Earlier this year, with support from William Penn Foundation, the City requested proposals from renowned design teams to create a world-class public realm plan for pedestrian-centric, permanent changes that will dramatically improve the safety, functionality, and beauty of the Parkway. The Lindy Institute is advising the City on this project.

The Parkway Ideas Workshop is the first phase of the design process. This event introduced three design teams to the public:

• MVRDV
• DLand Studio + DIGSAU
• Design Workshop

On June 9^th, 2021 the City hosted a public kick-off event for the Parkway Ideas Workshop. The event included remarks from Parks & Rec Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell and Deputy Managing Director of the Office of Infrastructure, Transportation, and Sustainability Mike Carroll. Dr. David Brownlee, Frances Shapiro-Weitzenhoffer Professor Emeritus of 19th Century European Art at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Elijah Anderson, Sterling Professor of Sociology and of African American Studies at Yale University, also presented, and participated in a panel discussion facilitated by Harris Steinberg, The Lindy Institute's Executive Director.