Philadelphia to Add Art to Parking Garages

One of Philadelphia Airport's (PHL) distinct features is a very long parking garage - one and a half miles long, exactly. And it faces Interstate 95, which isn't exactly the prettiest sight, and nor is it the best way to show off the city to visitors. Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor for Transportation, agreed: "I was stuck in traffic on I-95 near the airport one day and took a look at the parking garages.  It occurred to me that this was a perfect canvas for a gateway to the City project, so I called Jane Golden [of the Mural Arts Project] to discuss a collaboration."

And with that, the parking garage becomes a 1.5 mile-long blank canvas. On Tuesday, the city announced a great new project: the parking garage will feature a nearly 50,000-square foot mural of local dancers (click here for a rendering) entitled "How Philly Moves." The project will be coordinated by local artist Jacques-Jean “JJ” Tiziou.

"For millions of national and international visitors to Philadelphia this mural will provide a spectacular first impression of our city," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

The work will be produced over the next year and a half, and is scheduled to be completed in June 2011.