The Love Park Welcome Center, the Philadelphia landmark, has been vacant for over a decade, but that could soon change by the spring, writes Tom MacDonald for WHYY.
The “flying saucer” closed in 2021 when LOVE Park underwent a complete renovation.
At the time, the post-renovation plan was for the structure to become a restaurant. However, that plan never got off the ground due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.
Subsequently, a request for proposals gathered very little interest.
The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department then issued a Request for Expression of Interest as it sought creative ideas to reuse the space.
“We received more than 50 different RFEIs during this process,” said Katie Burns Kays, director of business and event development.
She added that many of the ideas had a consistent theme focusing on light vending and public programming. To this end, Burns Kays said that could result in potentially a cafe, beer garden, or light bar that would also be open to the public for events.
According to Burns Kays, the goal is to identify the structure’s future in April and have it in place by May.
A meeting for interested bidders is set for Feb. 18. All bids must be in my March 18.
Read more about the potential future of LOVE Park’s “flying saucer” at WHYY.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in February 2026.
