Last we checked in on the Reading Viaduct park project, we told you that the Center City District had commissioned a design study for what could be the first phase of the elevated park, which would transform the SEPTA-owned portion of the viaduct that runs from Callowhill to 13th and Noble Streets.

Now we’re getting a first look at what those designs look like. And, honestly, it’s pretty hard not to be excited.

This section of the Viaduct is less than 1/4 of a mile long, but the designs are nothing less than transformative. The park designs include a bunch of amenities like new trees and plantings, an outdoor classroom, seating, swings and more.

The designs also call for connecting the Viaduct to an entrance on North Broad Street at Noble Street just across the street from the Inquirer Building. That would be in addition to two other main access points: on 13th Street at Noble and on Callowhill between 11th and 12th.

The renderings look awesome.

We hope the Center City District continues to work with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce and Department of Parks & Recreation as well as the William Penn Foundation and Poor Richard’s Charitable Trust to make sure this thing happens.

Talk about a game-changer.

More renderings below.

The idea is to develop this spur of the Viaduct as phase one.

Paul Levy, the Executive Director of the Center City District, is confident that this section of the Viaduct could be developed for a very reasonable amount of money and used to demonstrate how successful the fully transformed Viaduct park would be.

The Center City District is working with landscape architect Bryan Hanes, the designer of the new Sister Cities Plaza, on the designs for this section of the Viaduct.

You can view the full design presentation as a PDF on the Center City District’s website.

Stay tuned for more information.

Reading Viaduct Spur Presentation (PDF) [Center City District via Hidden City]