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. This initiative will contribute greatly to the betterment of the area by not only providing functional improvements, but by improving the safety of the area for students, employees and local residents. This streetscape project will include improvements to pedestrian walkways, pedestrian lighting, street signage, new trees, “urban rain gardens” and greening. The Science Center is working closely with UCD, the city’s Departments of Commerce and Streets and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. Multiple community meetings have been held throughout the year seeking input and comments.

The project was designed and engineered by Wells Appel and KS Engineers, respectively, and will involve partnerships with local business and organizations to minimize costs and maximize economic benefits to the local community. This landscaping project fits in with the Science Center’s overall Master Plan to develop five new buildings along Market Street, including new research laboratories, office and retail facilities. The Science Center believes it is critical to create and maintain a pleasant environment to “live, work and play.” Initiating a major landscaping project now will thus have profound and long lasting effects in helping to drive economic developments in this region.