PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Some improvements are coming to the oldest diamond district in the country.
About $2 million is being invested into Jewelers’ Row in Center City to make the area more attractive and increase foot traffic to pre-pandemic levels.
Planning for this project, which began in 2019 but was slowed by the pandemic, resumed last year.
Phase one, which is almost complete, added planters on the sidewalk and along 7th and Sansom streets, as well as new LED lights and banner poles.
They also eliminated about 12 to 15 parking spaces to add new landscaping and “leave room for outdoor chairs and tables for restaurants that can be out on the street after people shop,” said Paul Levy, president of the Center City District.
The Commonwealth awarded a $500,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for the project. The Center City District is giving an additional $1.5 million in its reserves for the enhancements.
In a few months, there will be an overhead gateway arch at 7th and Samson streets.