It's a project that was nearly jeopardized because of the ongoing Occupy Philadelphia protest at Dilworth Plaza.
Fences started going up around the plaza on Thursday morning, signs that the project was finally underway.
Paul Levy, the President and CEO of the Center City District, showcased the plans which include green spaces, enhancements to public transit and an ice skating rink for the winter.
Over the next few weeks you'll notice some work on Dilworth Plaza, but most of the work will be subsurface.
Still, Levy said it was necessary for the Occupy Philadelphia protestors to move for work to begin.
"Trees will be cut down, granite will be cut down. There are a huge amount of liability and insurance issues that go into a construction project. You do not want people to walk through a construction project," Levy said.
Levy went on to say that the Occupy protestors did not delay construction and the timing was right for it to begin.
The project costs $50 million. About 80 percent of that money is in hand with fundraising efforts still ongoing.
RELATED:
More info about the Dilworth Plaza construction project.
Renderings of completed Dilworth Plaza
