A $440,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation will initiate a program to bring about the transformation of Baltimore and Lancaster Avenues -- two viable commercial corridors adjacent to campus.
The grant, which was proposed by the members of the University City District in conjunction with three other neighborhood groups -- the Spruce Hill Community Association, the Baltimore Avenue Business Association, and the Cedar Park Community Association -- will investigate the retail needs of the community and seek to improve the attractiveness of the area businesses.
The civic minded program is right in step with the UCD's main objective, to strengthen the University City community in all aspects. Some of the past UCD programs have fostered dissension among other community leaders, who often feel that the UCD does not necessarily look to the majority of the community in the creation of their programs.
However, the latest effort by the UCD should work to the best advantage of everyone in the neighborhood. The project's concept was created by the Baltimore Avenue Business Association two years ago, and incorporation of the UCD and other community groups augments the neighborhood's input. The program's next few movements will research the needs of the businesses and community residents, further adding to their involvement.
The UCD's most recent plan is also one of its most admirable. The group has learned from past successes and failures and has created a program which has the potential to be highly effective.
The program's incentive is clear -- it will benefit the commercial districts as well as the surrounding communities. We would encourage Penn to offer assistance to the effort by its neighbors.
We applaud the University City District for their ambition and hope that they are able to involve the community and make the program a great success with the aid and consent of the University City residents.
