Mohnton Centennial

Welcome to the Reading

Downtown Improvement District

Clean and Safe for You


The Reading DID was created to keep Reading's central business district clean and safe for downtown's employees, residents and visitors. Established by district property owners in July of 1995, the Reading DID provides enhanced cleaning and security to complement the downtown's wide range of services from medical, financial, and legal, to restaurant, retail, and others. The DID is represented on the street by the district's friendly, uniform community Service Personnel (CSP's) and Custodial Crew.


HISTORY

In July 1995 Reading joined the ranks of over 1,000 cities in the country to create a "downtown improvement district." The Reading DID (Downtown Improvement District) was approved by business and property owners to establish a managed environment providing security, cleaning, marketing, and other critical services in support of customer service and economic development. DID provides only those services that are beyond municipal service capabilities within the context of the central business district. The enhanced services ensure a more protective environment for existing private and public investment and more stable environment for future investment. DID ensures that prior municipal services are provided by the City have not been reduced and are closely monitored, and that DID funding will be used solely in the district.


ADDED SECURITY

Serving as additional security, the district's eight CSP's (Community Service Personnel ) are equipped with radio communication to the police and are trained to handle medical and other security concerns. Helpful customer service representatives, they are also equipped to answer questions regarding the locations and types of services available in the business district. Attired in highly visible, red uniforms, the CSP's are easily identified and interested in providing assistance of any kind.


ADDITIONAL CLEANING

Covering the entire district each day, the DID custodial crew provides enhanced cleaning services beyond those already supplied by municipal capabilities. DID custodial services include daily manual and mechanical cleaning as well as seasonal steam cleaning and graffiti removal. Complementing the work of the cleaning crew, the CSP foot patrols that help keep the downtown safe, also help to keep it clean. Each CSP regularly assists the cleaning crew with litter.


DINING DOWNTOWN

 Athletery at the YMCA
631 Washington, 378-4722

 Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels
551 Penn St, 478-0566

 The FireHouse
200 Penn St, 374-6222

 Beef 'N Weck
150 N. 6th St., 208-0757

Boulevard Caffe
2 N. 6th St

Butler's Pantry
348 Penn St, 373-7555

 By-Bar
220 Penn St, 371-9972

 Center City Subs
320 Penn St, 372-6330

 Ciao Pizza
527 Penn St, 375-8030

 Codi's Coffees
29 N. 6th St., 374-9511

 Crystal Palace Hot Weiner
56S. 6th St., 373-9174

 Domino's Pizza
310 Penn St, 376-8501

 Downtown Bistro
62 S. 6th St., 378-5337

 Dunkln' Donuts
545 Penn St, 374-5443

 Galley Restaurant
156 N. 6th St., 374-7207

 Goodies Luncheonette
51 N. 9th St., 371-9422

 Hong Chow Restaurant
31 N. 9th St., 372-1664

Iggy's Restaurant
400 Penn St, 376-4665

 Italian Garden Pizza Shop
851 Penn St, 374-2601

 Kurtz House Tavern
240 Penn St, 371-9973

 LaScala
23 N. 6th St, 37~7O40

 Maria's Bar
404 Penn St, 375-7922

 Marvel Ranch
361 Penn St, 373-7141

 McDonald's
502 Penn St, 372-5468

Morey's Coach House
501 Washington St, 373-5285

Mr. Charlie's Bar
5 N. 9th St, 376-6716

Panda Doll Restaurant
12 S. 5th St., 372-5650

 Pauline's Soups
501 Penn St, 375-6055

 Peanut Bar
332 Penn St, 376-8500

 Rajah Eatery
136 N. 6th St., 373-5717

 Reading Coffee Roasters
12 N. 6th St., 373-8260

 Sahara Restaurant
334 Penn St, 374-8500

 Sandi Salads
401 Penn St, 372-0166

 Square Deal Fruit & Deli
34 N. 6th St., 375-8815

 Strand Cafe
6 N. 6th St, 376-3130

 Strat's Restaurant
48 N. 6th St., 376-0466

 Studio Bistro
46 N. 6th St, 478-4880

 Subway Sandwich Shop
549 Penn St, 374-9290

 Twins Cafe
130 N. 5th St., 373-1630

 Ugly Oyster Draft Haus
21 S. 5th St, 373-6791

 Vito's Pizza
422 Penn St., 378-1959

 Widow Finney's Restaurant
30 S. 4th St., 378-1776