New statue for 30th Street Station is still TBD
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The new monument we were promised for 30th Street Station is months behind schedule but coming closer into focus.
Why it matters: The statue for the transit hub's namesake — deceased U.S. Rep. William H. Gray III — missed the boat on welcoming an influx of tourists during Philly's busy summer events.
State of play: The William H. Gray III Memorial Foundation has yet to settle on a final design, foundation spokesperson Licy Do Canto tells Axios.
- Yes, but: The foundation has narrowed its selection down to two of the five final designs that had been unveiled in July 2025. Do Canto declined to reveal the two designs being considered.
- The ETA for the final design selection is TBD, but Do Canto hinted it'll be very soon.
Catch up quick: The $1.2 million memorial is expected to stand just steps inside the station's grand hall.
- As one of the first things people will see upon entering the building, it'll likely become a rendezvous spot at the station.
Flashback: The foundation previously said it planned to select a winning design in the fall of 2025 and have the memorial set up in time for Philly's World Cup games and other 250th events this summer.
What they're saying: Do Canto said the timeline for the project was pushed back due to working out "regulatory and legal requirements" — think safety concerns and how to maintain the future memorial.
💡 1 fun thing: The future monument will be incorporated into the Philly school district curriculum.
Between the lines: The station is undergoing a yearlong renovation project to upgrade its South Concourse and other areas.
💠Mike's thought bubble: My money is on the foundation selecting Hank Willis Thomas' "Reverence" design of two massive hands touching at the fingertips (seen below).
- IMO, it's the most eye-catching of the bunch and fits the feng shui of the space.
Go deeper: See all the designs.