The Old City neighborhood responded to the invitation from the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to attend the ‘Final Public Input Meeting for the Race Street Pier'  April 6, 2010, at the Festival Pier.

The "Slice Design" for the pier at Race St. and Columbus Blvd. (80' wide x 540' long Pier 11) was presented in its final form.  The design by James Corner Field landscape designers bisects the pier with a diagonal from the new south entrance to northeast edge of the pier. The north half of the pier rises to a high point at the end of the pier, and then steps down to the south half of the site at existing grade. Benches, railings and night lighting define the north and south halves of the pier. The north half is to have a wood-type walking surface; the south will have a green lawn and masonry-type walking surface. An expanse of original but unused wooden pilings will jut up and be exposed at the end of the pier. 

Trees will be planted along the site's diagonal, as well as other areas to provide shade and to create a welcoming entrance to the pier. Site clearance is underway and several existing trees on the site may be saved and incorporated into the design.

Being 540 feet out on a newly landscaped recreational pier in the Delaware River will be a new experience for a lot of Philadelphians. The design looks inviting and the experience could be thrilling.  There's a possibility that this pier will be very popular with everyone.  And it will be here in the Old City.  Opening is scheduled for 2011.