FYI PHILLY: THE PORCH

Originally broadcast on 6 ABC

By Alicia Vitarelli
Saturday, June 06, 2015 06:12AM

30th Street is Amtrak's 3rd busiest train station nationwide with millions of riders passing through each year.

Prema Katari Gupta, Dir of Planning & Economic Development, University City District said, "For a lot of people, myself included, this is their first impression of Philadelphia."

And that first impression used to be a concrete parking lot.

"We wanted to be colorful and lively and bright and fun, the way Philadelphia is now," said Gupta.

University City District challenged the landscape architects at Groundswell Design to turn that vision into a reality.

David Fierabend, Principal, Groundswell Design Group said, "The parameters were make it green and lush."

And they made it green in more ways than one.

The green turf is "actually made of recycled plastic bags," says Fierabend.

And the wood that holds the flowers is also re-purposed and the side screens and umbrellas are made of recycled metal.

Fierabend explained where he got his inspiration, "It's a train station. It's a busy time for everybody. We want people to like relax and enjoy life a little bit more."

Michael Schulson Restaurants is serving up rotisserie eats, "which consists of a slow roasted pork belly, slow roasted lamb belly and lamb shoulder," says Jake Bukowski, Sous Chef, MJS Restaurants.

They also make spit-roasted wings, veggie and beef burgers and fish tacos.

The meats are spit-roasted for 2 and a half hours.

They also make porchetta. It's marinated in garlic and herbs and served with a warm baguette and spicy mayo.

So just delicious, hearty food, kick back in a lounge chair. "Absolutely sort of a taste of Philly," said Bukowski.

It's going to be a delicious summer.

You can see more on this story on FYI Philly on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at midnight on Channel 6.