A former cultural hub and shopping destination for residents across Philadelphia, particularly Black Philadelphians, the 52nd Street corridor in West Philadelphia has experienced increasing disinvestment over the past few decades due to redlining, disruptive public transportation projects, and other factors. In more recent years, the City of Philadelphia, community development organization LISC, and other advocates have made efforts to return the corridor to its former glory.
Working in collaboration with the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, the nearby Workshop School, corridor businesses, and the resident community, The Intersect coordinated a lighting project to help improve corridor attractiveness, safety, and cleanliness. With the Commerce Department providing funding and the Workshop School producing the initial light prototype, the project was a component of an overarching 52nd Street beautification plan and resulted in the purchase and installation of 50 lights on 25 storefronts along the corridor.
