Love Park's 'Saucer' could get a five-year restaurant deal at Thursday's Council session

The round glass building in Love Park, known as the Saucer, may finally get a long-term tenant. Bill 260799, from 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., would let the Department of Parks & Recreation sign a multiyear deal with Broad Street Love Park, LLC to design, build out and run a food and beverage business there. The bill is on the agenda for Council's Thursday, Oct. 29 session.

The building has sat mostly empty for years while the city tried and failed to find an operator. It's a city-owned landmark across from City Hall, and money from the concession is meant to go back into the park.

How we got here

• The Saucer opened in 1960 as a visitor center, PhillyVoice reported in January. A restaurant deal signed after a 2018 request for proposals fell apart, and the operator withdrew in 2022. A 2023 request drew no bids. The building was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2025.
• In 2025 the city widened its search to cafes, taprooms and other community-focused concepts (city announcement).
• This summer, Parks & Recreation picked Broad Street Brewing, a Bucks County brewery, working with Rival Bros. Coffee and High Street Hospitality Group, the Inquirer reported. A beer garden opened on the terrace in late June. The plan is a year-round cafe, restaurant and coffee bar inside the building with about 100 seats, expected around March 2027.
• The city has spent about $5.6 million restoring the building, according to the Inquirer.

Katie Burns Kays, who leads business development for Parks & Rec, told PhillyVoice in January that "our budget is very slim, so sometimes this concession funding is very helpful."

What the bill says

The term sheet attached to the bill as introduced (bill text) sets out:

• Operator: Broad Street Love Park, LLC.
• Start date: June 29, 2026, so the term would be counted from this summer, when the beer garden opened.
• Term: five years, with a city option to renew for five more.
• Early exit: the city can end the deal without cost or penalty any time after the fourth year.
• Money: the operator pays an annual concession fee "pursuant to the Agreement." The term sheet does not give an amount, and the Inquirer reported that financial terms were not disclosed. The city takes on no financial obligation.
• Build-out: the operator must bring in architects, engineers and contractors to create a permanent concept with full table and bar service.

What our records add

• Why it needs Council. Parks concessions normally run one year with up to four renewals, the Inquirer reported, and the department said it would ask Council for a longer agreement this fall. This bill is that request.
• The path so far. Introduced Oct. 1. Amended and approved by the Committee on Public Property and Public Works on Oct. 21. Our record shows the committee amended it, but the amended text was not among the documents we reviewed, so the terms above come from the bill as introduced. It got a first reading at the Oct. 22 session and is now on the second-reading calendar.
• Sponsor. Young is the only sponsor listed.

What's next

If Council passes the bill Thursday, it goes to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. The Inquirer reported that the beer garden was expected to run through late October and return during Christmas Village, with the indoor opening planned for early 2027. The vote will appear on the matter page. Our guide to Thursday's agenda has the other items.