University City District 2016 Annual Review: Breaking New Ground
University City District 2016 Annual Review: Breaking New Ground
A Letter from UCD’s President
When the team at University City District reflects back on a year of progress, we don’t typically begin by reminiscing about a visit from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. But that’s the kind of groundbreaking year UCD had in 2016. We had our challenges, to be sure; investing in people and places is a journey that includes many detours. But this past year saw breakthroughs on many fronts: transformational civic infrastructure projects coming to fruition; new and powerful approaches to economic opportunity; and an acceleration of UCD’s foundational work in community-building and stewardship.
Along the way, we were honored and humbled by affirmations of our work, both regionally and nationally. Chair Yellen’s visit to learn about our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative model was an inspiration to both staff and program participants, as was being selected by Bank of America as the 2016 Philadelphia market recipient of its coveted Neighborhood Builders Award for high-impact nonprofits. On many fronts, 2016 was a banner year for University City District, and I’m excited to share our work and the ways in which we broke ground on the pages that follow.
Sincerely,
Matt Bergheiser President University City District
Innovative Placemaking
We continued our commitment to developing and reactivating public spaces throughout the district in 2016. Most notably, we were joined by Mayor Jim Kenney and other key stakeholders to break ground on Trolley Portal Gardens, a $4.5 million project which will create a vibrant public space and restaurant in the busiest at-grade rail station in the city. We expanded our pedestrian plaza program, continued investing in The Porch at 30th Street Station, and introduced initiatives like an innovative plant installation inside 30th Street Station, bus seats throughout the neighborhood, and a hanging garden along Schuylkill Avenue.
Connecting Local Talent to Job Opportunities
2016 proved a banner year for UCD’s nationally recognized West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) program, which connects unemployed Philadelphians seeking opportunity with West Philadelphia employers seeking talent. WPSI moved to a new facility that allows us to dramatically increase our capacity to serve jobseekers and employers, and we set a record for the number of participants served. We also celebrated the five year anniversary of the Skills Initiative with an event honoring partners, funders, and graduates.
A Cutting Edge Social Venture
This past year, we launched our landscaping social venture, Green City Works. This in-house, full-service company employs local community members in good, stable jobs. In its first year of operation, Green City Works secured contracts with more than a dozen leading University City institutions and businesses, allowing us to maintain nearly 1 million square feet of green space while landscaping and stewarding our own heralded public space projects throughout the district.
Community Building
Our beloved signature neighborhood events, including the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll and Movies in Clark Park, set records for attendance as we brought the community together and activated public spaces. We engaged neighbors in the development of our plans for the Trolley Portal Gardens, and continued our core work of serving the community through our Clean and Safe programs.
Reactivating Eastern University City
In the same year we celebrated the five year anniversary of The Porch at 30th Street Station, we doubled down on our efforts to strengthen the connection between Center City and our district through public space improvements and pedestrian enhancements in Eastern University City. In advance of the DNC, we partnered with Amtrak on Amtrak Gardens, a living wall installation inside 30th Street Station, and collaborated with SHIFTSPACE Design on Schuylkill Gardens, a custom hanging garden adjacent to the river on Schuylkill Avenue between Market and Chestnut Streets.
Combining Skills Training and Community
This summer we piloted a new program called Community Porch Revitalization (CPR). This project married the work of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative with Project Rehab, our innovative program that assists homeowners in restoring their properties to useful life. A cohort of formerly unemployed West Philadelphians received entry level carpentry and safety training, and then used those skills to rebuild a dilapidated porch for a neighbor who received assistance from Project Rehab. CPR was the first step in a broader strategy to connect West Philadelphians with employment in the building industry, which will continue to drive economic growth in the district.
New Friendships
Our work in 2016 allowed us to forge new, exciting relationships with key local and national policy makers. Janet Yellen, Chair of the Federal Reserve, visited the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative to learn about our cutting-edge approach and meet with graduates for a roundtable discussion. Senator Bob Casey joined us and our Green City Works crew for the installation of the living gardens inside 30th Street Station. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney helped us break ground on Trolley Portal Gardens. We were honored by the opportunity to collaborate with such distinguished allies and look forward to building additional relationships in the future.
Innovative data analysis is a staple of UCD’s work, and in 2016, we expanded our use of data in several key areas. We used an incident management system to deploy our safety ambassadors more efficiently throughout the neighborhood in order to address crime risks before they occurred. We also studied local traffic data in an effort to aid transportation decisions by partners at SEPTA and the City that impact drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Gaining National and Regional Reach
This past year, we shared our approach to community and economic development on a wide scale. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s visit garnered attention for the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative in publications including The New York Times, Bloomberg, and elsewhere. Our publication of The Porch at 30th Street Station: 5 Years, 5 Lessons was highlighted by local and national stakeholders dedicated to placemaking. We also presented our approaches to economic opportunity, transportation, public space and more at major conferences throughout the US and Canada. We look forward to expanding our reach in the months and years to come.
“If BIDs want to create livable and vital cities and neighborhoods, then an all-in strategy to leverage relationships for inclusive opportunity seems essential.”
written by Matt Bergheiser, UCD
“There’s something beautiful about transformation of self through the transformation of public space, and the notion isn’t lost on folks at Green City Works.”
“University City District, along with SEPTA, city officials, developers and neighborhood residents, broke ground on the Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th Street and Baltimore Avenue to great fanfare on Tuesday.”
“The percentage of [WPSI participants] finding jobs has climbed steadily over the last five years to about 95 percent, and demand from potential employers now exceeds the supply of workers the program can offer.”
The Porch AT 30 TH STREET STATION Years, Lessons
“After her speech, Yellen met in a roundtable with training participants and graduates at the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, a program that connects local residents with job opportunities in the area.”
“[Green City Works has] committed to offering employees good wages, full-time positions, and advancement opportunities.”
written by Matt Bergheiser, UCD
Thank You to Our Donors!
$500,001 and Up
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Drexel University
Pew Charitable Trusts
$101,000 - $500,000
The Lenfest Foundation
Job Opportunity Investment Network
Bank of America Foundation
University City Science Center
Campus Apartments
Brandywine Realty Trust
Philadelphia LISC
University City Associates
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
University of the Sciences Anonymous
$25,001 - $100,000
Citizens Bank
HCP
INTECH Construction
National Board of Medical Examiners
Pennoni Associates
United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey
$5,001 - $25,000
3737 Chestnut Apartments
40th Street Promenade, LP
Allied Universal
Central City Toyota
IBID Associates
International House
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Miller Investment Management, LP
Neighborhood Preservation & Development
New Age Realty Group, Inc.
Patricia Kind Family Foundation
Post Brothers Apartments
SP Plus Corporation
The Barra Foundation
The Restaurant School
The Wistar Institute
T-Mobile
Wells Fargo Foundation
$1,001 - $5,000
American Law Institute
C.L. Presser Company
Connelly Foundation
Elizabeth Baumann
First Round Capital
Has Investments Partners, LLP
Ignition | Havas Sports & Entertainment
Inspire Energy
Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branz
Margo
New Horizon West LLP
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
Philadelphia Suburban Development
Posel Enterprises
Robert Schoepe
Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
Southern Wine & Spirits of PA
U3 Ventures
University Enterprises
University Pin Ball
Verizon
WE
Wexford Science & Technology
William Schoepe
$250-$1,000
ABM
AIMCO
AKA University City Hotel & Luxury
Apartments
American Picture Framing
Arlene Caney
Arthur Staddon and Marcia Robb
ArtPlace America
Bobby’s Burger Palace
Charles Buchholtz
Charles Haub Jr.
Chester Avenue Dog Association
Clarkville
Copabanana
Coville Anderson
Craig Carnaroli
Curio Theatre Company
David Mandell
Lawrence Motyka and Elizabeth Campion
F.C. Barschow & Sons Inc.
Fikru Bekele
Friedman, LLP
Gabriel Ledger
Gojjo, Inc.
Greensgrow Philadelphia
Hair Vyce Studio
Homewood Suites
Honeygrow
Integrity Auto Group
James Chris Edgar
James Donley and Robin Eaton
Jeff Rubidge and Grace Kao
Jeffrey Saven
John Barber, Jr. & Brenda Barber
Andrew and Kathleen Wheeler
Kleinbard Bell & Brecker LLP
Larry Gladney
Lawrence Biond
Linford Martin
Madeline Bell
Mark and Nancy Mendenhall
Mark Wagenveld and Theresa Mond
Maureen Tate & Gerald McHugh
Melissa Johanningsmeier
Nicholas Owens
NJ TRANSIT
Onuorah Umeh, M.D.
Philip Rosenau Co. Inc.
Prema Gupta
R. Walker
Richard Kirk
Santander Bank
Sara Corse
Sun-Lite Corporation
Swirling Silks, Inc.
The Lighting Practice
Media Partners
Ben FM
Daily Pennsylvanian
OpenTable
Penn Appetit
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Philadelphia Magazine
Old School 100.3
University City Review
Visit Philly
West Philly Local
YELP
UCD Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Results
FY16 Sources: $9,034,212
FY16 Uses: $9,148,798
UCD Board
Craig Carnaroli, Chair
Executive Vice President University of Pennsylvania
David Adelman, Vice Chair
President and CEO Campus Apartments
Keith Orris, Vice Chair
Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations and Economic Development, Drexel University
Joseph Trainor, Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer Wistar Institute
Maureen Rush, Secretary
Vice President for Public Safety University of Pennsylvania
Elizabeth Azari
Senior Vice President of Operations National Board of Medical Examiners
Mark Celoni
Vice President and Office Director Pennoni Associates, Inc.
Della Clark
President The Enterprise Center
UCD Staff
Matt Bergheiser
President
Queen Aniatang
Program Coordinator, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Joyce Bacon
Program Manager, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Seth Budick
Senior Manager, Policy and Research
James Carter
Public Safety Account Manager
Sarah Davis
Director of Development
Nick Edelman
Finance Director
Brian English
General Manager, Green City Works
David Forde, Jr.
Director of Community and Government Relations, University of Sciences
Michael Froehlich
Community Representative Cedar Park Neighbors Association
Jamie Gauthier
Community Representative Garden Court Community Association
Ken Gedaka
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, FMC Corporation
Julian Goresko
Community Representative Walnut Hill Community Association
Peter Grollman
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Barry Grossbach
Community Representative
Spruce Hill Community Association
Curt Hess
Senior Vice President of Real Estate
University City Science Center
Michael Jones
Community Representative Powelton Village Civic Association
Alan Garry
Director, Public Safety and Community Services
Lt. Derek Hawkins
Commanding Officer, UCD Philadelphia Police Substation
Nate Hommel
Director of Planning and Design
Sheila Ireland
Vice President, Workforce Solutions West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Maggie Langdon
Office Manager / Program Assistant
Joshua Park
Training Center Manager, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Tom Patterson
Operations Manager, Public Space Maintenance Program
Thomas Klaritch
Executive Vice President HCP Medical Office Properties
Daniel Liberatoscioli
President, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
Mark Mills
Owner
Metropolis Group / 40 th Street Live
Phil Moses
Principal, Vice President, INTECH Construction, Inc.
Brad Paul
Co-Owner and General Manager Central City & Ardmore Toyota
Susan Phillips
Senior Vice President, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Joe Reagan, Jr.
Vice President, Development Wexford Science & Technology
Joe Ritchie
Vice President of Development Brandywine Realty Trust
Douglas Smith
Vice President, External Affairs
Verizon Pennsylvania
Chris Richman
Communications Manager
Shawn Ryan
Graphic Design and Web Development Manager
Ryan Spak Manager, Project Rehab
Margaret Leidy Starke Event Planner
Andrew Stober
Vice President of Planning and Economic Development
Alissa Weiss
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications
University City District
3940 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.243.0555
University City District (UCD) was founded in 1997 by a partnership of world-renowned anchor institutions, small businesses and residents to improve economic vitality and quality of life in Philadelphia's University City. Our primary mission is community revitalization. We work within a place-based, data-driven framework to invest in worldclass public spaces, address crime and public safety, bring life to commercial corridors, connect low-income residents to careers, and promote job growth and innovation.
Photographs by: Ben Tran: Cover, 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 15 • Cory Popp: 2, 3 • Ryan Collerd: 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 16 • Jessica Kourkounis: 8
