Date: Master Plan Completed

SALT Design Studio was commissioned by City Avenue Special Services District (CASSD) to develop a Landscape Master Plan for a 2.7 mile stretch of City Avenue between N. 63rd Street and Presidential Boulevard, spanning both the Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township sides of the corridor.

Through on-the-ground investigations and extensive site analysis, SALT documented the challenges of pedestrian safety on this high-volume state road and explored the possibilities for meaningful interventions on the streetscape. The team also engaged residents, institutions and business owners in both municipalities to understand their concerns, hear about recent experiences and tease out future visions for the corridor. In addition, historical research revealed that the alignment of City Avenue has served as a transportation route since the era of the Lenni Lenape.
 

Building on analysis, research, and community input, SALT developed a Landscape Master Plan that both elevates the pedestrian experience and establishes a cohesive visual identity for the City Avenue streetscape. Rooted in the corridor’s long history of movement and connection, the Plan envisions City Avenue as a vibrant, people-centered place that honors its transit legacy while embracing a more walkable future. The Master Plan introduces a clear, adaptable toolkit of design guidelines to help CASSD implement improvements that are safe, accessible, and visually engaging. Key recommendations include traffic-calming strategies—such as colorful crosswalk and bus stop murals—along with branded site furnishings, integrated green stormwater infrastructure, and flexible mini-gathering nodes designed for informal socializing and community events. Together, the Plan and toolkit create an exciting and sustainable framework for guiding the evolution of City Avenue into a distinctive and welcoming corridor for generations to come.

Website: https://www.saltdesignstudio.com/city-avenue-master-plan