The Race Street Connector is the first example of how DRWC plans to connect Philadelphia and Old City to the waterfront and the new Race Street Pier. A combination of design elements will be unveiled to show connectivity to the river and to improve the pedestrian and bike experience, including a dedicated bike lane, signage, benches, bollards, curb realignments, increased sidewalk widths, crosswalks, plantings and a dramatic light screen along the right-side wall of the underpasses.
A new public art project will also be installed, entitled Marquee, an LED Work by artists Richard Tochia and Greenhouse Media. Marquee is comprised of a 60’ by 4’ horizontal LED screen mounted on the west-facing side of the I-95 overpass over Race Street in Old City. This LED screen displays live-feed images of the surface of the Delaware River, captured by cameras at the water’s edge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
EXCITING VISUALS: Event will include a program that includes the official lighting the LED public art project and the dramatic light screen, strolling lighted performers, featuring hula hoops and spinning lights, beginning on Race Street in Old City from 6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and then the Night Bright Band playing fun upbeat music with specially lit costumes, will lead a procession from the Connector to the Race Street Pier for the balance of the evening from 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. HANG (a metal percussion instrument) Musician, Dante Bucci will perform on Race Street Pier while DJ Jack Tripper spins tunes with complimentary dessert from the Bike Caffe for the balance of the celebration.
Program features the following speakers:
§ Tom Corcoran, President of DRWC
§ Mayor Nutter
§ Councilman DiCicco
§ Jeremy Nowak, President of the William Penn Foundation
§ Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development
§ James Corner, James Corner Field Operations
and Lead Designer of Race Street Pier and Connector
§ Gary Steuer, Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia
§ Ryan Berley, President of Old City Civic Association
PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future