Philly RFQ: I-95 Runs Through It

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation seeks qualifications to plan an open space connection between Center City and its waterfront. I-95, which runs parallel to the Delaware River inside the city, currently cuts off waterfront access.

1 minute read

February 13, 2013, 6:00 AM PST

By boramici


The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) has put out a request for qualifications for teams of engineers, planners and designers to create preliminary designs for an 8-acre park to be built over a portion of I-95 in Philadelphia. The park would provide a walkable and bikable connection between a prospective waterfront redevelopment area, Penn's Landing, and Philadelphia's historic Old City.

Penn's Landing is currently an outdoor concert and festival destination without other uses to attract visitors.

The DRWC requires that preliminary design proposals study market demand on the waterfront. Its masterplan calls for a mix of uses, including retail and mid-rise residential.

Light rail planning to connect the waterfront to Center City is also part of the project.

Examples of successful urban transformations of a similar scope include Providence's rerouting of I-95 out of the city, the Embarcadero's conversion from an elevated freeway to a six-lane boulevard in San Francisco and Dallas's construction of a 5.2 acre park over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Monday, February 11, 2013 in Next City

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

Workers putting down asphalt on road.

U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause

A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.

April 18, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Aeriel view of white sheep grazing on green grass between rows of solar panels.

Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US

The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.

8 minutes ago - Columbus Dispatch

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

New York’s Deadliest Neighborhoods for Pedestrians

Pedestrian deaths rose last year, but remain below pre-2020 levels.

1 hour ago - PIX 11

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

April 23 - The Seattle Times

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.