University City District Receives $113,000 for Corridor Revitalization Projects

University City District Receives $113,000 for Corridor Revitalization Projects
City of Philadelphia’s ReStore Philadelphia Corridors Fund awards UCD $75,000 for greening on Baltimore Avenue and $38,000 for a computerized information system

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Christman, Communications Manager, 215-243-0555 or mark@ucityphila.org

(Philadelphia, PA) – University City District (UCD) recently received funding totaling $113,000 for two special West Philadelphia commercial corridor projects from the City of Philadelphia’s ReStore Philadelphia Corridors Fund.  The goal of this city initiative is to transform neighborhood commercial corridors and re-establish their historic roles as central places to shop, to work and to meet neighbors.  The City awarded UCD $75,000 for greening and beautification of Baltimore Avenue’s 47th Street traffic triangle, and $38,000 for Corridor Incident Management System (CIMS), a computer-based system for tracking the physical condition of buildings to inform UCD’s public space maintenance efforts.

Over the past few years, UCD has transformed the traffic triangles at both 45th and 46th Street on Baltimore Avenue from bleak concrete to oases of flowers and greenery, improving their appearance as well as their functionality for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.  Similarly, this new funding – along with UCD’s partnership with the Philadelphia Horticultural Society – will assure another dramatic improvement along Baltimore Avenue along a heavily trafficked area served by popular destinations such as Vietnam Café, Dahlak Ethiopian Restaurant, Vientiane Café and Calvary Center for Culture and Community, all of which draw visitors from throughout the region.

Since 1997, UCD has tracked the physical condition of buildings and infrastructure in the neighborhood to guide public space maintenance efforts, track UCD’s investments, and suggest areas for further improvement.  UCD developed Corridor Incident Management System (CIMS) to standardize captured data and track the condition of 37 types of street assets – from ATMs to tree pits.  Until now, the information derived from CIMS was input by hand, but a new computer-based system will ease data collection and automate upload, making the system more efficient while minimizing error.  Ultimately, CIMS will help UCD detect and resolve problems on the commercial corridors more rapidly because reliable information will be provided directly to the right person at the right agency, such as L&I or the Streets Department.

UCD’s Executive Director Matthew Bergheiser added that, “UCD is grateful for this support which will continue the district’s momentum, especially along our commercial corridors.  It facilitates improvement of University City’s amenities and landscape which contribute to both the perception and the reality of a safe, pedestrian-friendly and inviting neighborhood.”

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