Rittenhouse to be closed to cars, open to pedestrians every Sunday in September

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Streets are temporarily closing in Rittenhouse on select days next month so people can safely explore Center City on foot.

Seven blocks will be closed to traffic on Sundays in September, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., for what the city calls Open Streets: West Walnut . During the program, the city will close 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut streets, and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th streets. SEPTA’s 9, 12, 21 and 42 bus routes will detour around the closures and reconnect to Walnut Street.

“There are moments when it is nice to just let the streets be streets, give them back to the pedestrians and just let them flow how they want to flow,” said Giavana Suraci, senior manager of retail marketing and events for the Center City District .

Suraci says Philadelphia’s walkability is often overlooked. Closing the streets of Rittenhouse Square to cars, she says, will create a safe environment for pedestrians to explore the area and socialize with friends and neighbors.

“Not only the fantastic selection of retail and restaurants we have to offer in this neighborhood, but also just being around people,” she said. “Connecting, having interpersonal interactions with each other.”

Businesses participating in Open Streets will have the opportunity to extend onto sidewalks, while pedestrians will be able to walk freely in the streets, without the presence of cars. “We are a city, so they are a necessary evil at times,” said Suraci, who expects the program to increase the volume of pedestrians on Center City streets by at least 10% to 15%.

As for whether the program will return after September, Suraci says it is a pilot and that Center City District officials will pay attention to how well it does.