Avenue of the Arts redesign (finally) arrives

State of play: The first phase of the AveArts 2.0 on South Broad Street will focus on the block in front of the Kimmel Center.

• The Avenue of the Arts Inc., the nonprofit behind the project, is holding an event at 11am at the Kimmel Center (invitation only).
• Construction won't kick off until Jan. 30 and is expected to be wrapped up in June as the city's biggest summer events arrive, including World Cup matches and the MLB All-Star Game.

Worth noting: South Broad is not expected to be closed during construction.

Flashback: The project was delayed by nearly a year.

The big picture: The now $150 million project aims to remake 10 blocks along the roadway from City Hall to Washington Avenue over the next decade.

Zoom in: The first phase of the project at South Broad and Spruce streets includes a new, raised median filled with greenery — think trees and plants — and public art.

• Plus: The median will be tall enough to discourage pedestrians from crossing the busy roadway.

What else: The Avenue of the Arts is also accepting designs for light-pole banners that will run from Lombard Street to Washington Avenue this year, per the nonprofit's website.

• The deadline to submit designs is 3pm Friday.