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Philly Pholly, Philadelphia, PA (2026)

04/09/2026

INDEPENDENCE MALL — SOLAR ROOF CAPS

5th and 6th Streets reimagined as a shady, linear promenades reminiscent of the Tuileries — a grand, walkable spine that finally gives Independence Mall the lushness and dignity it deserves.
Double rows of shade trees frame both streets, creating a continuous canopy that cools the air and softens the monumental scale of the Mall. Underfoot, Pennsylvania bluestone pavers set within crushed‑granite borders give the promenade a timeless, civic texture.

A Continuous Greenway to Penn’s Landing
Connecting the surrounding green spaces — from Franklin Square to the blocks east of Walnut and Chestnut Streets — this vision weaves together some of the most historic sites in the city into a single, walkable, richly landscaped greenway leading all the way to Penn’s Landing.

Along the route, landmarks such as Carpenters’ Hall, the Benjamin Rush Garden, the Robert Morris Statue, the Merchant Exchange Building, the Museum of the American Revolution, Revolution Place, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Philadelphia Service Port become integrated elements of a unified civic landscape rather than isolated destinations.

The result is a continuous, tree‑lined, museum‑quality promenade — a historic corridor that links parks, plazas, gardens, and institutions into one coherent experience, guiding visitors seamlessly from Independence Mall to the waterfront.

Wherever possible, water features animate the landscape — shallow rills, playful jets, and reflective basins that draw people in. Banks of cherry trees add seasonal drama, turning the Mall into a springtime destination.

The program is intentionally diverse:
• Playgrounds tucked into garden rooms
• Dog parks with shade, seating, and durable surfacing
• Public toilets integrated into elegant pavilions
• Lush gardens layered with perennials and native plantings
• Dog‑friendly drinking fountains
• Public art installations that anchor each block
• Green roofs with solar arrays atop new structures

A stronger residential presence surrounds the Mall, recognizing that this is not just a civic space — it’s a special place that should support daily life, not just tourism.

Government buildings have roof-top gardens and cafés topped with solar arrays.
Never take tourists for granted.
A beautiful, welcoming, richly programmed Independence Mall becomes both a civic front yard and a global calling card — a landscape that honors history while embracing the city’s future.

Pete Buttigieg
Parks Conservation Association
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Service
State Parks
State Parks and Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Foundation

04/09/2026

INDEPENDENCE MALL — SOLAR ROOF CAPS
5th and 6th Streets are reimagined as a shady, linear promenade reminiscent of the Tuileries — a grand, walkable spine that finally gives Independence Mall the lushness and dignity it deserves.

Double rows of shade trees frame both streets, creating a continuous canopy that cools the air and softens the monumental scale of the Mall. Underfoot, Pennsylvania bluestone pavers set within crushed‑granite borders give the promenade a timeless, civic texture.

Wherever possible, water features animate the landscape — shallow rills, playful jets, and reflective basins that draw people in. Banks of cherry trees add seasonal drama, turning the Mall into a springtime destination.

The program is intentionally diverse:
• Playgrounds tucked into garden rooms
• Dog parks with shade, seating, and durable surfacing
• Public toilets integrated into elegant pavilions
• Lush gardens layered with perennials and native plantings
• Dog‑friendly drinking fountains
• Public art installations that anchor each block
• Green roofs with solar arrays atop new structures

A stronger residential presence surrounds the Mall, recognizing that this is not just a civic space — it’s a special place that should support daily life, not just tourism.

Government buildings have roof-top gardens and cafés topped with solar arrays.

And above all: never take tourists for granted.
A beautiful, welcoming, richly programmed Independence Mall becomes both a civic front yard and a global calling card — a landscape that honors history while embracing the city’s future.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Parks Conservation Association
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Service
State Parks
State Parks and Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Foundation

04/09/2026

INDEPENDENCE MALL -FRANKLIN SQUARE -CAP 676 /VINE STREET GREENWAY — LUSH
5th and 6th Streets are reimagined as a shady, linear promenade reminiscent of the Tuileries — a grand, walkable spine that finally gives Independence Mall the lushness and dignity it deserves.

Double rows of shade trees frame both streets, creating a continuous canopy that cools the air and softens the monumental scale of the Mall. Underfoot, Pennsylvania bluestone pavers set within crushed‑granite borders give the promenade a timeless, civic texture.

Wherever possible, water features animate the landscape — shallow rills, playful jets, and reflective basins that draw people in. Banks of cherry trees add seasonal drama, turning the Mall into a springtime destination.

The program is intentionally diverse:
• Playgrounds tucked into garden rooms
• Dog parks with shade, seating, and durable surfacing
• Public toilets integrated into elegant pavilions
• Lush gardens layered with perennials and native plantings
• Dog‑friendly drinking fountains
• Public art installations that anchor each block
• Green roofs with solar arrays atop new structures

A stronger residential presence surrounds the Mall, recognizing that this is not just a civic space — it’s a special place that should support daily life, not just tourism.

And above all: never take tourists for granted.
A beautiful, welcoming, richly programmed Independence Mall becomes both a civic front yard and a global calling card — a landscape that honors history while embracing the city’s future.

04/09/2026

INDEPENDENCE MALL — LUSH
5th and 6th Streets are reimagined as a shady, linear promenade reminiscent of the Tuileries — a grand, walkable spine that finally gives Independence Mall the lushness and dignity it deserves.

Double rows of shade trees frame both streets, creating a continuous canopy that cools the air and softens the monumental scale of the Mall. Underfoot, Pennsylvania bluestone pavers set within crushed‑granite borders give the promenade a timeless, civic texture.

Wherever possible, water features animate the landscape — shallow rills, playful jets, and reflective basins that draw people in.

Banks of cherry trees add seasonal drama, turning the Mall into a springtime destination.

The program is intentionally diverse:
• Playgrounds tucked into garden rooms
• Dog parks with shade, seating, and durable surfacing
• Public toilets integrated into elegant pavilions
• Lush gardens layered with perennials and native plantings
• Dog‑friendly drinking fountains
• Public art installations that anchor each block
• Green roofs with solar arrays atop new structures

A stronger residential presence surrounds the Mall, recognizing that this is not just a civic space — it’s a special place that should support daily life, not just tourism.

And above all: never take tourists for granted.
A beautiful, welcoming, richly programmed Independence Mall becomes both a civic front yard and a global calling card — a landscape that honors history while embracing the city’s future.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg
National Parks Conservation Association
National Park Service
Pennsylvania State Parks
Pennsylvania State Parks and Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

04/09/2026

🌆 'SCHUYLKILL RIVER BOULEVARD'
>PLACEMAKING
-Renamed from Schuylkill Avenue to avoid confusion, as the name also applies to a roadway on the east side of the river.
-From Walnut Street to Arch Street, the corridor transitions onto ramps leading to I-76 at both ends.
-Reimagined as a verdant, tree-lined boulevard with generous landscaping and pedestrian-friendly design.
-A wide riverfront promenade on the east side.
-landscaped median
-Enhanced by a series of vivid festival canopies suspended above the roadway.
-The façade below the roadway is veiled by a growing green screen, softening the freeway’s presence and restoring visual continuity with the riverfront promenade. Interwoven within this verdant tapestry, a high-definition LED mesh can pulse with dynamic light—an urban veil that breathes, informs, and inspires.
-You're driving through a park setting or emerging from a train onto active public plazas.
🌿 SCHUYLKILL RIVER BOARDWALK
-stretches gracefully from University Avenue to the Fairmount Dam, seamlessly connecting to the MLK Trail. This landscaped riverside corridor offers a continuous, scenic experience for pedestrians and cyclists, threading through the heart of Philadelphia.
-Every bridge crossing becomes a gateway—inviting residents and visitors to walk, bike, or boat their way through the city. A series of ramps, stairs, and elevators ensures universal access and fluid movement across the waterfront.
-Boat-Friendly Access Designed with watercraft in mind, the boardwalk welcomes kayakers, rowers, and small boats. Launch points and docking areas make river access effortless and inviting.
-High-Speed Ferry Hub At 'PENNSYLVANIA STATION' (30th Street Station) a state-of-the-art ferry terminal offering direct, high-speed service to Cape May and Rehoboth Beach. With potential airport connections, this hub could redefine regional mobility and waterfront connectivity.
🌆 MARKET STREET GATEWAY PLAZA
A ceremonial entrance into CENTER CITY, reflecting the grandeur of the architecture of 'PENNSYLVANIA STATION' (the William H. Gray 30th Street Station) and the IRS BUILDING.
-All surrounding public spaces unified. DREXEL SQUARE, Station Apron etc.
-A bold identity for Philadelphia’s civic heart.
-A lush, processional approach framed by ornamental and shade trees, creating a dignified transition from the surrounding urban fabric into the core of CENTER CITY.
-Generously planted medians soften the corridor, enhance pedestrian safety, and offer seasonal beauty.
-Distinctive Pavements & Lighting: Custom paving patterns and historically inspired lighting fixtures define the corridor’s character and guide movement with grace.
-Triumphal Fountains: At key nodes, grandiose fountains act as civic beacons—celebrating arrival, anchoring views, and offering moments of reflection and delight.
-Elevate the aesthetic and experiential quality of Market Street but also reaffirm its role as Philadelphia’s ceremonial spine—welcoming residents and visitors alike with a sense of grandeur, greenery, and belonging.
🏙️ PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION CENTER
PENNSYLVANIA STATION formerly 'William H Gray 30th Street Station'
-transformed into a complete TRANSPORTATION CENTER.
A conceptual vision for the transformation of Pennsylvania Station—formerly known as the William H. Gray 30th Street Station—into a fully integrated Pennsylvania Transportation Center.
Key Components of the Proposal:
-Multimodal Hub: The existing station evolves into a comprehensive transportation center, seamlessly connecting regional rail (including Amtrak) with expanded transit options.
-A massive bus terminal just north of the station, discreetly positioned behind the riverfront apartment complex and linked via a skybridge.
-Suburban Bridge Cap Connection: The skybridge would connect to the newly capped Suburban Bridge, integrating pedestrian access and transit flow.
-BIKE parking
-Atrium Enhancement: The regional rail terminal would be topped with a dramatic pink glass atrium, serving as both a landmark and a light-filled civic space.
-Ferry Docks: High-speed ferry service to Cape May and Rehoboth would launch from newly constructed Pennsylvania Station Ferry Docks.
-Airport Integration: A potential airport connection could be explored beneath the Market Street Bridge, enhancing regional air mobility.
-eVTOL Landing Pads: Vertical takeoff and landing pads would be installed atop the new green roof cap, supporting future-forward urban air mobility.
-SOLAR
🚢 FERRY DOCKS initiative
-Development of a high-speed ferry service connecting Philadelphia to Cape May and Rehoboth.
-From newly constructed docks adjacent to Pennsylvania Station, offering a direct and scenic transit option.
-Placed along SCHUYLKILL RIVER BOARDWALK
-This initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity, activate the waterfront, and provide a compelling alternative to highway and rail travel.
✈️ Airport Integration Opportunity
We recommend evaluating the feasibility of an airport connection beneath the Market Street Bridge. This strategic multimodal link would strengthen regional air mobility, streamline access to Philadelphia International Airport, and reinforce the city’s commitment to integrated transportation infrastructure.
🌿 IRS BUILDING REDEVELOPMENT
A Landmark Reimagined: The IRS Building Transformed
-The iconic IRS Building is poised for a bold new chapter—reimagined as a dynamic event destination and urban oasis. Atop its historic structure, a lush, accessible green roof will crown the building, offering a unique venue for private events, receptions, and cultural gatherings. This elevated space will seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor event areas, creating a flexible environment that celebrates the skyline while supporting year-round programming.
-Whether hosting intimate soirées or large-scale celebrations, the rooftop will serve as a beacon of innovation and sustainability—symbolizing the building’s transformation from a federal stronghold to a vibrant civic asset.
-SOLAR
🌆 SCHUYLKILL BANKS DECK PROMENADE (lower right)
Rail cap -Riverfront promenade with shops, restaurants, outdoor seating, clubs and event spaces. Public artwalk, water features
Densely landscaped.
Capping the CSX rails providing a new tree-lined, landscaped river walk lined with restaurant/retail/entertainment venues. Pedestrian crosswalks, water features and events.
Boat-friendly boardwalks line both sides of the river.
SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL
🏙️ CHERRY STREET DOCK and MARINA
-Offers seasonal jet ski and kayak rentals, enhancing waterfront recreation and visitor engagement.
-Connected to the SCHUYLKILL RIVER TRAIL
🏙️ SUBURBAN BRIDGE PARK CAP
-Maximizes Center City’s footprint by capping the rail corridor with a lush, meandering landscaped deck.
-Establishes a direct pedestrian connection from the Pennsylvania Transportation Center to 20th Street.
-Integrates vertical access points to the SCHUYLKILL BANKS DECK (CSX CAP) and adjacent streets—20th through 23rd—along with a welcoming street-level entrance at 20th Street.
-Continuing west to 'SEPTA YARDS CAP'
🌆The CSX 'WEST PHILADELPHIA ELEVATED', a vital freight artery slicing through University City, with a lush UNDERLINE PARK PROMENADE pulses with life after dark. High-definition LED lighting traces the deck’s face from University Avenue to Spring Garden Street, transforming the industrial viaduct into a luminous ribbon that stitches together neighborhoods and sparks curiosity. This kinetic lighting element not only enhances nighttime visibility but also reimagines the structure as a civic landmark—part infrastructure, part art.
-serve as a catalyst for public realm improvements beneath and around the viaduct—think pop-up markets, murals, or pedestrian plazas.
-The scrolling lights can act as a visual guide and reinforce the corridor’s identity, especially if coordinated with neighborhood branding.
-Enhanced lighting often correlates with increased pedestrian comfort and reduced crime, especially in underpasses or transitional zones.
🏙️ AMTRAK's 30th STREET STATION DISTRICT PLAN (in red)
-envisions capping the rail yards with a vibrant mix of towers, green spaces, and pedestrian-friendly streets—transforming the area into a dynamic urban neighborhood.
-Vision for the Rail Yards
Capping the rail yards: The plan proposes building a platform over the existing tracks and Penn Coach Yard, creating new land for development without disrupting rail operations.
-Mixed-use towers: These would include residential, office, and retail spaces, contributing to a 24/7 neighborhood with economic vitality.
-Tree-lined streets and parks: Designed to prioritize walkability, the plan includes lush green corridors, plazas, and recreational areas that connect seamlessly with surrounding neighborhoods.
-Sustainable design: Emphasis on green infrastructure, stormwater management, and energy-efficient buildings.
🏙️ SCHUYLKILL YARDS proposal shown in red
-Refers to the striking East and West Towers, including a 34-story (in red) skyscraper near 30th Street Station. These towers mark a bold architectural statement and anchor the development’s mixed-use vision.
RACE STREET BRIDGE
-A part of the 30th STREET RAIL PROPOSAL
-It has been referenced in waterfront access plans and complete streets initiatives, especially in relation to improving pedestrian and bike connectivity between Center City and the riverfront.
-The Race Street Bridge is not a central feature of the main Rail Cap proposal at 30th Street Station, but it plays a supporting role in broader connectivity and urban design efforts tied to Philadelphia’s rail infrastructure and waterfront access.
4 B4 & After

03/24/2026

SEPTA + PATCO
Reorganizing and coordinating the SEPTA with PATCO should be a priority. Creating a METRO-WIDE system.
Create a direct connection between PATCO and the BSL Extension. From there, the PATCO line could continue north, which would immediately give the BSL Extension a meaningful purpose.

From Franklin Square, the PATCO line could continue south to Locust Street and merge with the BSL corridor at Broad Street, also allowing the BSL Extension to follow the PATCO right‑of‑way all the way down to the future Navy Yard station.

This would transform what are currently fragmented, under‑connected segments into a single, continuous spine linking Camden, Center City, South Philadelphia, and the Navy Yard.

There’s also a strong case for introducing a separate line that passes directly through Chinatown Station, strengthening north–south mobility in one of the city’s most active and culturally significant neighborhoods. And reopening Spring Garden Station feels increasingly essential, given the scale of development already underway — and the even larger wave that’s clearly coming. With the area now fully activated, restoring that station would close a major gap in the system and support the growth unfolding around it.

03/24/2026

SEPTA + PATCO
Creating a true metro‑wide transit network means adding new inline stations that make the city denser, more connected, and more accessible on both sides of the Delaware River. Introducing direct waterfront connections in both Philadelphia and Camden would finally bring these long‑underused areas into the heart of the regional transit system.

A new station at Front Street in Philadelphia and another at Front Street in Camden — each positioned at the ends of the Ben Franklin Bridge — would be transformative. These stations would finally link both waterfronts directly to the metro system, opening the door to high‑density, walkable, transit‑oriented neighborhoods along the river.

Additional inline stations at Newton Avenue and Kaighn Avenue would further strengthen the network. These locations are ideal for affordable, mixed‑use transit‑oriented development, creating new housing and commercial opportunities while supporting equitable growth.

Together, these additions would reshape the region’s transit landscape — knitting together the waterfronts, expanding access, and building the kind of dense, walkable communities that modern cities rely on.

03/20/2026

CAMDEN
– COOPER POINT – RUTGERS – WATERFRONT METRO STATION
Front Street • In‑Line PATCO Addition

A new PATCO Metro station rises along the Camden Waterfront — an in‑line addition built directly onto the structural sides of the bridge, transforming an overlooked stretch of Front Street into a powerful multimodal gateway for Camden, Rutgers, and the riverfront.

A station integrated into the bridge with a totally separate structure, suspended above Front Street and aligned seamlessly with the existing PATCO tracks.

Direct entrances from the waterfront, giving students, residents, and visitors a fast, intuitive connection to the riverfront parks, the aquarium, and the expanding Cooper Point district.

A glass‑lined platform offering sweeping views of the Delaware River, the Philadelphia skyline, and the evolving Camden waterfront.

A sculptural street‑level entry pavilion, acting as a landmark beacon and anchoring the station within the urban fabric.

Connections to Rutgers–Camden, the waterfront trail system, and nearby cultural destinations — turning the station into a hinge point between campus life and the riverfront.

Bike facilities, elevators, and vertical circulation that make the station fully accessible from both the street and the waterfront edge.

A sheltered public space beneath the station, transforming the under‑bridge zone into a linear plaza rather than a forgotten void.

This station wouldn’t just add a stop — it would redefine the Camden waterfront, stitching together university life, the riverfront, and regional transit into a single, coherent urban experience.

03/20/2026

WATERFRONT METRO STATION
Front Street • In‑Line PATCO Addition
A new PATCO Metro station rises along the Old City waterfront
— an in‑line addition built directly onto the structural sides of the bridge, turning an overlooked edge of Front Street into a true multimodal gateway.

A station suspended along the bridge structure, seamlessly integrated into the existing PATCO alignment.

Direct access from Front Street, creating a natural link between Old City, the waterfront, and the riverfront trail network.

Glass‑clad platforms climate-controlled offering dramatic views of the river and the skyline.

A sculpted entry pavilion at street level, acting as a lantern at night and a landmark during the day.

Connections to nearby piers, parks, and waterfront paths, making the station a hinge point between transit and public space.

Integrated bike facilities and elevators, ensuring full accessibility from the riverbank to the platform level.

A linear plaza beneath the station, transforming the under‑bridge space into a sheltered public realm rather than a leftover void.

This kind of station would do more than add a stop — it would stitch Old City directly to the waterfront, turning a forgotten edge into a vibrant, transit‑anchored district.

Philly Pholly

04/09/2026

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