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University City

    • What 8th and Race Street, near Franklin Square, could look like

Central, University/Southwest district plans adopted

Philadelphia now has long-range plans for future development within the Central and University/Southwest districts. The city planning commission adopted both comprehensive plans at its Tuesday (June 11) meeting. From now on,…

    • Chestnut Street at 30th Street facing West After

Drexel, Amtrak to study expanding university and other development over rail yard airspace

Could people live, work and study in structures built over the SEPTA and AMTRAK rail yards near 30th Street Station? Drexel University and Amtrak are launching a feasibility study to find…

    • Baltimore Crossing at 48th Street and Baltimore Ave

University City District creates new Baltimore Crossing pedestrian plaza

Head west on Baltimore Ave from Clark Park and the greenery continues up the street. At several intersections along that route, planted islands liven up what could otherwise be vast expanses…

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ABOUT UNIVERSITY CITY

University City is a neighborhood in West Philadelphia. This area’s boundaries consist of the Schuylkill River to the east, as far as 44th Street to the west, Powelton Avenue to the north, and again the Schuylkill River to the south. The neighborhood gets its name from the multitude of universities that reside within its borders: the University of Pennsylvania, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Drexel University, and more. The area was originally the oldest suburb of Philadelphia, known as Blockley Township, as named in 1677 by its purchaser, William Warner. The area had a poor reputation in the 19th century, known as a dangerous place where criminals and ne’er-do-wells lived. This neighborhood grew more developed towards the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, but many structures within its boundaries became dilapidated and uninhabitable. In the 1960s, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University worked together with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and used government funding to improve the area by removing these unsound structures. The plan was known as University City, which gives the area its current name. However, during this process, the University of Pennsylvania demolished too many valuable structures. The University now is expanding in a more deliberate and community conscious manner. Today the area is thriving with its younger, multiracial population and numerous cultural attractions.


RESOURCES

University City District

University City Historical Society

Executive Director Lewis Wendell to leave University City District in June 2009

Wikipedia on University City

The Palestra
Website:www.pennathletics.com

UPCOMING EVENTS IN UNIVERSITY CITY

There are no upcoming events in this neighborhood. Feel free to contact us with your contributions.

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