Metro Philadelphia<\/p>\n
Drivers heading into Philadelphia<\/a> may soon notice a brighter welcome.<\/p>\n From murals to gardens, city leaders are giving some of Philadelphia\u2019s most traveled corridors a makeover. Officials unveiled a sweeping highway beautification initiative this week designed to transform major entryways into the city ahead of the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary<\/a> celebrations.<\/p>\n Mayor Cherelle Parker joined the city\u2019s Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Mural Arts Philadelphia to debut a new mural along I-76 at Spring Garden Street, along with landscaping improvements at seven key gateway sites stretching from Philadelphia International Airport to Center City.<\/p>\n The effort, dubbed \u201cGateways to Philadelphia\u201d Anti-Graffiti & Highway Beautification Project, is part of a broader push to prepare the city for a series of major events expected to draw millions of visitors, including America\u2019s semiquincentennial celebration, the FIFA World Cup<\/a> and the MLB All-Star Game<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen residents and visitors travel through Philadelphia, they should immediately feel the pride we have in our city,\u201d said Parker. \u201cThese improvements help transform major entry points into vibrant, welcoming spaces that showcase Philadelphia\u2019s vibrant culture, creativity, and commitment to cleaner and greener communities.\u201d<\/p>\n City officials said the project includes murals, graffiti removal, expanded maintenance efforts and large-scale landscaping installations along major highway corridors connecting the airport, 30th Street Station and Independence Hall.<\/p>\n \u201cYou get one chance to make a great first impression,” said Office of Clean and Green Initiatives director Carlton Williams. “What better way to welcome visitors and have them feel connected to the city than through symbolic and picturesque imagery of Philadelphia at its iconic entryways to the city.\u201d<\/p>\n The initiative targets seven priority locations across the city, including the South Street Bridge corridor, the I-76 and I-676 interchanges near Vine Street, areas surrounding 30th Street Station, 26th Street Gateway at Penrose Avenue and the CSX\/Amtrak wall at Spring Garden Street.<\/p>\n A centerpiece of the project is a 16,000-square-foot mural painted on a wall bordering I-76 near Spring Garden Street. The mural was designed by Philadelphia artist Carlos Lopez Rosa<\/a>, also known as Calo Rosa, and highlights Philadelphia landmarks and imagery tied to the city\u2019s identity and history.<\/p>\n “Philly is a city built on grit, and this team showed exactly what can be accomplished through passion, skill, and dedication,\u201d said Rosa. \u201cThis has been one of the most challenging and ambitious projects I’ve ever worked on \u2014 a project this big takes trust, teamwork, and vision, and this crew brought it all.”<\/p>\n Organizers from Mural Arts Philadelphia<\/a> said its Gateways mural along I-76 was one of the organization\u2019s most technically challenging projects because crews worked within active highway and rail corridors. The mural was completed in less than two months during overnight shifts coordinated with CSX, Amtrak and city agencies to temporarily divert traffic and suspend rail activity.<\/p>\n \u201cNo challenge is too great for Mural Arts when it comes to making public art that reflects the heart and soul of Philadelphia,\u201d said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. \u201cThe \u2018Gateways\u2019 project is a thrilling opportunity to spotlight the wealth of creative energy and artistic talent that lives here.”<\/p>\n