University City District works year-round to change places and change lives. Here are a few of the ways we did so in 2018.
A New Destination Public Space
Please use the before and after comparison slider below and throughout the site.
After years of effort, we completed our newest public space, Trolley Portal Gardens. The $4.5 million public-private project transformed a utilitarian transit hub into a vibrant space that features lush landscaping, seating options, and the new Trolley Car Station restaurant. The project serves as the new eastern anchor of the Baltimore Avenue business corridor, and we invite the community to come and relax, linger, eat, play, and catch a trolley! Read more about it from The Inquirer and The Philadelphia Citizen.
Fostering Local Talent
Before walking in the door of our job training program, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative participants had spent an average of 53 weeks without a job. Last year, 91% of our graduates connected to life-changing employment opportunities, and today they possess the skills and confidence needed to thrive on the job.
Giving Back to Civic Associations
In 2018, we developed projects with the five civic associations on our board to improve our shared community. Like this long empty storefront that now tells the story of Cedar Park, the projects speak to the rich history and civic engagement of our community. From placemaking interventions to signage featuring notable residents from the past, you can read about all 5 projects here.
Growing Careers
Our Green City Works landscaping social venture cultivates beautiful public spaces across the district and city, and – as a social venture – it also transforms the lives of crew members, including Xia Frazier. In three years, Xia went from unemployment to serving as the site supervisor for CHOP’s Roberts Center, one of our largest clients. Learn more about Xia in the video above.
Preserving a Community Anchor
The Hickman Temple AME church at 50th and Baltimore Ave faced a crisis when harsh winter weather caused a section of the roof to detach from the wall, forcing the congregation out of their sanctuary. The church’s leadership came together with UCD’s Project Rehab and a group of neighbors to develop a plan to save the historic building from the wrecking ball, ensuring the future of a vital community anchor. Read more on the story from Plan Philly.
Helping a Business Take Root
When Mason Wartman, owner of the successful $1 slice pizza shop Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Center City, sought a second location for his business, UCD’s Small Business Services lent a hand. We helped find a location on 40th Street, secure nearly $120,000 in funds, and serve as a liaison to City agencies. An empty storefront became a bustling business that is already spurring more business growth along the corridor. Read more about this project from The Inquirer.
A Commitment to Quality of Life
Since UCD’s inception our safety ambassadors and public space maintenance professionals have worked year-round to clean, maintain, and patrol more than 160 blocks. By keeping the community clear of graffiti and trash, UCD’s cleaning crews ensure that the neighborhood is a dynamic place for residents, students, employers, and businesses, while our ambassadors are on the streets providing walking escorts and vehicle jumpstarts to create a safe and welcoming environment.
Continued Activation at Philadelphia’s Front Porch
Where once we had parking spots, we now have The Porch at 30th Street Station, our flagship public space – and this year marked the first full season of The Pub at the Porch, a bright turquoise beer garden meant to activate the space in the evening. After seven years in operation, The Porch continues to serve as a testing ground for new ideas, a gathering spot for workers and commuters, and the catalyst for public space development in the surrounding area.
Offering Free and Fun Community Events
In the span of just a few hours, UCD’s Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll transforms this commercial corridor into a street festival that entices thousands of people from across Philadelphia to try $1 deals from local businesses and vendors. Our signature events like University City Dining Days, Movies in Clark Park, and the Summer Series bring life, vibrancy, and commerce to our community.
Commitment to Effective Transportation
In 2018 we formed a Transportation Management Association (TMA) to take on transit issues impacting our neighborhood, from highway on-ramps to congestion to new bike lanes. In February 2019 the new 49 bus route, developed with input from UCD, will debut to connect underserved neighborhoods to University City jobs.
UCD FY18 Financial Results
FY18 Sources: $11,807,015
FY18 Uses: $10,131,933
Thank you to our donors:
$500,000 and above
Lenfest Foundation
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority
Drexel University
$100,001 - $500,000
Brandywine Realty Trust
Campus Apartments
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
City of Philadelphia
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
University City Associates
The University City Science Center
University of the Sciences
$25,001 - $100,000
Bank of America Foundation
Bureau of Recreation and Conservation
FMC Corporation
HCP
INTECH Construction
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
National Board of Medical Examiners
SEPTA
Turks Head Health Services Inc
William Penn Foundation
$5,001 - $25,000
40th Street Promenade, LP
The Barra Foundation
Central City Toyota
Has Investments Partners, LLP
IBID Associates
International House Philadelphia
Korman Residential Properties
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Miller Investment Management
Neighborhood Preservation & Development
New Age Realty Group, Inc.
Patricia Kind Family Foundation
PECO Energy
Pennoni Associates
Renaissance Healthcare & Rehab
The Restaurant School
Southern Land Company
The Study at University City
The Wistar Institute
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southeastern New Jersey
Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
Wells Fargo Foundation
$1,001 - $5,000
40th Street Live Associates LP
ABM
AMC Delancey Group, Inc.
American Law Institute
Archer & Greiner P.C.
C.L. Presser Company
The Energy Co-op
Barry Grossbach and Mike Hardy
Hello Fresh
Inspire Energy
Knickerbocker Properties
New Horizons West
Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Powercrunch
The Results Companies
Robert Schoepe
Thomas Klaritch
U3 Ventures LLC
University Enterprises
University Pin Ball
Verizon
Visit Philadelphia
WE
William Schoepe
WinnCompanies
$250 - $1,000
Arthur Staddon
American Picture Framing
Andrew C Wheeler
Andrew Stober
Arlene Caney
B. Scott Zuckerman
Charles Haub Jr.
Chester Avenue Dog Association
Clarkville
Connelly Foundation
Copabanana
Craig Carnaroli
Curtis Hess
Daphne Hawkins - Parker
David E. & Lauren Leatherbarrow
David Mandell
David Penkower
Davis Pharmacy
Debra McCarty
F.C. Barschow & Sons Inc.
Fallon Kider
Friedman, LLP
Gabriel Ledger
George Poulin
Gregory Montanaro
Heather Calvert
Homewood Suites
James Edgar
Jeffrey Saven
Joe Reagan, Jr.
Joe Ritchie
John Carr
Jonathan Moore
Joseph Reagan, Jr.
Julie Blank
Kenneth Gedaka
Larry Gladney
Leah Finnegan
Linford Martin
Mark Mendenhall
Mary Beth Gray
Matthew Bergheiser
Michael Agnew
Michael Froehlich
Neil Sheppard
Nelson Shaffer
NJ TRANSIT
Onuorah Umeh, M.D.
Philip Rosenau Co. Inc.
PhillyProp, LP
Rachel Walker
Richard Kirk
Sara Corse
Sun-lite Corporation
Swirling Silks, Inc.
The Inn at Penn, A Hilton Hotel
Transform Church
Wayne's Garage, Inc.
William McKenna
Our FY18 Financial Results are available here.
Thank you to our funders and donors for making our work possible. We look forward to working with our partners to continue improving our community in 2019!
