Even after a week, signs of Philly’s NFL draft linger [updated]

Though it’s been more than a week since the last NFL draft pick was chosen in Philadelphia, the event’s stage and other trappings have not been completely torn down.  Some residents are still upset with the pace of the process.

Kristen Suzda, a cyclist who lives near the Art Museum, said many bike paths have been blocked for weeks.

“You’d think with streets closed to vehicular traffic, the getting around with people power would be easy,” she said. “But roads have been closed down to both pedestrians and cyclists, and it’s also been frustrating since bike lanes have been used as staging grounds in a very haphazard sort of way.”

All roads are open to traffic with the exception of Spring Garden Street, according to a city spokeswoman. “Parking is now permitted on the south side of 2400 Pennsylvania with the exception of a few spots,” said Ajeenah Amir in an email. Those remaining spots should be cleared by Tuesday, she said.

Jason Kemner said some neighbors were totally against the event — and others understood its importance. But he said he’s surprised how much time it took to build and take down the staging for the event.

“I think that some people were surprised that for two and a half three days, that part of the city was shut down for three to four weeks,” he said.Torrential rains Friday hampered deconstruction of the staging, Amir said.

“But workers are continuing to work to make up for the lost time and get the Benjamin Franklin Parkway back to normal,” she said.

However, Spring Garden Street will be closed Tuesday for the Pocono Raceway Philadelphia Takeover Event, but will be fully open by Friday. 

“Spring Garden is the last piece because we have to clear Eakins Oval for load-in for this weekend’s Race for the Cure,” Amir said.