The University City District (UCD) has released its annual State of University City report, which highlights different areas of development in the area in the past year, including real estate, employment, demographics, education, healthcare, transportation and more. During the presentation of the report on Thursday, UCD shared the stories of three innovative neighborhood businesses: Renata’s Kitchen, Two Locals Brewing, and Grant BLVD (check out this video).

Here are some most interesting stats from the 2024 State of University City report:

• University City has 55,953 residents, whose median age is 27.6;

• 84 percent of neighborhood residents work in University City, and 72 percent of jobs pay over $40,000 per year;

• 63 percent of residents ages 25+ have a bachelor’s degree or higher;

• The median single family home sale price is $537,000;

• 4,210 units of multi-family housing (apartments) are expected to be developed in the next three years;

• 929 new units of multi-family housing were developed in the past year;

• The number of new construction permits has decreased from 50 to a little over 10 since 2018.

• 57 percent of neighborhood residents do not use cars to commute;

• 24 percent of households’ primary language is not English.

To download the new report, click here. Read about some previous reports in our archives here.

Here’s an update on the proposed redesign of 47th and 48th streets south of Market that was presented in the past six months at a series of community meetings attended by hundreds of neighbors. The City is moving on with the 48th Street repaving project and has put the 47th Street layout redesign and repaving on hold, according to the Garden Court Community Association newsletter.

The 48th Street redesign will run from Kingsessing Avenue to Market Street. The plan incorporates traffic calming measures and greener travel options, proposed by the City and supported by neighborhood residents and neighborhood community groups.

“Under this design, 48th Street would remain a two-way street with parking on both sides, but its excess width would be re-organized to create substantially shorter crosswalks and a northbound bicycle lane fully separated from vehicular traffic,” according to the newsletter.

Repaving of 48th Street is expected to take place this spring.

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The University of Pennsylvania has cleared the way to build a brand new performing arts center near 33rd and Chestnut, according to reports. Zoning permits were recently issued for construction of the six-story building, which will include a 300-seat theater, rehearsal space and other facilities.

The new modern performance center will be built on the green space at the intersection of 33rd St. and Woodlands Walk. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. More details and rendering images are available on the Naked Philly website.

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A community-based committee tasked with brainstorming ideas for the Saint Joseph’s University (formerly USciences) campus near the south end of Clark Park and other buildings scattered nearby presented initial ideas to the Spruce Hill Community Association last night.

St. Joe’s hopes to sell the entire campus, including stand-alone residential buildings dotting the nearby neighborhood, to a single developer in a process that will likely take years to complete. For nearby residents, that process began last fall, when the university agreed to fund a “community advisory committee” made up of representatives of local community groups – including Friends of Clark Park, neighborhood associations and residents from the West Shore neighborhood.

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Community members are invited to a monthly Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) Board meeting this Tuesday, Feb. 13. There will be two main guest speakers at the meeting:

Representatives from St. Joseph’s University, which acquired the former USciences campus in 2022, will discuss their development plans in the area.

Also, representatives from Constant Springs Consulting will provide updates about the Historical District application process. Since last year, SHCA have been working on this application and even started a community fundraiser. If Spruce Hill is recognized by the City as a historic district it would provide an added layer of protection of historic structures amid a building boom in the area. Designation could also regulate exterior changes to existing buildings like masonry and window replacement.

The meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. will be in person for SHCA Board members and guest speakers. Community members are invited to attend the meeting virtually via Zoom. Click here to download the meeting agenda which includes a Zoom link.

A “traffic calming” proposal to be considered at a city meeting at Saint Francis de Sales Church on Wednesday includes the option to convert 47th Street into a one-way street.

The City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS), in cooperation with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s Office, have been working with community leaders on traffic calming solutions for 47th and 48th Streets for the last couple of years.

This Wednesday, Feb. 7, the City is hosting an open house meeting where neighborhood residents have a chance to learn more about recommended new designs for 47th and 48th streets between Market Street and Kingsessing Avenue. The meeting will also discuss next steps for 47th Street south of Kingsessing Avenue.

Two new street layout options are being proposed:

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