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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Food trucks at Drexel University permitted to park overnight after city council passes bill
The Brief Back in April, food trucks serving the Drexel University campus said Drexel University Public Safety officers told them enforcement of current parking laws will begin on Friday. The vendors said the overnight parking enforcement would have put them out of business. On Thursday, Philadelphia City Council passed a bill that will allow food trucks to remain parked on campus overnight. PHILADELPHIA - The operators of food trucks on the busy streets of the Drexel University campus will remain in place overnight under a bill just passed by Philadelphia City Council. What we know Around spring break, the food truck operators say they were told by the university they could no longer keep their trucks in place overnight. The food truck owners viewed the mandate to move as a death blow to their businesses dependent on their long-held spots for survival. What they're saying The KAMI food truck has served Korean meals to Drexel University students and staff for eight years. Parked on 33rd. Street just off the bustling Market Street, the truck stays in its spot overnight to hold its position and keep its customers. "This is an open spot. I would come in the morning, and somebody could be parked here. I could lose the business," said Eunhee Han, owner of KAMI. Kaylee Rodriguez is a Drexel senior working at KAMI to cover books and fees. "I was scared for my boss this is her livelihood, and it impacts the community, especially the international students," said Rodriguez. City Council member Jamier Gauthier, who represents the Drexel area, said general safety concerns about food trucks is an issue Drexel has raised before, but this time she sponsored a bill to keep the trucks parked overnight. She said, "If we can have food trucks which bring good, affordable food to campus and public safety and value food trucks as small businesses." Gauthier sees no opposition from the mayor. The bill passed with no opposition Thursday in City Council. A spokesperson for Drexel wrote the university looks forward to working with the city, adding, "so that vendors can continue to operate their businesses- -at various locations throughout the campus- -while also ensuring the safety of the community." Kaylee Rodriguez said, "honestly, it makes everyone feel seen. The city does care for these people to stay in business."
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Drexel University parking restrictions prompt food truck closures
The Brief Food trucks serving the Drexel University campus said overnight parking enforcement is going to put them out of business. Vendors tell FOX 29 Drexel University Public Safety officers told them enforcement of current parking laws will begin on Friday. At least one popular food truck is permanently closing as a result. PHILADELPHIA - Food truck vendors at Drexel University are bracing for overnight parking restrictions beginning April 4. It's leading to the permanent closure of a popular food truck "Pete's Little Lunch Box" after 17 years in business, as other vendors reconsider doing business on Drexel's campus. What they're saying "I'm working here seven years, it's no problem," said Eun Hee Han, owner of Kami Food Truck. "I'm very… I don't have an idea right now, but maybe first week we try." Kami serves authentic Korean food on 33rd Street near Market Street and employs eight part-timers and a manager who are all students at Drexel. "Parking gets taken up very fast. There's not really a standard place for food trucks to be parked so it's usually just street parking, and if there's no street parking available they can't sell down here. It's kind of forcing her out of business because she's not going to be able to park down here anymore," said manager Kaylee Rodriguez of Kami Food Truck. "A lot of the student body depend on her for food especially international students. So, a lot of Korean students from UPenn's campus and Drexel campus comes here." Niki Gianakaris, Drexel University Vice President of Strategic Communication, provided this statement to FOX 29: "Food trucks have long been a part of the fabric of University City with many located around Drexel University's campus at any given time. The University supports this vending tradition as a food option for its community. However, Drexel and the City of Philadelphia also must ensure the safety of pedestrians and patrons of food trucks. As part of the City's regular enforcement and Drexel's ongoing efforts to ensure pedestrian and traffic safety around campus, Drexel Police are reminding vendors of street vending rules established by the City. These rules require vendors to adhere to health and maintenance codes, restrict hours of operation to between 7 a.m. to midnight and address parking and other safety regulations, such as preventing vehicles from being left unattended overnight on a sidewalk or on public property. Drexel looks forward to working with vendors so that they can continue to operate their businesses while also ensuring the safety of the community." Philadelphia Democratic Councilmember Jamie Gauthier who represents University City said the city does have a law in place banning overnight parking, but explains it's selectively enforced. "Drexel is choosing to enforce the law in this way and I think they should listen to their food truck community as a vital part of our small business community and they should also listen to their students. We should have a city that is welcoming to food trucks because food trucks help enhance Philadelphia's economy and offerings," said Councilmember Gauthier. "I was somewhat dismayed that they were telling the student community this was because of something that I did. I would never be a part of any movement to push food trucks off of the campus and in fact I would hope that Drexel would reverse course on this but if they don't, I'm going to be exploring legislative options to make sure we continue to welcome food trucks to West Philadelphia." Drexel student Claire Toomey created an online petition to raise awareness and support for the food trucks. "You see all these food trucks and all these diverse food options and they're run by people living the American Dream. All these food trucks here are immigrant run, immigrant owned and it's just a shame these businesses are dealing with struggles," said Toomey. "To the food truck vendors we love you, you guys feed us everyday." FOX 29 reached out to the City's Department of Licenses and Inspections seeking information on the potential penalties of overnight parking enforcement. An L&I spokesperson responded via email and said "Drexel University is performing the enforcement, so they would be the appropriate contact." We reached out to Drexel University about potential penalties for vendors who don't comply with overnight parking restrictions, but did not get a response. The Source The information in this story is from Drexel University officials, food trucks and community members.
