Working every day to enhance the vitality of Center City.

Center City District has helped transform downtown Philadelphia with a simple but ambitious mission to make the downtown clean, safe and attractive for people to work, live and enjoy.

Enjoy sunshine and socially distanced seating at CCD managed parks- Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Cret Park. Fountains have returned on low water settings. Check back for more updates soon.

You can help support the many initiatives of our Foundation: greening Center City, programming our parks with arts and cultural events for adults and children, supporting our homeless outreach teams and new public safety bike patrol.

Pedestrian activity in Center City has continued its gradual two-year upward trend, buoyed by a substantial ongoing increase in downtown residents as well as the return of visitors and a slower but notable return of office workers, according to this new report from CCD/CPDC.

Jobs are back, salaries are rising, Center City’s population continues growing, conventions, tourism and retail are all rebounding, and pedestrian vitality is almost fully restored in many portions of the downtown. Office vacancy, however, is rising, challenged by a partial return to office and reinforced by a wage tax that encourages suburban residents to remain remote.

For two decades, the fastest growing residential section of Philadelphia has been Greater Center City. In 2022, the downtown rebound was built on decades of success: At just 5.8% of the city’s land area, Greater Center City accounted for 48% of the city’s total supply of new housing units.

Does Center City Philadelphia have what it needs to recover? This CCD/CPDC report highlights Philadelphia’s signs of recovery and examines the serious challenges that must be addressed.

This report compares Philadelphia to five other urban areas in United States. It documents how Philadelphia lags in firms that sell services nationally and globally, but suggests that if we replicate the success achieved by others, we will grow more family-sustaining jobs and a prosperous network of small, local businesses.

This CCD, CPDC report examines business density and the disparities between the number of Black-owned and white-owned businesses in Philadelphia and compares them to four other East Coast cities.

This CCD, CPDC report suggests that Philadelphia should increase its commitment to quality of life investments and resume its prior commitments to tax reduction, in order to retain and attract residents and businesses and spur widespread and inclusive private-sector job growth.

After decades of job loss, Philadelphia has enjoyed nine straight years of job growth that accelerated in 2014. Despite the recent upturn however, the city has rebounded more slowly than most peer cities.

Beginning Tuesday, September 5 and continuing every Tuesday and Wednesday through October 11, CCD is celebrating workers who are back in the office — and encouraging others to join them — with a series of morning and afternoon events.

Office workers are invited to make the most of their workweek by gathering with friends and colleagues on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. from September 6 through October 11 for pop-up happy hours at various Center City office plazas.

Get out and explore Center City's unique shops, top-rated restaurants, outdoor beer gardens, world-class arts and cultural institutions and beautiful parks. Find discounts, happening and events throughout the city.

The Center City District manages several beautiful, well-maintained outdoor spaces that are perfect for your next special event, during the day or after-hours. Find out how we can help you host a memorable event in the heart of Philadelphia.

Consider a move to Center City Philadelphia, a vibrant 24-hour city, with great housing options in charming downtown neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and atmosphere. Local neighborhoods offer easy access to jobs, cultural venues, great shopping and day-to-day amenities by foot, bike, public transit or car.

CCD, Project Home and Philadelphia Police have partnered to create combined outreach teams that help people living on the streets connect with services and shelter.