A draft plan has just been released summarizing the two-year joint planning process as part of a long-range re-development of the station and its surrounding area (30th Street Station District Plan). The plan will be presented today (Wednesday, March 16), from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at an open house, which will take place at the station (behind the Amtrak ticket office).

The draft plan pinpoints several key development areas, including remodeling and enhancements to the station and building a new urban neighborhood with “a healthy balance of residential buildings, station-anchored commercial office towers, and retail, recreational, and cultural amenities to sustain a 24/7 environment.”

The plan also proposes a new expansive park, two new pedestrian and bicycle bridges over the Schuylkill river and both vehicular and pedestrian bridges across Powelton Yard to the west, a new intercity bus terminal, and reopening the tunnel connecting 30th Street Station to SEPTA’s subway and trolley station.  Continue Reading

Do you think there should be a better connection of the Market-Frankford Line or trolleys to 30th Street Station? Should there be an intercity bus station there?

An example of proposed improvements near 30th Street Station (click to enlarge).

Here’s a chance to provide your input on the plan to further transform the area around 30th Street Station by participating in an online survey about potential transportation and infrastructure changes.

You might want to have a look at the current state of the project before you fill out the survey, which is located here. Here is an overview video of the planning process.

The survey includes images of the feedback exercise during a public meeting on Dec. 16, 2015. For additional details about the Draft Physical Framework, feel free to view the Draft Physical Framework Report by clicking here and check out project overview video.

The survey will be open until 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.

Photo courtesy University City District.

Custom-made swings, a new feature that was announced in the spring as part of a major enhancement of The Porch, a public space near 30th Street Station, are finally here. Designed by San Francisco-based Gehl Studio, the new swings are a result of the University City District’s mission to introduce innovative social seating in the area. You may have seen their Looped-In seating structures or custom public transit stop seats in your neighborhood.

The 14 slatted, wooden swings, which add an element of play to the space, were manufactured locally, by Bill Curran Design (BCD), based in Philadelphia’s East Falls. They come in three versions: the Porch Swing, which is meant to mimic swinging on a front porch; the Lounger, a gentle swing that simulates floating on air; and the Park Swing, an individual swing placed on the edges of the Porch.  Continue Reading

The first Open House for the 30th Street Station District Plan Open House took place on January 2 and was well attended. (Photo from phillydistrict30.com)

On Wednesday, June 17, there will be another opportunity to learn more about the 30th Street Station District Plan, a joint planning project for the area surrounding 30th Street Station. The second open house for the project will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the station’s Amtrak building (30th St entrance).

Nearly 300 people attended the first open house on January 28 and participated in a survey. This Wednesday, open house attendees can see results of the survey (click here for the summary).

There will also be opportunities to:

• Meet the project team
• Gain a better understanding of the plan
• View early design ideas and provide input
• Learn what’s next for the plan

The 30th Street Station District Plan is a joint effort by Amtrak, Drexel University, SEPTA, Brandywine Realty trust, and other public and private stakeholders. More information about the project is available at: www.phillydistrict30.com.

The Porch, the lively public space near 30th Street Station, reopened today after being closed for a few weeks for renovations and upgrades, which include new landscaping design and seating. Also, some cool new features were introduced and a more permanent food concept, The Rotisserie, in addition to gourmet food trucks that have been offering food, drinks and desserts at The Porch since its inception in 2011.

30th Street Station District Plan open house (Photo via from www.phillydistrict30.com)

As we reported earlier this year, the stakeholders behind the 30th Street Station District Plan are seeking feedback from the community and interested parties on the project through a series of public open houses and via the District Plan’s website.

The results of a project survey completed between January 28 and February 27 have just been announced. Some 339 people completed the survey distributed at the open house or online. Participants answered the questions about their experiences at the station and in the surrounding area, and their future expectations. Also, they submitted hundreds of ideas about improvements to the station, transportation network and the neighborhood, which the project team will analyse.

Here are some of the ideas that the project team will be considering.  Continue Reading