Reading, Pa., is a vibrant hub fostering creativity, community engagement and connectivity. Here’s a glimpse of exciting things happening in Downtown Reading:
Thriving Arts Scene
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and Art Park
The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is a dynamic hub offering art classes and workshops for all ages, youth programs and camps with scholarships, and more than 50 independent films and events at the Albert & Eunice Boscov Theatre. The GoggleWorks Art Park will add public greenspace, shaded seating, public art, pedestrian and bike access, a café, performance space, and an outdoor market, furthering the center’s mission to foster creativity and cultural engagement. Phase 2 of the Art Park will include an amphitheater, mini golf course, and many more neighborhood-friendly activity spaces. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with free admission and parking, it’s accessible to all.
Reading’s Arts and Culture Highlights
- Santander Arena: Hosting major concerts, home to the Reading Royals and drawing visitors from across the region.
- Reading Public Museum: Offering diverse art, science and history exhibits along with educational programs.
- Reading Symphony Orchestra: Delivering world-class performances.
- Miller Center for the Arts: Featuring theater, dance, and music in an intimate setting.
- Public Art: Scattered throughout the city, from sculptures by artists like Harry Bertoia to murals on parking garages and vacant building windows.
Berks County Trust Food Court
Shuman Development Group’s restoration of the Berks County Trust Company building now houses a vibrant food court at 35 N. Sixth St. This $13 million project transformed the 98,000-square-foot structure into apartments, office space and diverse food vendors, including The Pulse Café and Sizzling Island.
Reading Skatepark
Located at the corner of South 6th and Canal Streets, the Reading Skatepark, spearheaded Reading Skatepark Association, Grindline Skateparks, the City of Reading, SSM, and Holistic, will be a premier destination for skateboarding enthusiasts. Designed with community input, this 22,000-square-foot park will feature skateable stairs, bowls and rails, with completion expected in 2024. It aims to enhance the area’s recreational offerings and foster an active community.
Passenger Rail Restoration
The restoration of passenger rail service in the Reading-Philadelphia segment of the Reading-Philadelphia-New York Corridor is underway. Coordinated at local, state, and federal levels, with the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) and Amtrak as the proposed operator, this project marks a major step forward for regional connectivity.
Reading, PA, is thriving with cultural, recreational and infrastructural developments, making it a dynamic place to live, work and thrive.
