Reading Terminal Market named to 2014 'Great Places in America' list

Philadelphia's famous downtown food market, Reading Terminal Market, was among 10 public spaces from across the country honored by a national planning group Wednesday morning.

It was named to the American Planning Association's 2014 "Great Places in America: Public Spaces" list. The APA cited the market's "vibrant seating area" and how it is "easily accessible to residents and tourists."

Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger and APA President-elect Carol Rhea joined market officials at a Wednesday press conference to announce the honor.

The planning group puts out a different "Great Places" list each year, rotating through categories that include Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods and Great Public Spaces.

Previous locations in Philadelphia that have been honored since the APA started putting out lists in 2007 are: the Ben Franklin Parkway, Broad Street, Chestnut Hill, Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill.

"World-renowned as an enclosed public market, Reading Terminal Market is conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia," the APA says on its website. "The market is situated in a complex of buildings formally known as the Reading Terminal Train Station, occupying the basement and ground floor of the building underneath the old train shed."