Planning and Capital Improvements

University City District understands the importance of urban planning and the role that capital improvements play in enhancing the economic viability of University City. As a result, UCD has undertaken some major planning and capital improvement projects, including:

  • A gateway plan to develop design ideas and action steps for making gateways into University City more welcoming;
  • A comprehensive pedestrian lighting plan to create a brighter, safer, and more inviting night time experience in University City;
  • Streetscape improvements to the Lancaster and Baltimore Commercial Corridors; and
  • Maps and signage at University City transit stops in conjunction with Center City.

Lighting

UCD has utilized lighting as a primary tool for enhancing tthe vitality and perception of safety of University City. The organization has installed more than 300 street lights, and numerous façade and residential lights, helping to illuminate our neighborhoods in the evening. In late 2008, UCD will begin installing pedestrian lighting on five blocks of Baltimore Avenue to make the shopping district brighter, safer, and a more desirable place to do business. Click here [PDF 14.2 mb] to see the master plan. In 2005, UCD hired a team of experts to evaluate our existing light levels and provide recommendations for ways to improve lighting conditions.

Neighborhood Lighting

In 2006, University City District coordinated the installation of more than 300 street lights that increased lighting levels by 25% between 30th and 43rd Street and Market Street and Woodland Avenue. The project was conducted in coordination with the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, the University of the Sciences, and the Science Center and cost nearly $2 million, with generous in-kind services from PECO and the City of Philadelphia Streets Department. Click here for the press release.

Pedestrian Lighting Project

Baltimore Avenue will benefit from a pilot project to install pedestrian lighting on our commercial corridors to increase business activity and improve public safety. UCD will engage resident and business stakeholders to ensure that the lighting plan is consistent with their needs. The project is estimated to cost $850,000 and will begin on January 5, 2009. The pedestrian lighting is made possible by generous grants from The William Penn Foundation, Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, and PennDOT. For updates on this project, click here.

UC Brite

The UC BRITE program provided matching funds to reimburse property owners for the purchase and installation of pole lights or other exterior lighting. The program assisted 114 property owners to purchase nearly $70,000 of fixtures and installation on 58 University City blocks. The UC BRITE program is not currently active. Replacement bulbs for the UC Brite fixtures are available from Monarch Hardware at 4502 Walnut and Arch Street Lighting at 120 Arch Street.

Streetscaping

Over the years, UCD has installed and maintains numerous street trees, bike racks, trash cans, planters, and other streetscaping elements to create an attractive and desirable destination for businesses and residents. UCD installed a total of 84 planters on Baltimore & Lancaster Avenues to help soften and brighten the corridors. In addition, UCD is working to develop small urban gardens on our neighborhood traffic islands, transform our many blank sidewalls into works of art with the Mural Arts Program, and highlight our community treasures through lighting and landscaping.

Clark Park

Working with the Friends of Clark Park (FOCP) to implement the recommendations of the 2001 Master Plan of Clark Park, UCD has retained Simone Collins to develop a design plan for the improvement of the North Park, including pathways, lighting, and drainage. The project committee includes numerous stakeholders and has solicited the input of the broad spectrum of park users. Click here to be connected to the FOCP website & Master Plan.

Gateways

The Gateway Study has identified the areas that are highly used points of entry in University City, such as the Schuylkill River bridges, 30th Street Station, and SEPTA stations. The study will recommend site-appropriate improvements, such as landscaping, improvements to building facades, decorative signage, lighting, and other design elements to create a community image for people traveling to or through University City. Click here to download a PDF [3 mb] of the full report.

Market Street Revitalization Streetscape Project

In 2007, UCD received a grant from DVRPC to investigate major enhancements to the intersection of 40th and Market Street. The City contributed funds from the ReStore Philadelphia Corridors Initiative, whose goal is to transform neighborhood commercial corridors and re-establish their historic roles as central places to shop, to work and to meet neighbors. Now, the University City Science Center has taken the reins on this project, which will revitalize Market Street between 34th and 41st Street. Continue reading...

Sustainable Communities Initiative-West

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)  recently introduced a new perspective on enhancing communities: the Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI). The Philadelphia LISC Sustainable Communities Program focuses on creating whole communities: safe places where attractive and valued real estate merge with employable, educated, healthy residents who generate enough income to care for themselves and their families. LISC recently chose West Philadelphia as one of its national Sustainable Community sites. Continue reading...