University City is a global city—at least, that was the theme of this year’s The State of University City address hosted by the University City District and the University of Pennsylvania.
The 2013/2014 program, held Monday afternoon at the International House Philadelphia on 37th and Chestnut Streets, focused on University City’s global reach. University of Pennsylvania Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli and Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Vice Provost of UPenn’s Global Initiatives, both discussed how their institution, as well as Drexel University and University of the Sciences, fosters an international neighborhood connection through its diverse student body and international academic, cultural and social partnerships.
In regards to the larger University City community, University City District Executive Director Matt Bergheiser pointed to recent real estate and commercial developments, cultural and community events, and the neighborhood’s shifting demographics as factors in creating “a global University City.” Each speaker, however, stressed that, while University City does impact the global community at large, people living and working in the neighborhood must continue to promote and support initiatives that are global in practice.
23 percent of University City households speak a language other than English at home.
17 percent of University City’s residents is foreign-born, five percent more than Philadelphia’s overall population.
According to Dr. Emanuel, the University of Pennsylvania has over 7,000 foreign-born students a year. Combined with Drexel University, that’s about 9,000 foreign-born students. (Dr. Emanuel noted that UPenn doesn’t do its best at integrating University City’s foreign-born residents, which he expects to change with the construction of the university’s Perry World House.)
Nearly $3.5 billion of new or recently completed real estate projects.
University City has over 72,000 jobs, with a 93 percent office occupancy rate and 89% retail occupancy rate.
About 16 academic, commercial, medical/biomedical, or residential/mixed-use properties being constructed within the next three years.
Average property values have tripled since 2000, from over $100,000 to over $300,000 in 2012.
Cost of living in University City is 28 percent lower than Center City.
The number of 20- to 34-year-olds living in University City has increased by 21 percent between 2000 and 2010, with 20- to 24-year-olds making up the highest number of residents.
Racially, the population breaks down as follows: 25 percent Black or African-American, 20 percent Asian, and 50 percent White.
In 2012, rate of serious crimes in University City was down 50 percent since 1998, compared to just under 25 percent for the city overall.
Between 1998 and 2012, University City experienced a -44 percent change in rate of violent crime per 1,000 residents, compared to a -16 percent change in the City of Philadelphia. Continue Reading
40th Street Summer Series, the free family-friendly outdoor concerts on the green space behind the Walnut West Library at 40th and Walnut are coming back again this year, thanks to University City District, Penn, and The Rotunda. This year, the series has expanded to five concerts with the following dates: on May 25, June 29, July 27, Aug 31, and Sept 28. The performers list is great, as always, including Philadelphia Ukulele Orchestra, Spaceship Aloha, Millennial Territory Orchestra and more.
This Saturday prepare to dance, shake, sweat and even whirl when Brooklyn Qawwali Party kicks off the series. This 11-piece brass band from NYC performs 700-year-old Pakistani Sufi music in a “thunderous” manner (see video below). “Funky, smart, and loving, BQP captures the joyful spirit of this Pakistani folk music in a unique instrumental blend of jazz and Qawwali. It’s a good time, it’s from the heart, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard,” according to the event’s website.
All Summer Series concerts begin at 6 p.m. and also feature Give and Take jugglers, fire artists, face painting, and balloon art that your kids will love.
Here’s a great opportunity for gardeners to get free compost and check out West Philly’s Dirt Factory. The Dirt Factory, which opened almost a year ago at 4308 Market Street, is inviting neighbors to Dirt Day on Saturday, May 18 where you can receive free compost created at the facility from waste contributed by local residents, attend free workshops and tour the facility. In addition, there will be free food from West Philly businesses, plantables, and even free buckets for collecting your compostable waste. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and here’s the workshop schedule:
11 a.m. – noon: Making Your Own Compost featuring Christine Tilles, Penn State Extension Educator
1-2 p.m.: Vegetable Gardening with Compost featuring Jessica Herwick, Penn State Extension Master Gardener
Everyone can take home up to 10 gallons of compost for free at tomorrow’s event, and while there, take a tour of The Dirt Factory to learn how the compost was made. Attendees are requested to RSVP at compost@universitycity.org
Reminder: The Dirt Factory is open for compostable waste drop-off from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information go to: universitycity.org/dirt-factory
If you live in the University City area, your participation is requested for Penn’s 2013 Retail Market Survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services. The survey has received a lot of responses from students and staff, but more input is sought from neighborhood residents.
The survey is designed to gather ideas and opinions for a new retail real estate master plan – information you share will be used to “evaluate retail opportunities on and off campus and plan for future needs.” Just to clarify, the survey’s interest is retail businesses on Penn property, a sliver of the University City District. “We’re hoping some UCD residents utilize the Penn retail offerings as well,” says senior research associate Abbey Becker.
To access the survey please follow this link. Respondents who provide their email address will be entered in a drawing to win a gift certificate from a Penn merchant. NOTE: The survey closes after this Friday (March 15).
Crime dropped in the University City District (The Schuylkill River to 50th Street, Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue) last year in comparison to 2011, according to a report issued this week. Specifically, this concerns such crimes as unarmed robberies (down by 30%), aggravated assaults (down by 35%), and residential burglaries (down by 36%).
One area though is a cause for concern – the number of auto thefts dramatically increased in 2012 – by 43%, from 100 to approximately 150 incidents. The UCD is asking residents and visitors to “use common sense when parking or leaving your car for the night” and “make sure you lock up and remove any valuable objects from plain sight.”
Other serious crimes, like armed robberies and thefts from automobiles have slightly decreased (by 6% and 9% respectively). There are still about 100 robberies with a gun per year and almost 250 thefts from cars in the neighborhood (see photo below).
In January, 2013, 18 serious crimes were committed within the University City District boundaries (see the map) and three related arrests have been made, according to the report.
To sign up for UCD’s monthly Crime Update please email: mark@universitycity.org
A neighbor, Vinicio Guevara, snapped this photo last Sunday, at the corner of 44th and Spruce. One of the windows was smashed and a stereo was stolen from this car.
The University City District and VIX Emporium are teaming up to bring a new cool event to West Philly. The inaugural 30th Street Craft Market is happening Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and we wanted to let you know more about the participants. It’s an impressive list of super talented artists and crafts people from all around Philly who will offer unique, handmade items such as jewelry, pottery, cards & prints, knits, glassware, natural soaps & body care supplies, children’s items and more. Here’s the full list of participants (you can see their profiles here).
Art Star
As The Crow Flies & Co.
The Captain’s Vintage
Dop Dop Designs
exit343design
J4 WoodWorks
Jen McCleary Art & Design
joeyfivecents
Ken Beidler Ceramics
Krista Peel
The Lettered Set
Lindsay Gilbert Glass
Malachy Egan
Manic Muse
Mellifera Candles
Nice Things Handmade
Nicole Rae Styer
Old Blood
Phea Jean
Precious Meshes
Punk RocKnits
Rachelink
Sardine Clothing
Seampoets
Stitch Prism
Suzanne Francis
Tadpole Creations
Threet Ceramics
Volta Organics
VIX Emporium
Wrong World Ceramics
The market will take place indoors, at the 30th Street Station (that’s something unusual for America’s third busiest train station!), so you don’t have to worry about the cold weather and can spend more time shopping.
University City is a global city—at least, that was the theme of this year’s The State of University City address hosted by the University City District and the University of Pennsylvania.
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