$100M 'Avenue of the Arts 2.0' plan to transform parts of Philadelphia's Broad Street unveiled
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia officials revealed details Tuesday about a plan to transform parts of Broad Street.
It's being called "Avenue of the Arts 2.0."
The home to ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, Academy of Music, Rock School, CAPA, Miller and Wilma and Suzanne Roberts Theaters, the Avenue of the Arts is second only to Broadway for cultural and arts offerings.
Avenue of the Arts Incorporated released a video showing some of the ideas for the transformation.
The plan aims to reimagine Philadelphia's signature street as a lush, green arts park.
"In the end it would become more of a linear park than a boulevard," said designer, Oliver Schaper.
WATCH: Renderings of plan to transform Broad Street
Organizers hope to bring the arts to the streetscape with pop-up performances, aerial sculptures, colorful banners, eye-level art installations and dramatic architectural lighting at night.
"It's time! It's time for a refresh. It's time to pay attention to this street. It's the centerpiece of the city," said Laura Burkhardt, director of Avenue Of the Arts Inc.
The project, with a $100 million fundraising goal, would take over the layover lanes. The outer lanes are already marked "no stopping anytime."
"We see that the layover lanes need attention. We want to program them beyond its current propose, which is a 'free for all,'" said Schaper
Pending approval processes, the goal is to complete the project by spring 2026, which would align with Philadelphia's moment in the global spotlight as the city prepares for FIFA, MLB All-Star Game and America's 250th celebration.
The plans and renderings have been in the works for three years, and of course, there are fundraising goals that need to be met and city approvals that need to be won. Council President Kenyatta Johnson's team announced the city will be contributing $1 million towards the goal.
Broad Street is a PennDOT thoroughfare and the agency says, "PennDOT will work closely with the Avenue of the Arts, the city and other partners to achieve its vision for the South Broad Street corridor. We have a meeting scheduled with the city and others on July 31 to discuss the planning in more detail."
