This spring, the City of Philadelphia unlocked $2.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads For All (SS4A) Grant Program to improve the Market East corridor. Now that funding is secured, the City will begin planning, design, and pre-development for improvements along Market Street from 6th to Juniper Streets.
Seizing the Moment
The work to revitalize Market East is a hallmark of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration. Through the creation of the Market East Advisory Group, Mayor Parker has brought stakeholders to the table to create a bold, unified vision for the corridor that is informed by the community. This grant will help fund engagement efforts that will guide both short-term and long-term plans for Market East.
“A safer, cleaner, and greener Market Street all the way from the Delaware River to City Hall is on the horizon,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “This endeavor requires considerable collaboration, and I am grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for their partnership in delivering this to the people of Philadelphia. Thanks to the leadership of the Market East Advisory Group and other public and private partners, we’re on track for a transformational overhaul of a vital artery for our city.”
Building on Momentum
This welcome development comes on the heels of this month’s ribbon-cutting, held further east on Market Street to mark the completion of a $16 million streets improvement project in the Old City neighborhood. The improvement project includes a comprehensive overhaul of the road design to make it safer and more accessible, new greenery, new bike infrastructure and a new curbless plaza at 2nd and Market streets.
This summer, a temporary art installation commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary has also been installed along East Market Street. Philadelphia joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National Endowment for the Arts’ America 250 City Art Poster Project, inviting local artists to create posters celebrating the city’s spirit, pride, and future. The top three posters by artists Kimberly Reising, James Starr, and Jason Prunty are now on display at the SEPTA Headhouse at the 1100 block of Market Street, while the top twelve finalists are on view in an exhibition as part of the Art in City Hall program.
Making Market Street Safer for Everyone
Determining which streetscape improvements are the best fit from 6th to Juniper Streets will be informed by a robust public engagement process funded by the SS4A grant, as well as research on other urban boulevards around the world. The Department of Planning & Development and Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems are working with WSP and a team of subconsultants to develop design options.
“Everything is on the table at this point,” said Kelley Yemen, Director of the Office of Multimodal Planning. “We’re looking forward to identifying improvements that make Market Street safer for everyone, while making it an attractive commercial destination in the heart of our downtown.”
Market Street is currently on the city’s High Injury Network – the 12 percent of roads where 80 percent of traffic deaths and serious injuries occur. Work for the next phase advances Philadelphia’s long-standing commitment to Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries from crashes.
Market East’s Next Chapter
This July, the Market East Advisory Group will open The Hub, a retail storefront directly on Market Street where people can go to share their opinion, complete a survey and learn about the Market East Revival. The Hub will have a soft opening on July 8, 2026 at 12 PM, with a grand opening press event the following week. Information gathered in The Hub will inform both the overall Market East Revival and Safe Streets For All streetscape improvements.
