CNBNews

of traffic down to one lane, and will add a parking and bicycle lane. The inner lanes will be shifted to allow widening of the center islands at each intersection. Taken together, these changes will dramatically improve the Parkway for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists alike. The major structural improvements will be completed by this fall, and the remainder of the work—including new trees and plantings—should be finished by next year.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis said, “We are thrilled to begin construction. This work will significantly enhance the Parkway’s streetscape and is another milestone in the City’s work, with our many partners, over the past several years to upgrade our grand boulevard of the arts.”

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Park and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) will oversee the work at the Rodin Museum, which includes a complete redevelopment of the exterior landscaping and the internal garden. In addition, the museum’s roof and façade will be cleaned and restored. Work on the building will likely begin this month, with the landscaping starting in July. Work is scheduled for completion by spring 2011. These improvements come on the heels of the restoration of the museum’s entryway, the Meudon Gate, which was completed earlier this year.

Major changes will take place at Sister Cities Park, where- under the direction of the Center City District (CCD) – an entirely new plaza will be built. A new fountain will be installed on the Plaza’s south side and will include a globe on which Philadelphia’s ten Sister Cities will be marked, with jets of water emitting from each “City” in proportion to its size. On the north end of the Park, there will be a children’s “Discovery Garden”, featuring a pond and rock-climbing. Work will be completed next year.

The work is supported by the City of Philadelphia, which is contributing $6.4 million and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which is providing $6.45 million to the city for the project. The Pew Charitable Trusts is contributing $2 million and managing the private contributions of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation ($1.25 million) and the William Penn Foundation ($1 million). The Philadelphia Museum of Art has devoted $2 million to renovate the interior garden of the Rodin Museum.

PHS, CCD and Fairmount Park have jointly developed a long-term maintenance plan to continue the Parkway’s high standard of landscaping after the work is completed.