University City District

UCD-funded representatives patrol the University City area of West Philadelphia on bicycles.

The University City District is a non-profit 501(c)3 special services district created in 1997 to improve the University City section of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Its 25-member board of directors includes representatives from local institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, local businesses, and other community members. The organization has a full-time staff of 16.[1]

The organization divides its activities into four topics: public safety, public space maintenance, marketing & communications and neighborhood initiatives.[2] Among other things, the group makes grants to local businesses, for $10,000 and other amounts.[3]

The organization's web site lists among its accomplishments helping to create the Clark Park farmers market and "implementing" more than $3 million in street landscaping and public infrastructure projects, with another $1 million to be completed by the end of 2010.[4]

The group is credited with helping to cut the area's serious crime by 20 percent and drawing nearly $4.5 billion in investment to West Philadelphia, according to a commission that studied tax policy for the city of Providence, Rhode Island. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Administrative Staff & Board". University City District. Retrieved Nov 20, 2010.
  2. ↑ "UCD Programs". University City District. Retrieved Nov 20, 2010.
  3. ↑ Van Allen, Peter (Sep 15, 2003). "UCD spurring more growth in West Philly". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved Nov 20, 2010.
  4. ↑ "About UCD". University City District. Retrieved Nov 20, 2010.
  5. ↑ Marcelo, Philip (Nov 15, 2010). "Providence needs tax alliance with colleges, hospitals, report says". Providence Journal. Retrieved Nov 20, 2010.

External links