The story of the Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park is one of those rare, precious examples of Philly not sucking. The market started out as a totally unauthorized thing. But instead of shutting it down and arresting and/or fining people in the process, the city and the Parks department actually worked with the vendors to get the market officially authorized, and then actually made a permanent home for the market a commitment in the master plan.

They did know as soon as last summer that they were designating an office space for the market's vendor association, and that is going into the renovated "Welcome Center" which is the building off Pattinson to the east of the Swedish Museum. Maybe hearing that is why I was picturing that the market would have its home near there, instead of at the extreme southern edge of the park away from the major entrances and from transit.

ETA: I thought the market was going to stay an open-air market, but this story does refer to a "structure" being built, without making it clear what that's going to look like. Maybe just something like a large shelter rather than a fully enclosed building? There is mention of a $100,000 grant but the way the story is written makes it unclear whether that's just planning and design or whether construction costs are in that total.

Proximity to many of the SE Asian enclaves in the city, and also tradition, if I had to guess.

The park has lots of room for different things

Ain’t trying to be a negative Nancy. City gonna spend millions building it (which is great) but what if half the current vendors fold a few months in.