Pearl St. Passage

In June of 2014, the Philadelphia Center for Architecture, with Friends of the Rail Park, and led by Asian Arts Initiative was named a recipient of one of 55 grants distributed by ArtPlace America to fund creative placemaking projects across the United States. The grant will fund the revitalization of a 4-block corridor of Pearl Street – from 10th Street to Broad - in the Chinatown North/Callowhill neighborhood. The transformation includes long-term capital improvements, such as greening, lighting, and public gathering spaces. The project will be led by Groundswell Design Group, who has an amazing track record of placemaking in Philadelphia; including groundbreaking projects like Spruce Street Harbor Park.

Pearl Street’s transformation will be celebrated and revealed to the public and DesignPhiladelphia will kick off its 2015 Festival with Pearl Street Passage. For several days in October, the 1100 block will be transformed with about 10 installations created by multidisciplinary teams of artists, designers, makers, builders, neighborhood stakeholders and others. The handsome constructions will be experiential, educational and fun. Most of all, the Passage will announce Pearl Street as a place that promotes creativity and social vibrancy.