PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

Mantua residents—half comprised of an overwhelming number of neighborhood teens—packed the Cloister Building in West Philadelphia to hear skateboard park funding group Franklin's Paine's plans to convert a Mt. Vernon St. playground into a skater's paradise.

Read more at University City Review.

UC Review: L&I Sweep of Baltimore Ave announced

Last Thursday, the UC Review launched its radio show on WPEB, 88.1 last Thursday, May 6th at 8:00 a.m. Featuring Editor Robert Christian and Staff Reporter Nicole Contosta, the weekly program aims to keep West Philadelphia residents in touch with pertinent issues and events.

Joe McNulty, the Commercial Corridors Manager for the University City District joined them to announce an L&I sweep of Baltimore Ave from 40th through 52nd Street starting the week of June 14th. An inspector will visit every business to make sure that it has the proper licenses and zoning, said McNulty. As the conversation unfolded, McNulty explained that some of the most pressing concerns facing those businesses along Baltimore Ave include making sure owners have an up to date privilege license and other applicable licenses such as for liquor. Also, is not currently legal for a business to provide outdoor seating unless it is in the bounds of that property, added McNulty. 

In an effort to help business owners along Baltimore Ave prepare for the upcoming inspection, McNulty has asked an inspector to come to the next Baltimore Ave Business Association Meeting on June 1st.

Note: The UCD is in no way involved with the L&I Sweep, it would simply like to help businesses prepare for it so the Avenue can maintain its vitality.

As of press time, a specific time and location has not been determined for the June 1st meeting…but stay tuned to the UC Review for further details.

The University City Review’s weekly program airs every Thursday morning between 8:00-9:00 a.m. on WPEB, 88.1. To call the us while we are on the air: 215-472-0882.

On Monday, May 17th, Livable Communities Task Force Members Earl Blumenauer and Allyson Y. Schwartz will join Penn Design School’s Penn Praxis and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for a panel discussion on how we can ensure that livability is a priority for Philadelphia. The panel will be moderated by Harris M. Steinberg, FAIA of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. 

Panelists:

• Alan Greenberger, Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning, Economic Development, and Director of Commerce, will provide the city's perspective.
• John Gattuso of Liberty Property Trust will offer the perspective of the private developer.
• Shawn McCaney of the William Penn Foundation will provide the philanthropic perspective.
• Tony Sorrentino of the University of Pennsylvania will provide the institutional perspective.

RSVP here

Location: 
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Time: 
7:00 to 7:30, reception
7:30 to 9:00, program

Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Portland co-chairs the Livable Communities Task Force. From 1996 to 2007, he served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he was a strong advocate for federal policies that address transportation alternatives, provide housing choices, support sustainable economies and improve the environment. 

click here for more information on the Livable Communities Task Force

sponsored by Penn Praxis, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer

GRID Philly, May 2010

GRID magazine is a new Philadelphia-based magazine for sustainability. Covering topics such as energy, food, shelter, transportation, ecology and culture.

Sustainable Communities Initiatives - West Philadelphia, May 2010

The Sustainable Communities Initiative in West Philadelphia (SCI-West), a new integrated and collaborative model for community development started by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), focuses on creating whole communities: safe places where attractive and valued real estate merge with employable, educated, healthy residents who generate enough income to care for themselves and their families. The strategy consists of a five-pronged approach that is guided by the needs and conditions of the targeted neighborhoods.

Spring News from PEC

The People's Emergency Center in West Philadelphia works to nurture families, strengthen neighborhoods, and drive change. They provide comprehensive supportive services to homeless women and their children, revitalize our West Philadelphia neighborhood, and advocate for social justice.

Next Great City Newsletter, 17 May 2010

The Next Great City coalition is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The initiative is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

Citizens Business, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and analysis of the region's resources and challenges with the goal of promoting sound public policy and increasing the region's prosperity.

Next Great City Newsletter, 3 May 2010

The Next Great City coalition is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The initiative is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

University City Community Enews, 12 May 2010

Click here to read the community newsletter from the University City District, which includes updates on free events and workshops across the neighborhood.

Green Jobs Philly News #19, May 2010

GreenJobsPhilly.org makes it easy for Philadelphians to offer and request GREEN JOBS, green GRANTS and green LOANS.  Our job is to help you connect with the people, money, raw materials and know-how you’ll need.

GRID Magazine: Party Post-Op, the Food Issue, Griddle updates, and more!

GRID magazine is a new Philadelphia-based magazine for sustainability. Covering topics such as energy, food, shelter, transportation, ecology and culture.

Preservation Alliance e-news, April 2010

The mission of the Preservation Alliance is to actively promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes.

Hidden City Philadelphia, 23 April 2010

Hidden City Hits a Triple - We've Received Three Local Awards!

Next Great City Newsletter, 19 April 2010

The Next Great City coalition is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The initiative is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

Citizens Business, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and analysis of the region's resources and challenges with the goal of promoting sound public policy and increasing the region's prosperity.

Green Jobs Philly News #18, April 2010

GreenJobsPhilly.org makes it easy for Philadelphians to offer and request GREEN JOBS, green GRANTS and green LOANS.  Our job is to help you connect with the people, money, raw materials and know-how you’ll need.

Fairmount CDC Newsletter, April 2010

The monthly newsletter from Fairmount Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)3 organization, is to foster the improvement of the residential, commercial and social fabric of the Fairmount neighborhood, while preserving its character & diversity.

Next Great City Newsletter, 5 April 2010

The Next Great City coalition is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The initiative is dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

University City Community Enews, 14 April 2010

Click here to read the community newsletter from the University City District, which includes updates on free events and workshops across the neighborhood.

John A. Fry Named Drexel University's 14th President

Drexel University's Board of Trustees named John A. Fry as the University's 14th president after a unanimous vote, announced Chairman Richard A. Greenawalt. Fry is currently president of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. and a former University of Pennsylvania executive. He will begin his tenure at Drexel on August 1.

“John Fry's entrepreneurial spirit, practical experience and strong sense of vision and leadership mirror Drexel's core values and are essential in continuing the University's upward trajectory,” said Greenawalt. “His impressive record of success at both Franklin & Marshall and the University of Pennsylvania will help seamlessly position Drexel for the future. On behalf of the Drexel Board of Trustees, students, faculty and staff, I welcome John to Drexel and extend our deepest gratitude to Chuck Pennoni for his tireless efforts in serving this great institution as interim president."

Drexel Opens Newest Market Street Landmark: A Recreation Center Complex

New facility boasts “green” features

Drexel opened the doors this month to its new Recreation Center designed to become the epicenter of student wellness at the University. The 84,000-square-foot-facility wraps around Drexel’s existing 156,000-square-foot Daskalakis Athletic Center (DAC) and connects to it. The eco-friendly, three-story structure completely transforms the landscape on Market Street between 33rd and 34th Streets. The facility boasts a number of green features, including a system that maintains storm-water flows by collecting rain water into a 36,000-gallon underground cistern. Gym-goers produce energy to power a sign that will read “Drexel Dragons” when working out on any of the 12 elliptical machines that use ReRev technology to convert kinetic energy into electricity. A standard 30-minute workout on an elliptical can produce up to 50 watts of clean, carbon-free energy. The new Recreation Center houses a 13,000-square-foot multipurpose gym, 0.10 mile walking/jogging track, 17,000-square-foot weight and fitness area, two squash courts with a viewing area and spectator seating, two group exercise rooms featuring aerobic flooring, an expansive public lobby and athletics gallery and a rock-climbing wall.