First look: Thomas Paine Plaza redesign
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The new look of the Thomas Paine Plaza with City Hall in the background. Photo: Mike D'Onofrio/Axios
The reboot of Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City is ready for its debut.
Why it matters: It's likely to become an al fresco hot spot on sunny days.
The big picture: Count this among the beautification projects and improvements Philly is completing before an influx of tourists for World Cup matches and other big events this year.
Driving the news: The $18 million, three-year overhaul brings a fresh look and new possibilities to the highly trafficked public square at the base of the Municipal Services Building, which sits beside City Hall and Love Park.
What's new:
- 😎 Pergola canopies with chairs and tables under them.
- 🚲 Bike racks.
- 🌳 Trees and plantings.
- 🪑 Granite, wood and metal benches.
🛹 1 cool thing: A small skateboarding area featuring a grind-box designed to look like a domino game piece — with salvaged material from the original Love Park.
Context: The makeover is the first for the plaza since it was created in 1962.
- The plaza was formerly known for its popular "Your Move" game pieces and oversized statue of the controversial former police commissioner and mayor Frank Rizzo.
Plus: Next year, the city will install a new statue of civil rights activist Sadie Alexander near the entrance to the Municipal Services Building.
What's next: A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at 3pm, followed by a skateboarding event with giveaways.
