A Promising Week for Philadelphia Planning

Last night's meeting at the Festival Pier revealed details of the Central Delaware Master Plan. Accessibility, building development, and a visit from Mayor Nutter all gave hope for a riverfront gathering space that would appeal to Philadelphia's burgeoning identity as a green city.

Yesterday also saw ground breaking on a project that will transform the Ben Franklin Parkway.  Streetscaping is under way with an addition of greenery and lanes that will be shifted along the Parkway for a more organized boulevard. Plans for the Rodin Museum courtyard include restoration and landscaping.  Sister Cities Park will receive an entirely new plaza.  According to the City of Philadelphia blog:

“Work will soon be underway, from JFK Plaza to Eakins Oval, to remake the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as a great urban thoroughfare worthy of the cultural treasures that sit along it,” said Donald Kimelman, managing director of Pew’s Philadelphia Program. “The exciting designs for the Rodin Museum and Sister Cities Park, as well as the parkway streetscape itself, are a testament to the creativity, hard work and cooperation of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Center City District, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the state and city governments. Those of us in the philanthropic community applaud their efforts and eagerly await a transformed parkway.”

Ready for more good city planning news? Temple's Rail Station will also receive some fine-tuning with a mixed-use development set for 9th Street between Berks and Norris Street. It'll include 164 apartments and retail space, which we know is needed in North Philadelphia and the Temple University area.  How's that for awesome?

Alright, Tuesday: make things happen.