Business help for papal visit is on the way
Listen
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter discuses plans for Pope Francis' scheduled visit to the city. (AP photo/Matt Rourke)
The late-September visit of Pope Francis has a lot of Philadelphia businesses worried about how — and if — they’ll be able to operate that weekend amid traffic restrictions.
Mayor Michael Nutter, who said he’s aware of those worries, said the city will try to help businesses stay open with a hotline debuting Monday.
“The papal visit resource center sponsored by the city’s commerce department will be available on the city’s website. There will be information, maps and a Q-and-A document that attempts to answer many of the questions local business owners have been asking,” Nutter said.
Still, just as in a weather emergency, Nutter advised business owners to prepare for several days without being about to get supplies.
“Try if you can to get your final deliveries on Friday so that you are well stocked for the weekend and Monday,” Nutter suggested. “We are also working on a plan for limited deliveries to occur overnight on Saturday into the early hours of Sunday morning.”
The mayor added those deliveries might not be up to the door.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Part of the series
Are taxpayers on the hook for higher pope costs? The city isn’t saying
Philadelphia’s budget director says the city spent roughly $17 million on welcoming Pope Francis to town, about $5 million more tha ...
9 years ago
Five things Philly officials learned from Pope Francis’ visit
It’s been more than a month since Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia, when talk of traffic boxes and fences ruled the local ...
9 years ago
ListenUS bishop warns of ‘anxiety’ at pope’s family summit
The American archbishop who welcomed Pope Francis to the final rally of his U.S. tour has warned that Francis’ big family summit of ...
9 years ago