Avenue of the Arts Just Revealed Plans for the $100 Million “Avenue of the Arts 2.0” Project Featuring 10 Blocks of Green Spaces
It looks like South Broad Street aka The Avenue of the Arts will be getting a facelift. Avenue of the Arts along with the city held a press conference to unveil plans for a $100 million project dubbed Avenue of the Arts 2.0.
This ambitious project looks to transform the South Broad Street corridor into a 10-block long park with art installations and live pop-up performances. This major overhaul is in anticipation of major upcoming events happening in Philly including the World Cup and the MLB All-Star Game. “Pending approval processes, the aim is to break ground on this first block in early 2025 and to complete it by spring 2026. This timeline is aggressive and aligns though with Philadelphia’s moment in the global spotlight. Were going to be hosting as you all know the FIFA World Cup Finals, the MLB All-Star Game, and of course America’s 250th celebration and more,” stated Avenue of the Arts Board Chair Dianne Semingson.
Stretching from City Hall down to Washington Avenue, Avenue of the Arts 2.0 will feature plenty of landscaping, green spaces including medians, as well as outdoor cafe style seating and of course plenty of art installations. The design firm Gensler as well as OJB Landscape Architecture were tapped for the project.
Aside from Avenue of the Arts 2.0 welcoming new visitors to the city, organizers of the project also look for it to help highlight the existing theaters along the avenue including the Wilma Theater, The Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Suzanne Roberts Theatre by hosting outdoor pop-up performances.
As for funding, Avenue of the Arts stated that they plan to raise the eye-brow raising $100 million needed for the project through both public and private fundraising via residents and local foundations. The ball has started rolling for the project with City Council President Kenyatta Johnson stating that the city would look to contribute $1 million to help fund the project.
