#1- What is the South Street Headhouse District?
The South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) is a vibrant commercial corridor and home to over 400 unique businesses, with some of the best restaurants, retailers, and services in the region. The South Street area is one of the top tourist destinations in Philadelphia, with over one million visitors each year, and is home to the world-renowned Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and historic Fabric Row on 4th Street. South Street’s busy commercial corridor has a long history, from a mix of Jewish merchants in the ‘30s, an artists haven in the ‘60s, a counterculture destination in the ‘80s and ‘90s, to the thriving mix of retail stores, restaurants, tattoo shops, galleries and live music venues that today call the area home. South Street has something for everyone.
The South Street Headhouse District Office provides public services to businesses, residents, and property owners in the district. The SSHD oversees South Street from Front Street to 11th Street, and along numbered streets from Lombard to Bainbridge, and down 4th Street from Lombard to Christian Streets.
Our mission is the beautification, marketing, safety, cleanliness, and continued improvement of the area. We work diligently to make the South Street area an enjoyable area in which to live, work, and play.
The SSHD is committed to attracting new entrepreneurs and supporting the retention and growth of existing businesses. As a business service, we act as liaison with the municipality to assist new and existing businesses by overseeing all zoning issues within our district. The SSHD provides key programs to make sure that our streets and sidewalks are safe and clean, including graffiti removal services, in addition to street cleaning and trash removal. The District oversees local capital improvements, from lighting and sidewalk repair to tree planting, public art commissions and more.
#2- What programs does the SSHD do to help my business?
As a business improvement district, (BID) we act as liaison with the municipality to assist new and existing businesses by overseeing all zoning issues within our district to ensure a safe, enjoyable community.
Please visit the SSHD business programs page for details, or visit the financial opportunities page for partnering programs to help your business.
#3- I’m a property owner in the district. How are my fees to the District assessed?
from Phila City Ordinance 494, June 1993) Click here to for the full ordinance
District revenue is based on an assessment of all taxable properties within the boundaries of the SSHD. Individual assessments will be derived by multiplying the total estimated costs of the project by a ration of the total assessed value of the individual property for taxable purposes to the total assessed valuation for taxable purposes of all taxable properties in the SSHD. Updated data on ownership and assessed value of the properties will be received annually from the Philadelphia Board of Revisions of Taxes. If you have a specific question about billing for the assessment, you can email our staff at office@southstreet.com.
#4 What does the District do with the funds it collects?
The SSHD manages street cleaning & improper trash removal through a contracted cleaning company. We provide the facilities and operational expenses for the South Street Police Mini-station. Additionally we facilitates capital improvement projects in the District, such at the recent 4th Street lighting installation and the proposed Headhouse Plaza improvement.
We sponsor and organize seasonal events like the South Street Spring Festival, Fall Pumpkin Festival and Winter Wonderland, as well as Movies under the Stars, Fashion at the Shambles. We partner with groups like the Philadelphia Food Trust to bring Farmers’ Markets to the neighborhood, as well as act as liaison for outside promoters events like Green Fest and the Deschutes Brewery Beer Garden.
We introduce advertising and marketing campaigns to promote businesses. We administer grant programs for property improvements, and initiate public art projects, (such as transforming utility boxes with works of art) and performances and improvements financed by the Knights Art Program.
As a business improvement district, (BID) we act as liaison with the municipality, businesses and neighborhood groups within our district to ensure a safe, enjoyable community.
#5- Is my business/property in the District?
See the map to see if your address is within the boundaries of the District.
#6-How can I stay informed about what’s going on in the district?
You can sign up for our email list to receive newsletters here.
The board of directors hold a public meeting the second Wednesday of the month at the Pine Community Center.
#7- The info you have for my business is wrong or outdated, can you fix it?
Yes, please email us here and we will update it ASAP.
