Yet another hidden gem in Philadelphia, my next adventure spot is not abandoned whatsoever. Instead, this relatively new art installation in South Philly lights up the streets with its extremely Instagram-able features.

Nicknamed “The Electric Street,” the Percy Street Project encapsulates an illuminated neon mural in the Passyunk Square Philadelphia neighborhood. The installation ironically seems like a microcosm of the flamboyant, rivalrous displays of the iconic cheesesteak joints Pat’s and Geno’s less than two blocks away.

The volunteer-driven mural uses more than 200 feet of flexineon LED lights to illuminate the painted walls and create a colorful glowing effect. According to the project’s website, its creators aimed to use this mural to increase foot traffic in the area to make it a safer neighborhood and one that fostered more of a community atmosphere. The project currently resides on the back of two properties, but they plan to eventually expand it to cover the entire block.

The inspiration behind The Percy Street Project connects to a bigger idea in society: the role of art in urban areas. Murals are way more common in densely populated areas and positively impact neighborhoods in a variety of ways. Not only do they increase foot traffic and sometimes create destinations in otherwise neglected areas, but murals also plainly add color to the often bleakness of the brick, concrete, and asphalt landscape of big cities.

I have been to The Electric Street several times over the years, and I have watched it become more and more popular with people from my high school and other people on the social media. I discovered the mural when I was looking for parking during one of my late night cheesesteak runs to the city with my friends in the summer. After being intrigued by a bright, glowing alley as I drove by the street in the early hours of the morning, we grabbed our cheesesteaks (whiz without) and enjoyed them while gazing at the cool work of art. I will always admire the creators behind The Percy Street Project and other like-minded individuals who realize their ability to enact change in their cities through art.