University City District

Changes to S. 47th Street Now in Effect - University City District After extensive research and surveying, the City has changed the direction of 47th Street between Kingsessing and Chestnut to now flow northbound for vehicles and southbound for bicyclists

Don't be caught by surprise! The City is in the process of converting S. 47th Street between Kingsessing and Chestnut into a one-way thoroughfare that will flow north for vehicles and south for bicyclists via a new protected bike lane. Read more: www.universitycity.org/news/changes...

The Target Foundation Commits Additional $75,000 for More Improvements at Walnut Hill Playground - University City District The Target Foundation commits $150,000 in funding to support upgrades coming to West Philadelphia's Walnut Hill Playground

Our sincere thanks to Target for committing an additional $75,000 toward our collaborative efforts to bring improvements to the Walnut Hill community playground: www.universitycity.org/news/the-tar...

SEPTA Lancaster Avenue Track Renewal Project Construction Beginning August 11th, 2025 - University City District SEPTA will close portions of 42nd Street in West Philadelphia for a track renewal project running from March of 2025 through May 31st.

A trolley track renewal project begins August 11th and will impact portions of Lancaster Avenue through September 13th www.universitycity.org/news/septa-l...

SEPTA crews tackling critical track, power, and signal maintenance, replacing worn track & overheard contact wire, clearing drains, cleaning platforms, removing graffiti, painting, & performing lighting upgrades as part of the 2025 Trolley Tunnel Closure, which concludes August 11th.

What you need to know about the city work stoppage | Department of Commerce What you need to know about the city work stoppage

Read about when City services will resume now that the work stoppage is over, including trash and recycling collections resuming next Monday, July 14th: www.phila.gov/2025-07-01-w...

This fall, Kabobeesh and its fast casual sister establishment Karak Cha House will relocate to 3748 Lancaster Avenue on the ground floor of the new Triad Apartments. The move will increase the size of the restaurant by 75% with room for 70 guests. 
 
www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...

“[Lurie] went looking through the United States and in Europe for what he called a 'scientific epicenter' with enough heft to make a difference in autism research. He found what he was looking for in University City." 🔬🦅

The State of University City 2025 - University City District On Tuesday, May 22nd, University City District released their annual State of University City report and shared insights about the neighborhood.

Last evening we held our annual State of University City event. Read a recap and download our State of University City 2025 publication here: www.universitycity.org/news/the-sta...

2025 Primary Election Guide – May 20, 2025 | Office of the City Commissioners Key information and resources for the Primary Election on May, 20, 2025 from the Philadelphia City Commissioners

Today is Election Day! See what’s at stake, check your status, and find your polling place here! www.phila.gov/2025-04-30-2...

Groundbreaking Marks New Chapter for Walnut Hill Playground - University City District Local leaders and community stakeholders recently celebrated the groundbreaking for improvements to the Walnut Hill playground, made possible with a gift from the Target Foundation.

Earlier this week we were joined by local stakeholders, elected officials, and neighbors for an official groundbreaking for upcoming improvements to the Walnut Hill Playground. Read more about how a $75,000 gift from @Target Foundation fueled this work:
 
www.universitycity.org/news/groundb...

UCD Analysis: SEPTA's Proposed Service Cuts Would be Devastating to University City - University City District A University City District analysis finds that the proposed SEPTA service cuts would have a devastating impact on quality of life in University City, Philadelphia.

We've analyzed how @septaphilly.bsky.social’s proposed service cuts would impact traffic and travel within University City, and our findings speak to the vital importance of a comprehensive transit network for those who work, live, or visit our neighborhood: www.universitycity.org/news/ucd-ana...

Today, members of our staff celebrated Earth Day by planting over 1,000 plants at Trolley Portal Gardens! Our thanks to the UCD, Skills Initiative, Green City Works, and Green Team staff for coming out and helping with this beautification project.

It must truly be spring! Daffodils have sprung up at The Porch at 30th. Stop by and smell the flowers! 🌺 🌼

SEPTA 42nd Street Track Renewal Project Kicking off 4/1/25 - University City District SEPTA will close portions of 42nd Street in West Philadelphia for a track renewal project running from March of 2025 through May 31st.

SEPTA has adjusted the timeline for their upcoming track renewal work on 42nd Street. The project will now launch on April 1st and continue through June 13th, 2025. Read more details about what to expect, including temporary road closures: www.universitycity.org/news/septa-4...

City Announces Bridge Lane Closures on Upper Spring Garden Bridge for Work on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Bridge Rehabilitation Project | Department of Streets A single lane closure of the Upper Spring Garden Street Bridge will occur overnight 9PM and 5AM starting Monday, March 24th through the next

🚨Traffic disruption 🚨 The City has announced that starting tonight, the Upper Spring Garden Bridge will be reduced to one lane during nighttime hours between 9:00PM and 5:00AM and running through the next two weeks, on weekdays only. Read more: www.phila.gov/2025-03-22-u...

University City District Explore University City in West Philadelphia and learn how University City District serves the community through signature events, the Skills Initiative, cleaning and public safety services, supportin...

Check out the new universitycity.org! We’ve launched a revamped, responsive, and really beautiful new online home for all things UCD and University City.

The Walnut Hill Community Association recently received a grant to make improvements to the playground at 47th and Sansom Streets and are seeking community input on what parts of the playground’s improvement are most important for users. Weigh in here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

We're proud to share we’ve secured $250,000 in Local Share Account Statewide funding thanks to support from local elected officials including Rep. Rick Krajewski’s office.

Our thanks to the Philadelphia Business Journal for covering the latest updates on our ambitious West Philly Waterfront project: www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...

This evening, our friends at SEPTA will hold an Open House at Tilden Middle School (6601 Elmwood Ave) to discuss changes to Trolley Route 36 [T5] from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Scan the QR code to learn more!

Our clean and safe teams are out ensuring those coming into Philadelphia to celebrate the Eagles today have a fun and safe time.

A long-planned food hall will open this fall at Schuylkill Yards in University City Gather Food Hall & Bar is due to open this fall with six still-to-be-named vendors and an upscale bar at the Bulletin Building across from 30th Street Station.

This is a perfect time to add new food and beverage amenities to the area directly adjacent to 30th Street Station! We're very excited to see this project moving forward. www.inquirer.com/food/restaur...

Malcolm X Park - Playground Design This survey will close on February 9th - Please share with your neighbors! At the first community meeting in December, we discussed the new park improvements coming to Malcolm X Park in Fall 2025. Alo...

Malcolm X Park is seeking feedback on designs for a new playground. Take this brief survey to share your thoughts before February 9th:  docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

University City District 2024 Annual Review University City District's Annual Review highlights UCD's impact on West Philadelphia through clean and safe services, events, small business help, and more.

Our 2024 Annual Review is live! 🎉 Explore our interactive website & learn about our impact—from our Clean & Safe initiatives & hosting signature events, to supporting small businesses & connecting residents with life-changing careers. Catch up here! 👉 www.ucdannualreview.com

Family-friendly and children-oriented Black History Month events We put together a list of family-friendly events to celebrate Black History Month. Here are some events and things you can do all month long.

Philly celebrates Black history year-round, but Black History Month offers special opportunities for celebration and amplification. Check out our list of events across the city that focus on family-friendly fun and learning for all ages.

Drexel University has tapped its next president.

Political economist Antonio Merlo formerly worked at the University of Pennsylvania and currently serves as a dean at New York University.

🔗 inquirer.com/education/dr...

Looking for volunteering opportunities for MLK Day? Check out this list of activities: volunteer.globalcitizen365.org/kingday

Sharing Three New Grants for the Skills Initiative Our work at The Skills Initiative would not be possible without the support of generous funders and supporters. Below, read details about three grants we received at the end of 2024. We are grateful t...

We closed out 2024 with three impactful grants for The Skills Initiative. Read more about gifts from Chappell-Culpeper, the Lincoln Financial Foundation, and the PA Department of Labor and Industry: www.universitycity.org/blog/sharing...

University City-Based Verismo Therapeutics Acquired by HLB Group of South Korea Penn spinout Verismo Therapeutics is being acquired by HLB Group of South Korea, which already owns an almost 50 percent stake in the firm.

The acquisition will accelerate Verismo's clinical development of its lead drugs, which are in early stage Phase 1 clinical testing. philadelphia.today/2025/01/veri...

Innovation news! Penn spinout Verismo, which is developing experimental therapies to treat solid tumors and blood cancers, has been acquired by HLB Group of South Korea.