is pretty intriguing, though.

Pop-Up Metro says that they offer what’s effectively a “turn key kit” for unused rail lines, using battery-powered trains to quickly and affordably get actual trains running.

Listen — anything that cuts red tape and gets things moving in a speedy fashion sounds great to us. It doesn’t seem like this group has been able to get a real project off the ground, though, as what exists in Central PA is really just a prototype and not a useful passenger railroad.

There’s apparently a project in the works out in Iowa City, but details are scant.

We’d love to see this train line in any form and sincerely hope it happens — especially if a test can be feasibly spun-up in months, as Pop-Up Metro claims.

In a perfect world? A permanent train line along this stretch would be awesome — one that stretches down the tracks to at least the Columbus Crossing shopping plaza with the IKEA and all, ideally down past the port and around on Pattison Avenue, to FDR Park and the Stadiums.

And hell, why not stretch it north to Fishtown, connecting to the El, too? Now we’re talking. I’d ride the heck out of that.

You can take the survey here. What are your thoughts about the plan? Email us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram and we’ll share the best responses in next week’s newsletter.

🍨 More scoop …

🦅 Walt Whitman Bridge gets in the Super Bowl spirit. The Delaware River Port Authority sent around this unraveling of a giant LET’S HUNT banner atop the toll booth on the Philly side of the bridge.

🍲 Center City Restaurant Week continues through Saturday night, and while most of the restaurants are (obviously) in Center City, a few do trickle onto our side of South Street.

Bahn Mi and Bottles, Bridget Foys, La Nonna, Rex at The Royal, and La Serra, plus the Moshulu and Bistro Romano, are all on the list of participants.

🥙 Closer to home, East Passyunk Restaurant Week begins February 24!

🦅 #BirdCall at cheesesteak corner: Visit Philly has been setting up this little phone booth — dubbed #BirdCall — all over the city, asking fans to leave a message for the Here it is outside of Pat’s:

🏗️ A “mind-boggling waste”: Renderings and details were shared this week for a new proposal for the ugly old factory and storage lot on the south side of Washington Avenue, between 24th and 25th Streets.

OCF Realty says on their blog that the project, which proposes a low-rise supermarket, surface parking, and 30 apartments, is “an unfathomable underuse of this property.” While OCF certainly has a vested interest in bigger builds along Washington, we’d have to agree with this assessment - a surface parking lot on a major commercial street is extremely disappointing, and a lot more housing could definitely fit on this plot. [OCF]

🗓️ 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, January 30

Thirsty Walls: An Artist Meet-Up 🎨
Artists are welcomed to Tattooed Mom, the venerable South Street bar, to “add to the beautiful chaos” on the walls and meet other local artists.
⏱️ 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
🎟️ Free!
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street

The Boogie Down: Live Music and Burlesque 🪩
Dubbing themselves “Philly’s only all-live music burlesque revue,” you can expect soulful funk music from New Pony Funk and a live burlesque prformance.
⏱️ Doors at 8 p.m., show begins at 8:30 p.m.
🎟️ $20 online, $25 at the door, via Eventbrite
📍 Rosy’s Taco Bar East, 6th and Bainbridge

Flyers vs. New York Islanders 🏒
⏱️ 7:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Friday, January 31

UArts Photo Show 📸
We’re back to TMoms for this event supporting the UArts community, which could obviously use our help these days. More details here.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to midnight
🎟️ Free, but they ask for RSVPs on Facebook
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street

Queen Village Neighbors Association Winter Party 🎊
Meet up with neighbors and enjoy drinks and food, all supporting the QVNA’s annual activities. A $30 childcare ticket is also available.
⏱️ 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
🎟️ $40 includes unlimited food and drink, via Eventbrite
📍 Gloria Dei Old Swedes Episcopal Church, 916 S Swanson Street

Sixers vs. Denver Nuggets 🏀
⏱️ 7:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Ray Gelato and the City Rhythm Orchestra 🎷
Enjoy a night of jazz and dancing on East Passyunk Avenue.
⏱️ Show starts at 8 p.m.
🎟️ $21.40 via TicketLeap
📍 Society Hill Dance Academy, 1919 E Passyunk Avenue

Melt You Down at the Dolphin with Zillas on Acid and keekee 🪩
“A night of acid disco house and techno.”
⏱️ 9 p.m to 2 a.m.
🎟️ $10, via eTix
📍 The Dolphin Tavern, Broad and Tasker

Herbert Holler’s Freedom Party 🕺
Classic dance party hits, leans hip hop and R&B. Named “Best Dance Party” by the Village Voice. There’s a VIP option available and this is an age 30-plus event.
⏱️ 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
🎟️ $10 to $20, via Eventbrite
📍 Moshulu, 401 S Columbus Boulevard

Saturday, February 1

The Wondrous World of Opera 🎶
This kid-focused event is a great intro to opera for your little ones.
⏱️ 10 a.m.
🎟️ $15, via Eventbrite
📍 Theatre Exile, 1340 South 13th Street

2025 Philadelphia Polar Plunge 🥶
Brave the cold and support the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.
⏱️ 12 p.m.
🎟️ $75, either via fundraising or pay up front
📍 Citizens Bank Park

NCAA Men’s Basketball: Villanova vs. Creighton 🏀
⏱️ 1 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Cage Fighting Fury Championships 139 🥊
This MMA promotion returns to the legendary fight venue, 2300 Arena. More details and tickets here.
⏱️ Doors at 5 p.m., first fight at 6, main card at 8:30
🎟️ Prices start at $65
📍 2300 Arena, 2300 S Swanson Street

NLL Lacrosse: Wings vs. Rochester 🥍
⏱️ 8 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Inspired Dance Party 🎤
A 21-and-over night of Swiftie magic.
⏱️ 9 p.m., doors at 8
🎟️ $23-28, via Live Nation 
📍 TLA, 334 South Street

Lean Back: 2000’s Hip Hop Night 🪩
Exactly what it sounds like - “the biggest hits and club classics from the 2000s.”
⏱️ 9 p.m to 2 a.m.
🎟️ $5, via EventBrite
📍 The Dolphin Tavern, Broad and Tasker

Sunday, February 2

Eagles Send Off Party 🦅
Send the Eagles to Super Bowl LIX in style, featuring performances from the cheerleaders, drumline, and DJ Diamond Kuts. Players and coaches will address the crowd before the team heads to the airport. Proceeds benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation.
⏱️ 9 a.m.
🎟️ $10, via philadelphiaeagles.com
📍 Lincoln Financial Field

Sixers vs. Boston Celtics 🏀
⏱️ 6 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Tuesday, February 4

Sixers vs. Dallas Mavericks 🏀
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Wednesday, February 5

Galentines Day Aboard the Moshulu 💖
Shopping, cocktails and raffle prizes all in support of the Eagles Autism Foundation.
⏱️ 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
🎟️ $30, via EventBrite
📍 Moshulu, 401 S Columbus Boulevard

Kerry King 🤘
The Slayer guitarist brings his solo project to Philly as part of his latest tour.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ $60, via Live Nation
📍 TLA, 334 South Street

Sixers vs. Miami Heat 🏀
⏱️ 7:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Openings and closings

If you’re opening a new business and would like to be included in this part of the newsletter, shoot us a quick note at [email protected].

🥞 New life for On Point Bistro space: There’s been a void on Point Breeze Avenue since On Point closed in the middle of last year. Well, there’s new activity in the former On Point space at the intersection with Federal Street, with a sign going up last week for “Hannah K’s Cafe” on the outside of the building. Great news for that corner, with Ringo Coffee and Donuts also coming soon across the street in the former OCF Coffee space.

🍸 Two Robbers coming to 11th Street: The Philly-based vodka soda spirits brand already has a bar and restaurant location in Fishtown, and now they’re expanding south. Two Robbers Lodge will come to the space at 11th and Fitzwater that formerly housed Hawthorne’s. [@tworobberslodge]

Real estate listing of the week

Each week, South Philly Scoop will bring you an interesting or notable real estate listing from around the neighborhood.

Everybody knows this property — the former Del’s II Steaks, at Front and Tasker. It’s basically a time capsule, and it’s on the market for $685,000. It’s been sitting vacant for years — and with its listing on LoopNet, we can see photos of the completely-gutted interior.

A few samples:

From the listing:

Property records show this building last changed hands in 2018, and aside from some of the interior demo you see inside, it doesn’t seem like they did anything with it.

What do you think? A good opportunity for the right investor? Or does this building look like too much of a money pit?

This week’s old school photo

A weekly South Philly Scoop feature - an old school photo from somewhere in South Philly, and a bit of the history and background behind it.

In honor of the NFC champion Eagles, here’s a weird one — a look from Darien Street and Pattison Avenue, facing toward the south west.

Directly behind that building and to the left would be where Lincoln Financial Field stands today, and across the street out of view on the right side of this image would be where Citizens Bank Park stands today.

Safe to say the area is a bit better utilized these days.

This photo is from the Public Works department in March of 1955, although we’re not quite sure what the building was used for. There was an old city dump in this area, around 10th and Pattison, but we’re not sure if this a related building.

The only stadium standing in the area at that time was Philadelphia Municipal Stadium (later known as JFK Stadium), about a block away — where the Wells Fargo Center is today.

The Eagles played at Municipal Stadium from 1936 through 1939, and again during the 1941 season. They won their first NFL championship in 1948, when they played in North Philly at the new Shibe Park.

Go Birds!

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