Following decades of decline, commercial corridors have reclaimed an important role in the revitalization of our cities. Community leaders, policymakers, artists and developers are investing time, energy and money into animating these corridors to again serve their neighborhoods.

On Saturday, February 16, fifteen urban innovators from cities across the country will convene in Philadelphia for an afternoon salon, hosted by Next City and open to the public — Crafting Corridors: Reinventing the Urban Street. Held at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture, registration will open at 11:30 a.m. and the program will kick-off promptly at 12 p.m. and run through 5:00 p.m., followed by a reception until 6:00 p.m. 

• Meet the Vines Brothers, who wear their love for St. Louis on their sleeves — literally. Hailing from the great state of Missouri, Jeff and Randy will tell us how their love affair with St Louis’ Cherokee Street began and how their business, The Style House, has become more than just a storefront.
   
• Learn how New York-based Project for Public Spaces (PPS) has used Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) experiments to activate space and build consensus. David Nelson will also present PPS’ recently released Rightsizing Streets Guide.
   
• Hear about the revival of Passyunk Avenue. Sam Sherman, Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation’s executive director, will share how this street, which cuts across the grid and through the heart of South Philadelphia, is breaking the mold.
   
• Plus, hear from the creative minds behind Station North Arts & Entertainment District, Baltimore; Icy Signs, Philadelphia/Brooklyn; the Livonia Avenue Initiative, New York; Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia; Central Market Partnership, San Francisco; CoSign, Cincinnati; and many more!

The complete line-up of presenters will soon be announced, so be sure to check back at nextcity.org for updates. The salon will kick off at noon, and each presenter will have just ten minutes to pitch their approach to transforming downtown streets into vibrant, liveable corridors.

Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to dig in deep, learn about the nitty gritty of the various projects presented, and explore issues around the revitalization of urban corridors through interactive workshops led by select presenters. We'll wrap up with a reception at 5:00 pm, so stick around to enjoy eats, drinks, and conversation.

This event in sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the largest community development support organization in the country. Next City is grateful for LISC’s generous support.