Fairmount Park would be slated to have a massive beautification facelift if U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah have their way.

They are introducing legislation to authorize $45 million for the Centennial District in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.

This project would transform and revitalize the area extending from the Philadelphia Zoo to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

Casey and Fattah announced the Centennial District Authorization Act in a news conference on Monday.

It was held at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain, 4231 North Concourse in the heart of Fairmount Park at 11 a.m.

There the federal lawmakers presented the positive ramifications of their proposals.

On hand for Monday’s announcement was Councilman Curtis Jones. Also present were members of the Fairmount Park Commission, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Please Touch Children’s Museum and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

“One of the most historically significant neighborhoods in Philadelphia is in need of repair and revitalization,” Casey said. “The funds authorized in this bill seek to re-establish the Centennial District as a major cultural destination while also working with community partners to improve commerce and revitalize the infrastructure of the Parkside Avenue Corridor. I’m pleased to be joined by Congressman Fattah and the members of the Centennial District in announcing his historic piece of legislation to revitalize this community.”

While Casey would be rallying support for the legislation in the U.S. Senate, Fattah would be advocating and garnering support for the measure in the House of Representatives.

Consequently, Fattah concurred with Casey that the legislation would have far-reaching effects on both Philadelphia and the entire region.

“Any improvement at the Centennial District benefits all Philadelphians, who love Fairmount Park as we can readily see today and every day,” Fattah said. “This legislation especially authorizes for the neighborhoods and gateways along Parkside, Girard Avenue and other West Philadelphia communities where the park’s most dedicated users reside. Senator Casey is to be commended for his leadership. I am pleased to join him, and I will be lading the fight in the House for this needed boost for the Centennial District.”

The Centennial District Authorization Act would authorize the $45 million to be disbursed over five years.

It would fund capital projects, planning and technical assistance. These projects would include gateways to the district including signage, public parks and spaces and streetscape.

It would also include lighting for the Girard Gateway. If enacted, Congress would need to provide the funding through the annual federal budget process.

The master plan envisions the transformation and revitalization of the entire West Philadelphia area of Fairmount Park.

It includes proposals for land use, transportation and community development. It is a multi-faceted, 20-year plan with an end date of 2026.

That is the year that coincides with the 250th anniversary of America’s Independence Day celebration.

Furthermore, the master plan examines the connection from the Centennial District to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as the entire city and region.

This plan was funded through the Fairmount Park Conservancy with generous support from the William Penn Foundation and the Lenfest Foundation.

It was in 1876 that a massive international exhibition was held at Fairmount Park’s Centennial District in honor of the 100th birthday of the United States.

The event was staged in the newly formed Fairmount Park. The Centennial Exhibition involved displays from around the country and the world.

At that time, Philadelphia was the nation’s fastest growing city and had a population of 800,000.
Nearly 10 million visitors converged on the city for the Centennial during the exhibition’s six-month run.

The success of the display led to the permanent establishment of Memorial Hall. This was originally slated to be a temporary site as the centerpiece of the Centennial. The hall continued as the Philadelphia Museum of Art until 1927.

It is now slated to be the new home of the Please Touch Museum. The children’s museum was founded in 1976 with a mission of enriching the lives of children by providing learning opportunities through play. The museum will be holding its grand opening gala on Oct. 3.

The Philadelphia Zoo, another venue in the Centennial District, was established just prior to the nation’s 100th birthday in 1874. It is America’s oldest zoological gardens.

In 1976 the Mann Center was build at the western end of the old Centennial grounds. It was originally built to be the summer home for the Philadelphia Orchestra. It now offers a diverse summer season of entertainment and educational programs.

Fairmount Park is one of the nation’s largest municipal park systems. It has 63 parks on its 9,200 acres and is overseen by the Fairmount Park Commission.