PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Just before the Philadelphia Portal was set to be disassembled on Thursday, a last-minute deal was struck to keep the live-streaming art installation at City Hall.
Between the Wi-Fi connection, the electricity bill, and the fees the company charges to house the project, the Portal has been very expensive to operate.
Due to a lack of funding, it was set to be dismantled on Thursday and shipped to Miami. But at the last minute, an anonymous private donor stepped up with the needed funding to keep the installation in place.
The Portal features an 8-foot-tall circular screen that allows people to interact via video with others at Portals in places like Ireland, Poland and Lithuania. It has been in Philadelphia since 2024 as part of the lead-up to the city’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
It was installed at LOVE Park but relocated to the City Hall courtyard after the screen was damaged by vandals, who stripped copper wiring from it.
“The Portal was a guest and now it’s become family,” said Michael Newmuis, director of the city’s 250 office. “We are looking forward to keeping it here on city property.”
CEO Nicolas Klaus said more information will be announced soon.
