There is a plethora of construction activity underway in
University City. (I wrote about the construction activity underway in this
week's print edition.)
While real estate development is on the rise in the West
Philadelphia neighborhood, other positive indicators point to an area of the
city that has reversed a trend of decline and is thriving. It’s not glimmers of
success, either.
Jobs and employment have risen, population grown, housing
stock increased, the number of restaurants and retailers crept up and the
amount of office inventory has expanded and maintains an enviable 96 occupancy
rate, according to University City’s latest annual report. An abundance of
development activity is underway and billions of dollars more will eventually
be set in motion. Learn more here.
While data reveal how well University City is doing these
days, there is still work to be done, said Matt Bergheiser, executive director
of University City District, or UCD.
UCD continues to work on the West Philadelphia Skills
Initiative, which connects residents with nearby employers. So far, it has
placed more than 125 people in jobs.
“The skills initiative has been growing gangbusters,”
Bergheiser said.
UCD is also evaluating some of its placemaking efforts to
see what can be improved and expanded along the eastern edge of the
neighborhood. It is looking at seizing on some ignored spots, such as bridges,
that could be enhanced in some fashion.
The Porch is an example of a successful gathering spot
next to 30 th Street Station that is programmed with events and spearheaded by
UCD. The space will get a revamp.
One of its long-talked about projects will finally get
underway. The organization has raised $2 million for the construction of the 40
th Street Trolley Portal.
“You have this great neighborhood and you have a
half-acre site that is just dead where the neighborhood ends,” Bergheiser said.
Work will begin next year on changing that.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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