$17M facelift OK'd for Parkway

Over the next three years, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will receive a $17.1 million face-lift, complete with enhanced sidewalks, new trees and shrubbery and two revamped parks.

Gov. Rendell officially unveiled the project yesterday, saying the historic Parkway deserved the investment.

"It is an incredible avenue," Rendell said. "It's the Champs-Elysees without the Burger King, without the McDonald's, without the movie theaters. And we not only have to keep it that way, we have to preserve it."

The $17 million effort - scheduled to conclude in 2011 - will be paid for by the state, city and several foundations.

The city will provide $6.4 million, all coming from the capital budget, said Wendell Pritchett, city director of policy, research and planning.

The state will provide $6.45 million. The project will also get $2 million from Pew Charitable Trusts, $1.25 million from the Knight Foundation and $1 million from the William Penn Foundations.

Key improvements include:

* Sidewalks along the Parkway between 16th and 18th streets will have new curbs, benches and plants.

* Between 21st and 23rd streets there will be new bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, benches and new landscaping.

* Shakespeare Park in front of the Free Library will be newly landscaped. The Center City District also will look into the possibility of an outdoor cafe.

* The Sister Cities Plaza in front of the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul will get a makeover with more grass, paths, benches and perhaps a fountain.

Also announced yesterday were plans to create a park at 12th and Catharine streets, on the site of the former Martin Luther King Jr. public housing high-rise. The $2.1 million green space will include trees, benches and a lawn area that could be used as an amphitheater. *