El Centro de Oro Streetscape Project was completed in June 2011, was successful in realizing major streetscape repairs for the section of North 5thStreet between Lehigh and Indiana Avenues. This $3.8 million project helped to brand this vibrant commercial corridor and cultural center as a regional attraction for Philadelphia’s growing Latino community. The specific Streetscape improvements completed include:

• Lighting: New street lighting was installed to eliminate overhead wire clutter and to meet both pedestrian and vehicular illumination criteria.
• Sidewalks: Coloring and patterns in the sidewalk paving has traditionally been used to highlight the corridor, but has faded and been fragmented by paving repairs. Repaving the sidewalks with a distinctive design to provide visual impact of the project.
• Street furniture was replaced to avoid visual clutter, maintain sight lines and storefront visibility.
• Identity elements: Installation of metal palm trees at each corner to brand and communicate the identity of the unique cultural character of the corridor.

El Centro de Oro Streetscape Project was funded by the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the City of Philadelphia, and Cultural Corridor Program managed by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.