Parkway is popping as 100th anniversary approaches

IN RECENT years, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway has become home to the Barnes Foundation and a redesigned Sister Cities Park.

Now, with the 100th anniversary of the Parkway's completion coming in 2017-18, civic leaders are exploring ways to both observe that milestone and also look toward the next 100 years.

What's next for Philadelphia's grand scenic boulevard, which stretches from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art?

That was the topic of a panel discussion yesterday at the Union League in Center City.

Gail Harrity, president and chief operating officer of the art museum, said plans are progressing on major renovations designed by architect Frank Gehry for the interior of the circa-1928 building.

The new designs, which were on display from July 1 to Sept. 1, reveal interior spaces that are opened up and expanded with more light.

The plan adds more than 169,000 square feet of exhibition space that will allow the museum to display more of its collection.

Harrity noted that the museum has already renovated other spaces, such as the nearby Perelman Building and the exterior of its main museum.

"We need to be renewed and re-envisioned for the art and visitors of the 21st century," Harrity said.

Siobhan A. Reardon, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, talked about new spaces for the library that will allow people to gather to share ideas and boost entrepreneurial goals. There will also be a new business-innovation area on a separate level, she said.

Someone in the audience brought up homeless people gathered on the parkway.

Paul Levy, executive director of the Central Philadelphia Development Corp., said that homelessness can't be eradicated by handing out food. He said the city must address an array of social and medical services.

"All of our work has been focused on creating quality public spaces from Dilworth [Park] to Cafe Cret to Sister Cities, and we are interested in seeing that continue as the city takes on the important next step of planning JFK Plaza," said Levy, who is also president and CEO of the Center City District. The parking garage underneath the plaza, more commonly known as LOVE Park, was sold by the city this summer, setting the stage for its remodeling.

Levy said the development corporation has been working for 10 years with a number of institutions and city departments to improve the Parkway to make it more green and pedestrian-friendly and less like a major highway.