The South Street Bridge’s reopening will make the lives of many in the Philadelphia area easier. The addition of another route across the Schuylkill River will reduce commuters’ driving time and will bring traffic to businesses and attractions near the bridge’s ends.
The easier access to retail near the bridge is particularly important. While the bridge was in dire need of renovations, some businesses suffered financially because of its temporary closure.
The city helped to minimize the damages to area sites and stores by impressively finishing the construction ahead of schedule. But its work doesn’t stop just because the bridge is open again. The Philadelphia government needs to ensure that it markets the attractions near the bridge well — perhaps by coordinating special events in the area.
The businesses themselves have taken some initiative to attract customers. A number of stores offered discounts to celebrate the reopening. Still, stores would benefit from additional assistance from the city. Considering that businesses have suffered as of late, though, special sales and giveaways can’t last forever. And stores have uphill battles ahead of them because many Philadelphians have gotten used to taking other routes and frequenting other restaurants and retail spaces.
Now that the bridge has reopened, the city should do as much as possible to revitalize area stores. Don’t drop the ball.
