University City District Blog

Walnut Street repaving
Nov 30, 2023 5 days ago

(UPDATE) Walnut Street Repaving and Safety Project Beginning 9/12/23

11/30/23 Update

The paving process continues on West Walnut Street, and we have received updated information on the new layout of the street, which you can see below. 

Here is what has been accomplished as of November 30th:

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The Green Giving Challenge header image of plants
Nov 28, 2023 7 days ago

UCD Presents The Green Giving Challenge

UCD is raising money to maintain green space throughout the District. Plus each dollar raised for greening in University City will be matched up to $25,000. If you love and use green space in University City, now is the time to double your impact on the neighborhood we love.

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A group of graduates from a WPSI cohort
Nov 28, 2023 7 days ago

Lincoln Financial Foundation Awards $35,000 in Support for the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative

We are pleased to share that we are the recipients of a new $35,000 grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation to support the continued operation of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), our cohort-based, employer-driven job training program.

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2023 Guide to the Holidays in University City
Nov 13, 2023 22 days ago

Your 2023 Guide to the Holidays in University City

 

West Philadelphia is getting festive during this holiday season, with unique performances, ongoing deals at local small businesses and restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to shop from local vendors. See below for holiday highlights, and check back for updates!

 

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A graphic for Holiday Hoopla
Nov 10, 2023 25 days ago

West Philly Holiday Hoopla on Saturday, Dec. 9th!

On Saturday, December 9, celebrate the holiday season with events and deals across University City and West Philadelphia! Get into the holiday spirit by shopping at local vendor markets, enjoying one-day offers from restaurants and small businesses, and enjoying festive events throughout the neighborhood.

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A photo from University City of a tree during the fall with leaves on the sidewalk
Nov 06, 2023 29 days ago

Details on Fall 2023 Leaf Collection and Community Clean-up

Fall is a beautiful time to live and work in University City. We are lucky to have a stunning canopy of trees, and watching the leaves turn helps announce the true arrival of autumn to the area. Of course, with changing leaves comes major clean-up duties this time of year. Below, read about upcoming leaf collection options provided by the City.

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A group of WPSI graduates from a partnership with Philly Shipyard, Inc
Nov 03, 2023 32 days ago

Citizens Bank Continues Support of the Skills Initiative with $75,000 Contribution

We are sharing our gratitude in announcing that Citizens Bank has awarded us a $75,000 grant to support our nationally-recognized job training program, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI). This generous contribution pushes the total support offered by the Citizens Charitable Foundation to the Skills Initiative to over $600,000 since our program's inception.

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An image of trolley tracks in West Philadelphia
Nov 01, 2023 34 days ago

Filbert Street Trolley Track Renewal Project Will Impact Local Traffic Through December 9th, 2023

Our partners at SEPTA have announced upcoming work that will impact a portion of our neighborhood. From November 6th through December 9th, they will be performing excavation and renewal of a corroded and broken rail on Filbert Street between 38th and 40th Streets. The project will be broken into three phases, each with parking lane restrictions and accommodations, and people working and traveling through the area are asked to look for posted traffic detours around the work area in progress.

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A UCD Public Safety Ambassador with Postcards
Oct 24, 2023 42 days ago

A New Approach to Homeless Services

At University City District, the unifying mission across all our work is to change places and change lives. This mission is evident in our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, where we recruit Philadelphians to train for meaningful, career-changing positions with major employers. It’s clear in our Green City Works landscaping social venture, which employs West Philadelphians in well-paying, full-year landscaping positions.

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Fall in University City
Oct 17, 2023 49 days ago

Fall 2023 Events in University City

Fall is a beautiful time of year in University City, and there are plenty of local events to help get you in the autumnal spirit! Whether you're seeking spooky thrills or other seasonal fun, there are plenty of local events popping up through the neighborhood to enjoy! As always, visit our Community Calendar for a more comprehensive list of local events, and check back regularly as more events are added.

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Headshots of Salimah Fields (left) and Hanchao Zhang (right)
Oct 10, 2023 56 days ago

UCD Welcomes New Finance and Administrative Coordinator and Landscape Designer

Today, we are excited to share news of the arrival of two new colleagues at University City District! Join us in welcoming Salimah Fields as our new Finance and Administrative Coordinator, and Hanchao Zhang as our new Landscape Designer/Sales Representative for Green City Works.

 

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An image of Fontaine Gutierrez
Sep 12, 2023 2 months ago

UCD Employee Spotlight: Fontaine Gutierrez

West Philadelphia Skills Initiative Manager of Outreach and Communications Fontaine Gutierrez’s journey to working in workforce development began before she was even born. It was the 1970s, and Fontaine’s grandparents decided to uproot their family of six to move to Philadelphia to find opportunity in America.

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Visitors enjoying the Dollar Stroll
Aug 16, 2023 3 months ago

How to Conquer the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll

Since its debut in 2010, the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll has grown into a hugely popular event. Neighbors and Philadelphians from around the city convene on Baltimore Avenue to enjoy deals from local businesses, plus live music, free activities for kids, and a chance to experience one of our favorite commercial corridors in West Philadelphia.

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A crowd enjoying a movie in Clark Park
Jul 31, 2023 4 months ago

Movies in Clark Park 2023

The scheduled August 25th screening of Top Gun: Maverick in Clark Park has been postponed until our rain date of Friday, September 15th at 7:30 PM.

Catch free outdoor movies in Clark Park every Friday night in August,  presented by TD Bank! Don't miss Raiders of the Lost Ark, Encanto, King Richard, and Top Gun: Maverick. Films begin at sundown during fair weather, with a rain date for one film on September 15th. Presented by UCD, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Friends of Clark Park.

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Vendors at the Clark Park Farmers Market
Jul 24, 2023 4 months ago

The Clark Park Farmers Market Announces Updated Footprint

The Food Trust, one of the organizations that operates farmers' markets throughout the city, has announced a new footprint and layout for their popular Clark Park Farmers Market. Beginning August 12th, 2023, the market will alter its footprint from 43rd between Baltimore Avenue and Chester Avenue to occupying half of 43rd Street and the sidewalk along the north side of Chester Avenue. This change is due to the construction underway at 43rd and Baltimore, which has created significant physical barriers and safety issues.

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WPSI participants install planters at 30th Street Station
Jul 24, 2023 4 months ago

JPMorgan Chase Foundation Awards $339,000 Grant to West Philadelphia Skills Initiative to Spur Outcomes for Justice-Involved Jobseekers

Today we’re thrilled to share that our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative has been awarded a significant $339,000 grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to support our program’s capacity to advance a more inclusive and supportive workforce training approach for justice-involved individuals.

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Sewists working at Grant Blvd
Jul 24, 2023 4 months ago

WPSI and Grant Blvd Partnering on New Pilot Program with Support from the Commerce Department

Our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) and West Philadelphia-based sustainable fashion brand Grant Blvd are launching a pilot partnership called Fashion the Future to recruit, train, and employ formerly incarcerated women in positions within the fashion field.

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A community vendor cooking up offerings at the June 2022 Dollar Stroll
Jul 13, 2023 4 months ago

Community Vending at the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline to apply for the September 2023 Stroll has passed. If you are interested in applying to vend at future Dollar Strolls, you may email Margaret Leidy Starke, Senior Manager of Events and Community Partnerships, at [email protected]

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A SEPTA worker performing trolley track upkeep
Jun 27, 2023 5 months ago

SEPTA's Annual "Trolley Blitz" Will Take Place Between July 7th and July 24th, 2023

Beginning at 10 PM on July 7th, SEPTA crews will work around the clock, tackling critical track and power maintenance, station upgrades, and intensive cleaning as part of the 2023 Trolley Tunnel Blitz. The work will conclude by Monday, July 24th at 5 AM. 

 

CHANGES TO SERVICE

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