U. City graded on citywide impact

The University City District published on Friday its first annual review of University City's cultural and economic impact on the Philadelphia region. The University City report card provided detailed information about the area's employment, commercial development, population, housing, transportation and entertainment. "We needed to define University City to a broader audience," UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke said. "This is a neighborhood that is frequently misunderstood." According to Steinke, the demographic profile is consistent with the UCD's mission to improve University City -- the area located on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, directly adjacent to Center City. "[The report] is also a tool for potential new business people interested in setting up shop in University City," he said. The profile helped quantify the diversity of University City, in terms of race, income, educational attainment and age. "University City as a micro-neighborhood is very diverse. Philadelphia as a macro-city is very diverse," Steinke said. "But very few neighborhoods in and of themselves are diverse." About 40 percent of University City's 40,136 residents are white, 45 percent are African American and 15 percent are Asian or Pacific Islander. The national census lists the country's racial profile as approximately 78 percent, 13 percent, and 4 percent, respectively. Eric Goldstein, UCD's director of capital projects, said that University City's high student population tends to lower overall income levels. "It does skew the demographics," Goldstein said. "They have a lower income, but a high disposable income." Over half of University City residents are between the ages of 18 and 39, according to the demographic study. The report emphasized that the majority of employees are in two sectors -- education and health services. The industries claim 80 percent of all University City employees. "There is relatively little business in other sectors," Steinke said. "We hope this will change as the image of University City improves and more people want to come here." According to Steinke, the central impact of the University and the University of Pennsylvania Health System are a reflection of a national economic trend in areas surrounding major universities. The UCD also reported the results of an annual public perception survey of students, people who work in University City and people on the street that was conducted in April and May of last year. "Clearly people feel safer and believe that the neighborhood is cleaner than before," Steinke said. Steinke points to the increase in property worth and the proliferation of local businesses as proof. The average home sale price in University City increased 35 percent from 1995 to 2000, according to the report. Also, over $1 million is currently being invested in development projects in University City. Penn's impact on University City is paramount, with total direct spending by Penn students and visitors totalling $146 million per year. The University is also the largest private sector employer in the City of Philadelphia. Philadelphia's municipal government is the area's largest employer.