"Shovels in the ground on Phase I will create the spark that ignites citywide support for the 3 Mile vision of The Rail Park," said Michael Garden, Vice President, Board of Directors for Friends of the Rail Park, when we reached out to him for comment on Friday. And with the Rail Park — the long-dreamed-for repurposing of the old Reading Railroad viaduct —  having just been awarded $3.5 million from the State of PA’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, well, those shovels should be on their way.

The Rail Park organization, as you might expect, is still fairly reeling from the news while also kicking into high gear. With many plans and designs already in place — the map above indicates the project’s phases, of which the Phase I area is pretty much a done deal; the rendering below gives you an idea of the how that will pan out visually — organizers are keen to keep this boost in momentum going. Next comes the fun part: Breaking ground. We’re told to expect news on that soon.