$19M in Parkway renovations now officially underway

**therealdawk** · 06-07-2010, 11:14 PM

I saw the ground breaking on Action News and Gov Eddie mentioned that he wants to redo Dillworth next.

There will be new bike lanes and one fewer car lane, plus many new trees and landscaping. There's also going to be a new pavilion with a cafe. The Rodin Museum on the parkway is also getting spruced up.

$6M+ from each the city and the State of PA. $2M from The PMA and the rest from charities and private donors.

Philly's Ben Franklin Parkway Gets $19M Facelift

**eldondre** · 06-07-2010, 11:30 PM

will the narrow concrete bands be expanded? it feels dangerous to be stranded there

**boblee** · 06-08-2010, 12:23 AM

Why do they call it a "parkway", when it's just a freeway with trees. When I have to go to the main library I walk up Broad and west on Cherry to avoid the whole mess. Try walking down the "parkway" and entering the museum by the front steps. But it's typical Philly anti-pedestrian design, like the new anti-pedestrian traffic signs that count down seconds on pedestrians to keep them from crossing the street and possibly interferring with the flow of traffic.

**supersupper** · 06-08-2010, 12:28 AM

Curious.

Project - Sister Cities Plaza & Garden - Architizer - Empowering Architecture: architects, buildings, interior design, materials, jobs, competitions, design schools

**phillyaggie** · 06-08-2010, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by boblee

Why do they call it a "parkway", when it's just a freeway with trees. When I have to go to the main library I walk up Broad and west on Cherry to avoid the whole mess. Try walking down the "parkway" and entering the museum by the front steps. But it's typical Philly anti-pedestrian design, like the new anti-pedestrian traffic signs that count down seconds on pedestrians to keep them from crossing the street and possibly interferring with the flow of traffic.

you need to go live in a city out west, preferably Texas, before you talk about anti-pedestrian design.

actually, you might not come back to Philly alive, so nevermind.

**thoth** · 06-08-2010, 08:34 AM

Severaly YEARS of work to insert a bike lane and plant trees? Even factoring in the construction of the cafe pavilion or whatever, that seems like a long timeline and a buncha cash. I'm guessing this part of the plan doesn't even touch the Eakins Oval fiasco.

**desolate** · 06-08-2010, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by eldondre

will the narrow concrete bands be expanded? it feels dangerous to be stranded there

No. Nothing to improve traffic at all. No changes to the medians. No improvement for peds.

Just millions for a bike lane.

2 blocks for only 4 Million. A steal! Literally.

**phillycat** · 06-08-2010, 09:07 AM

Not exactly. According to Pew, the shifting of the outside lanes will allow for the widening of the meridian.

The money also includes quite a bit for the work on the Rodin, including upgrading the garden area as well as structural work to maintain the building.

Apparently they can't complete more major changes along the parkway until the Barnes is finished and they have the cap to 676 ( I think they said one of the areas will definitely be capped, but obviously this will take some time).

I agree it's piecemeal but something is better than nothing.

**desolate** · 06-08-2010, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by thoth

Severaly YEARS of work to insert a bike lane and plant trees? Even factoring in the construction of the cafe pavilion or whatever, that seems like a long timeline and a buncha cash. I'm guessing this part of the plan doesn't even touch the Eakins Oval fiasco.

They want it done by Thanksgiving. That makes it expensive.

It's all the stupid **** that does it.

Like forcing 40% minority on a project or speccing stone from Montana.

It's the little things I see that really piss me off that no one would understand.

**phillycat** · 06-08-2010, 09:14 AM

so is it a long timeline or being done by Thanksgiving?

it is the same amount of money that it was when it was announced two years ago, so I don't think they've changed the timeline to make it more expensive.

**Bleeper** · 06-08-2010, 09:18 AM

Im not going to knock $20 M of improvements but Gov Rendell needs to get a grip.

"The Grandest Blvd in the World" . Really.

The Grandest Blvd in the world doesnt showcase 2 little league fields, an ugly overgrown row of trees , the horrificly designed ParkTowne complex and a nightmarish automotive maze .

I would get rid of the little league fields and put that real estate to some practical use. Modern Condos/apts/hotel towers. Isnt Fairmount Park the largest urban park system in the USA? Play your baseball up in the park itself, not on The Parkway. Thats unbelievable. I ride by those baseball fields and just shake my head in bewilderment. Is this the best you can do?

I would put some pressure on Parktowne management to start phasing out those outdated ugly apts. They've had to make a fortune on those commie boxes over the decades. Time to reinvest. Down with Parktowne. Lets get Philadlephia into the 21st century.

**phillycat** · 06-08-2010, 09:20 AM

Actually, I think it is cool that there is a little league field...but I wish it was in better repair.

I think they should add dog runs and bocce fields, get some more life among the monuments. Nothing wrong with that.

**Bleeper** · 06-08-2010, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by phillycat

Actually, I think it is cool that there is a little league field...but I wish it was in better repair.

I think they should add dog runs and bocce fields, get some more life among the monuments. Nothing wrong with that.

I have to disagree with you here phillycat.

Little league fields belong in Horsham or Plymouth Whitemarsh. Not on the Parkway.

You have to have higher standards for "The Grandest Blvd in the World".

**cubanChris** · 06-08-2010, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Bleeper

Im not going to knock $20 M of improvements but Gov Rendell needs to get a grip.

"The Grandest Blvd in the World" . Really.

The Grandest Blvd in the world doesnt showcase 2 little league fields, an ugly overgrown row of trees , the horrificly designed ParkTowne complex and a nightmarish automotive maze .

I would get rid of the little league fields and put that real estate to some practical use. Modern Condos/apts/hotel towers. Isnt Fairmount Park the largest urban park system in the USA? Play your baseball up in the park itself, not on The Parkway. Thats unbelievable. I ride by those baseball fields and just shake my head in bewilderment. Is this the best you can do?

I would put some pressure on Parktowne management to start phasing out those outdated ugly apts. They've had to make a fortune on those commie boxes over the decades. Time to reinvest. Down with Parktowne. Lets get Philadlephia into the 21st century.

Gotta agree. Its very convenient to those families, and so I am not optimistic that the locals are going to let those fields be anything but fields when they should be high density, mixed-use type developments. I think everyone agrees, bringing more residents right onto the parkway itself will do a lot to help bring life to a stretch that should be lively.

That was a cool link for Sister Cities park supersupper, glad the work done a month ago was planned site prep work and not doom to a project that should happen. I seem to recall the site was supposed to get a similar guard system as Franklin Square to keep it from devolving into a prettier homeless encampment. Does anyone else remember this?

**ShoshTrvls** · 06-08-2010, 10:00 AM

I like the little league field as well. I think what the Parkway needs most is more activity, not less. It's a good long hike from Logan Square to the Museum, and not a lot going on in between. And one cafe at the end isn't going to change that. I'd like to see several small cafes (really, just drinks and maybe sandwiches) along the parkway, maybe a real sculpture garden along the walkways, and other enhancements that make you want to walk to the museum, instead of dreading it.

**OB2SP** · 06-08-2010, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by phillycat

Actually, I think it is cool that there is a little league field...but I wish it was in better repair.

I think they should add dog runs and bocce fields, get some more life among the monuments. Nothing wrong with that.

Originally Posted by Bleeper

I have to disagree with you here phillycat.

Little league fields belong in Horsham or Plymouth Whitemarsh. Not on the Parkway.

You have to have higher standards for "The Grandest Blvd in the World".

I think there could be some sort of compromise here. The problem with a ball field is that only the people playing baseball can use it. You can't have three firends kicking around a soccer ball or thowing a frisbee in the middle of a baseball game. I think it should be left as a park, but made to be a destination. Ho wmany baseball fields are there? Could it be cut down to one, with the rest of the area having benches, some open grass, mini-golf maybe?

This will saitisfy the vibrancy desire (to an extent) and maintain a nice place for the residents to gather and vistitors to enjoy.

**OB2SP** · 06-08-2010, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

Curious.

Project - Sister Cities Plaza & Garden - Architizer - Empowering Architecture: architects, buildings, interior design, materials, jobs, competitions, design schools

There was talk on this site that this project was either on hold or scrapped all together. I walked by there about 2 months ago and noticed the park was fenced off. It had a "Coming Soon" sign showing what was going to go there. As of 2 weeks ago, the fences were removed and I think the dug up area was re-sodded

**eldondre** · 06-08-2010, 10:10 AM

the cafe is supposed ot help pay for upkeep of the park, including keeping it from becoming a homeless bathing pool.
parktowne-these were recently bought so it's unlikely they're making hand over fist. they were planning on bringing street level retail but ifnancing for renovations fell though and the project, aFAIK, is on hold. I agree that these need to be reworked, and perhaps in exchange for zoning for greater density, something could be worked out. I'd peg this as a top priority.
van coln-I'm mixed on this. I'm not sure we should be as callous as bleeper since for years this was the most active space on the parkway; OTOH, we probably should expect more. is there a need for a site for an upscale field with seating for playoff games or do they play at the bank? maybe we can buy the riversharks and put em there. That said, I think there's an argument that says you could turn it into a mixed use site with offices and apartments and street fronting cafe's capitalizing on the parkway and proximity to the museum. in exchange for leasing the property, funds could be earmarked for improvements to area baseball diamonds. this was an expensive project and the city should be getting a decent return on it (like cough, the baseball stadium, cough)
according to the metro
2100-2200 blocks: outer lanes will be narrowed from two lanes to one, bike lanes and a parking lane added. new treesm curbs, brick edged sidewalks.
1600-1700 blocks: New granite curbs, sidewalks, benches, and trash receptacles.
Shakespeare Park (this is the homeless camp on the north side of the circle, who knew it had anything to do with shakespeare?): new plaza, paving, trees, shrubs, benches.
Sister Cities:
pavilion with cafe and "community space," childrens "discovery garden" with pond and a fountain.
Rodin museum: Additional trees, new garden paths, entryway restoration

disappointments: they're not widening the center islands at 20th and the parkway where I cross most often.

eakins oval not being addressed, could be a good area for some cafes.

**phillycat** · 06-08-2010, 10:26 AM

The pew release says they ARE widening the center islands, so there's some discrepancy there.

Shakespeare park is the area just in front of the family court building, there is a lovely Shakespeare statue there ("all the world's a stage..." a quote I find particularly funny when there is a bunch of junkies milling around sunbathing). It is a little unclear whether this upgrade is happening now, or is planned for "after the 676 cap," which would be who knows when.

Just fixing the sidewalks around 16 - 20th will be a massive improvement, they are seriously a joke for walking on. bringing down the inside lane to one car makes sense both from a traffic calming and a biking perspective, like Pine street, those streets are not really wide enough for two cars and leads to drag-racing like behavior from idiots.

**thoth** · 06-08-2010, 10:28 AM

You know in a lot of cities that followed this whole grand boulevard scheme, they let the gaps between monuments, commercial centers, cultural attractions, etc, get used by stall-based booksellers, artisans, merchants and so on. It doesn't really cost much (compared to these kind of improvements), cause you're just building the sheds lining the side walk. The city could lease them for a nominal fee to cover construction and park maintenance, and voila, you got activity.

Or if we were really thinking we would shut down the center lanes and let a market operate there. I'm not crazy about this plan so far.