West Lehigh Avenue 2035 Corridor Plan

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE 2035

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES GOALS ALTERNATIVES

Table of Contents

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

EXISTING CONDITIONS ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

CONTEXT HISTORY DEMOGRAPHICS LAND USE & ZONING HOUSING VACANCY ECONOMICS TRANSPORTATION URBAN DESIGN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT ISSUES OPPORTUNITIES GOALS ALTERNATIVE 1: GREEN CORRIDOR ALTERNATIVE 2: TEMPLE & THE PEOPLE ALTERNATIVE 3: NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITY MAGNET WEST LEHIGH CDC & OVERVIEW ALL ALONG THE CORRIDOR EAST ZONE: TEMPLE PARTNERSHIP CENTRAL ZONE : PUBLIC CORE WEST ZONE: PARK GATEWAY IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

GOALS

6 6 8 10 14 16 18 21 24 28 30 36 38 42 46 48 50 54 56 60 64 66 72 76

ALTERNATIVES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

CONTENTS

|3

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

2|

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

4|Existing Conditions |5

EXISTING CONDITIONS

In 1909, an ad placed in the Philadelphia Jewish Herald advertised Strawberry Mansion for its “fresh air,” and “beautiful country landscape.” As the community grew, a stadium was built by one of the new residents and opened in 1909. This stadium was commissioned by the Shibe brothers, initially named Shibe Park, and became home to both the Philadelphia Athletics and Phillies (baseball), as well as the Philadelphia Eagles (football).

By the 1950s, the Jewish community had reached its peak, having a population of roughly 60,000 residing in the area. With the end of World War II and the passing of the G.I. Bill, many residents took the opportunity to leave Strawberry Mansion and move to the suburbs. With families moving out of Strawberry Mansion, the neighborhood began to see disinvestment.

Around the time Brown vs Board of Education legally desegregated schools, African Americans moved into the neighborhood that now had new vacancies. This new population had a lower income than their predecessors. Throughout the 1960s, the neighborhood faced vacancy issues as the influx of lower income residents was not enough to stem the tide of disinvestment caused by higher income residents leaving for the suburbs.

One of the most prominent landmarks of the neighborhood was a baseball stadium built in 1908 at Lehigh and 21st Street. Initially named Shibe Park, it was later renamed Connie Mack Stadium. Although initially very popular, over time teams relocated and the stadium became less profitable. Vacancies in both homes and the stadium led to squatters and

Jewish Community migrated from South & West Philadelphia

arson. In 1971, the stadium caught on fire when two children trespassed and accidentally lit part of it on fire. The damaged structure could not be used any more, so the owner filed for bankruptcy and could not afford to renovate the stadium. With the abandonment of the structure, squatters began to move into the space.

The Philadelphia Common Pleas Court ordered the remenants of the stadium to be demolished due to the safety concerns, and by 1976 the building was demolished. This was the end of one of the neighborhood’s largest assets and identifying feature.

A decade later, the Deliverance Evangelistic Church bought the stadium land and neighboring land from the city. In 1992, the megachurch that stands today was opened and became its own neighborhood landmark.

Today, the neighborhoods surrounding West Lehigh Avenue continue to suffer from the issues that ignited with mass suburbanization: high levels of poverty, increasing vacancy along the corridor, and a high degree of disinvestment.

Shibe Park (later renamed Connie Mack Stadium) opened

Height of Jewish Community in Strawberry Mansion, population ~60,000

White Flight & Mass Suburbanization + Brown vs Board of Education

1909

1950s

1960s

Fire broke out at Connie Mack Stadium & squatters began to appear

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court ordered remaining parts of stadium to be demolished

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE NORTH BROAD STREET

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

CITY HALL

1890s

1971

1976

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Prior to it’s current composition as a predominantly African American neighborhood, Strawberry Mansion was previously known as a Jewish neighborhood. Beginning in the late 1800s, Jewish communities moved from primarily West and South Philadelphia to the northern neighborhood of Strawberry Mansion.

GOALS

Just three miles north of City Hall, West Lehigh Avenue is a corridor that runs through three different neighborhoods: Glenwood, Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West. Once home to large entertainment venues and thriving Jewish and African-American communities, the corridor has experienced considerable disinvestment coinciding with the loss of Philadelphia’s manufacturing employment base. Largely correlated with the nearby “Badlands,” the communities surrounding West Lehigh Avenue experience stark vacancy compared with nearby well established communities to its north and south.

ALTERNATIVES

HISTORY

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

CONTEXT

EXISTING CONDITIONS

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PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

6|Existing Conditions

8|Existing Conditions

|9

Last but not least, the West Lehigh Avenue area is experiencing a decline in the number of children. The percentage of households with children under

Philadelphia average

27

Neighborhood Average

57

Neighborhood average

3

4 Year Graduation rate No High School Degree

PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN AMERICAN The West Lehigh Avenue area population is predominantly African American. In 2018, African Americans represented as much as 94% of the total population, while in Philadelphia the percentage was only 44%.

However, there was a moderate trend of increasing racial diversity as both White and Asian populations have increased over the past decade.

The population along the corridor also indicates less diversity and mobility compared to other parts of Philadelphia. Ninety-eight percent of West Lehigh residents are native-born (comparing to 89% in Philadelphia), and almost 90% of the residents lived in the same home over the past year.

Philadelphia Average

72

Philadelphia average

11

Neighborhood Average

82

Neighborhood average

14

High School Degree

School score Philadelphia Average

47

Philadelphia average

23

Neighborhood Average

24

Neighborhood average

31

Reading on Target (K-2) Associates or Higher Philadelphia Average

48

Philadelphia average

35

Neighborhood Average

35

Neighborhood average

24

Figure 3: Neighborhood average educational level compared to Philadelphia

The educational attainment of the neighborhoods surrounding West Lehigh Avenue were lower than Philadelphia as a whole in most categories for the 2017-2018 school year. The graduation rate was higher than the Philadelphia average, and at first glance the college matriculation rate was also higher than the city. However, 14% of residents have not earned a high school diploma, which is higher than Philadelphia’s 11% average.

Thirty percent of the residents’ highest educational attainment is a high school diploma, while the city as a whole is 23%. Overall, there has been a significant improvement in the area’s educational attainment over the past decade, which is consistent with the rest of Philadelphia.

The average college matriculation rate for the surrounding neighborhoods was less than 40%. However, Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School in the Allegheny West neighborhood is operated and funded by Drexel University and has a 100% college matriculation rate.

The overall school scores for Strawberry Mansion, Allegheny West, and Glenwood are almost half the Philadelphia average. Overall, students are not reading at the level they should be when they enter the second grade.

The achievement levels, which focus on math, language arts, and science, are severely low, scoring a total of three percent.

CHILDREN IN SINGLE-MOTHER HOUSEHOLDS

Demographics

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

94% (44% in Philadelphia)

Figure 1: Decreasing population trend around West Lehigh Avenue and in Philadelphia from 1950 to 2018

Figure 2: Majority of residents near West Lehigh Avenue are African American as of 2018

72%

(49% in Philadelphia)

Figure 4: High percentage of single-mother households near West Lehigh Avenue as of 2018

Among the 6,610 children under 18 in the neighborhoods surrounding West Lehigh Avenue, more than 99% lived in family type households in 2018. However, only around 17% lived in married-couple families, which is significantly lower compared to other parts of Philadelphia (about 40%). In addition, this share has dropped dramatically from 2010 to 2018 by almost 5%, while the percentage in Philadelphia has remained stable.

Among the 5,470 children under the age of 18 who lived in single-parent families in 2018, a predominate and increasing share of children lived in single-mother families. The percentage of children who lived in singlemother families in terms of total population under 18 increased from 63% to 72% around the West Lehigh Avenue corridor in the past decade. In comparison, this percentage in Philadelphia as a whole was around 50% and has remained stable.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

53

GOALS

Philadelphia Average

ALTERNATIVES

There were also significant changes in household structure within the West Lehigh Avenue area. The average household size shrunk from 2.6 people to 2.3 people in the past decade, while the average household size remained stable in Philadelphia at 2.5 people. The percentage of families along the West Lehigh Avenue corridor also decreased from 79% to 75% during the same time period. In comparison, the percentage of families in Philadelphia as a whole is 77%.

18 significantly dropped from 32% in 2010 to 24% in 2018. In contrast, approximately 28% of households in all of Philadelphia contain children under the age of 18.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

West Lehigh Avenue runs through three neighborhoods and all three have had shrinking and aging populations over the last few decades. From 2010 to 2018, the total population in this area decreased by fourteen percent (from 33,450 to 28,900), compared to a five percent increase in Philadelphia as a whole (Figure 1). The median age of residents in this area increased from 36.4 to 38.5 during this time, while the median age in Philadelphia remained stable at 34.

LOWER EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

College Matriculation Achievement Level

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

SHRINKING & AGING POPULATION

EXISTING CONDITIONS

DEMOGRAPHICS

10|Existing Conditions

|11

this is also where Lehigh Avenue intersects with the Broad Street Line and regional railways. As a result of the large concentration of industrial and transportation uses, the street environment and atmosphere are quite different from those at 22nd Street or at Ridge Avenue.

The 2nd most common zoning category is commercial, which covers 28% of the total land. However, there are a higher number of commercial lots than residential lots, suggesting that commercial areas are very dispersed along West Lehigh Avenue. The dispersed commercial zoning and relevant activities could be helpful in creating a mixed-use neighborhood.

43%

The 3rd largest zoning category along West Lehigh Avenue is industrial zoning. Industrial zones are concentrated on the eastern side of the site, where Lehigh Avenue intersects with most of the railways. Unsurprisingly,

28%

Residential

22%

Commercial

When excluding the area used for transportation uses (railroads and streets), the top three land uses in terms of area are residential, commercial and civic/institution.

The distribution of commercial uses varies over different parts of West Lehigh Avenue. The central portion of the corridor contains scattered, small mixed-use corner stores, while the eastern part features large autooriented shops. Along 22nd Street, the commercial uses are more condensed and continuous to form a commercial street and small commercial center at the intersection of 22nd Street and West Lehigh Avenue.

Of the substantial proportion of civic/institution uses, churches account for a large portion. There are many churches both along West Lehigh Avenue and throughout Allegheny West and Strawberry Mansion.

Industrial

The large quantity of churches brings about a lot of activities on the street.

Around the intersection of West Lehigh Avenue and 22nd Street, the mix of churches, schools, commercial and open spaces creates a hub of public life. Also, on the western side of West Lehigh, the Widener Branch Library serves as a large generator of public activities.

Commercial and civic uses help to provide public spaces for public activities and encourage public life. The vibrant 22nd Street and the numerous churches along Lehigh Avenue have not only shaped the street interface of the corridor greatly, but are also unique identifiers of West Lehigh Avenue, Allegheny West and Strawberry Mansion. In a sense, these places and these activities happening everyday have been part of what makes Lehigh unique.

N

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

20th St

21st St

22nd St

23rd St

24th St

19th St

Gl

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

15th St

e

W

Oakdale St

16th St

W

oo nw

17th St

Gl

Se

18th St

18th St

Oakdale St

Land Use & Zoning

W Lehigh Ave

e

W

15th St

W

ve dA

l dg

oo nw

17th St

W Lehigh Ave

Se

e Av ey

ve dA

dg

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

25th St

Somerset St

e Av ley

16th St

Somerset St

Legend

Legend Residential

Commercial

Industrial

RM1

CA1

CMX2

IRMX

I1

CMX1

CMX3

ICMX

I2

RSA5

26th St

27th St 28th St

19th St

20th St

21st St

22nd St

23rd St

24th St

25th St

26th St

28th St

27th St

N

ALTERNATIVES

Much of the area along West Lehigh Avenue is zoned for residential use. In total, about 70 acres, or 43% of the land, is zoned residential. Furthermore, over 90% of the residentially-zoned land is designated RSA-5 zones. The main housing type in RSA-5 zone is the row house.

RSA3

Special Purpose

Residential

Civic/Institution

Transportation

SPPOA

Commercial

Culture/Recreation

Vacant

Industrial

Park/Open Space

Figure 5: Map shows the current zoning districts within the West Lehigh Avenue corridor

0 0.05 0.1

0.2

0.3

Miles 0.4

Figure 6: Map shows current land uses within the West Lehigh Avenue corridor

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND CIVIC LAND USES COMMINGLE

GOALS

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, & INDUSTRIAL PREVALENT ZONING DISTRICTS

EXISTING CONDITIONS

LAND USE & ZONING

0 0.05 0.1

0.2

0.3

Miles 0.4

12|Existing Conditions

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After looking at the Philadelphia Zoning Code and current land uses, it is clear that certain areas around West Lehigh Avenue do not have land uses in sync with the prescribed zoning.

1 Site Area & Surrounding neighborhood

Commercial uses on residential zones

Some of these inconsistencies are compatible. For example, commercial or cultural uses in residential zones.

22nd St: Commercial center

Figure 8: Commercial uses on residential zoning are most likely compatible

However, some of these inconsistencies are not compatible. For example, industrial uses in residential or commercial zones.

23rd St: Rowhouses

Residential

Figure 9: Industrial uses on Commercial zoning are most likely incompatible

Since many industrial uses and associated activities bring about large externalities, an industrial use within a residential or commercial zone could be harmful to the surrounding communities.

Land Use & Zoning

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

To better understand these mismatches, they are categorized into seven types (see Figure 10). Along West Lehigh Avenue, there are four common types of inconsistent uses, which are colored in to the right. They are mostly concentrated around the railways and around 22nd Street.

Numerous churches in neighborhood

Figure 7: Axonometric Map shows the geographic location of the most prevalent land uses

Parks around churches & schools

Within the inconsistent uses, the share of potentially harmful and incompatible uses (industrial uses on residential zones) is 2% along West Lehigh and 22% in its surrounding areas. This means that although it is not common along the corridor itself, area residents may still be impacted by these inconsistencies. Nevertheless, the vacancies along West Lehigh Avenue could be a great opportunity to re-configure some of the incompatibility.

GOALS

Commercial

Industrial uses on residential zones

ALTERNATIVES

Civic

Site Area & Surrounding neighborhood

Residential uses on industrial zones

2

Site Area PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

22nd St: Commercial corridor

As is mentioned before, there are a lot of scattered mixed-use corner stores along the west and middle part of the West Lehigh Avenue. Many of these commercial uses are within residential zones.

2

Commercial uses on industrial zones

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Industrial uses around rail

EXISTING CONDITIONS

4 types of incompatibilities along the West Lehigh Avenue

Civic/Institution uses on industrial zones

1 Site Area Industrial uses on commercial zones

Cultural/Recreation uses on industrial zones

Figure 10: Typology of Land Use - Zoning inconsistency

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

ZONING AND LAND USES ARE NOT ALWAYS COMPATIBILE

Industrial

14|Existing Conditions

|15

Before 1940:

39%

Figure 13: The homes in the neighborhoods around W. Lehigh Ave. are considerably older Though the style is still popular today, the majority of rowhomes were built before 1940. In fact, the majority of the housing stock in Philadelphia as a whole was built prior to 1940. As visualized in Figure 2513 above, 64% of homes along the corridor were built before 1940. This is in comparison to 39% of homes being built before 1940 in all of Philadelphia.

Rowhomes oftentimes include porches which easily facilitate nieghbor interactions. Furthermore, residents have the ability to take ownership of a front yard in one way or another. In particular, these DIY tire planters were found throughout the neighborhoods surrounding the West Lehigh Avenue corridor.

Figure 11: Mixed -use row homes on Lehigh Ave. and 24th St.

Stock of Row Homes:

Figure 14: DIY tire planters exemplifying a cohesive sense of community on the street

Housing Stock

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Allegheny West + Strawberry Mansion

FILLED WITH LONG-TERM RESIDENTS THAT RENT AND OWN PROPORTIONATELY Just as the housing units have been around for a while, so have their occupants. Residents in the neighborhoods around the West Lehigh Avenue corridor have lived in the neighborhhood longer than the average Philadelphian; 30% of residents in Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West have lived in the same house since 1989 or earlier, whereas only 17% of all Philadelphians have lived in their house that long.

Philadelphia

Figure 12: Housing stock broken down by ratio of rowhomes

Of the occupied homes along the corridor, 53% are owner occupied and 47% are renter occupied. The city of Philadelphia has the exact same breakdown.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Despite low home values, roughly 33% of homeowners in Alleghany West and Strawberry Mansion pay more than a third of their income on housing costs, which is comprable to the rest of Philadelphia. However, this percent of homeowners varies greatly throughout the neighborhoods around West Lehigh Avenue, ranging from 16% to 45%.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Philadelphia

Home values surrounding West Lehigh Avenue are low. Over eighty percent of surrounding homes are valued under $100,00.

The proportion of homeowners that own their house free and clear is substantially higher within the area surrounding West Lehigh Avenue compared to Philadelphia as a whole. Approximately 67% of homeowners near the corridor have paid off their mortgage whilst just 39% of Philadelphian homeowners have already paid off their mortgage. The higher proportion of homeowners in the surrounding neighborhoods that bought their house in 1989 or earlier might explain this phenomenon.

GOALS

Allegheny West + Strawberry Mansion

ALTERNATIVES

Housing typology and age in the Allegheny West and Strawberry Mansion neighborhoods are fairly homogeneous. The most common housing typology along the corridor is the single-family attached housing, colloquilly known as a rowhome. About eight out of ten homes in the surrounding neighborhoods are rowhomes. This can be compared to the rest of Philadelphia where six out of ten homes are rowhomes (Figure 12).

DESPITE LOWER HOME VALUES AND RENTS AFFORDABILITY CAN BE A CHALLENGE

64%

As for renters, the story is more grim. Rents in the area are relatively low, averaging $846 a month. This can be compared to Philadlephia’s average of $1,007 a month. Though, the rent burden is much greater in the area around West Lehigh Avenue. On average, renters in this area pay 42% of their income on rent versus the average Philadelphian who pays 33% of their income on rent.

W. Lehigh Corridor

% of homes valued under $100,000: 80-100% 60-80%

Beyond a higher rent burden, renters also face adversity in terms of eviction. Alleghany West and Strawberry Mansion record a five percent eviction rate, whereas the city-wide rate is 3.5%. In fact, Philadelphia has one of the highest eviction rates of all the large metropolitan cities. For comparison, New York City only evicts at 1.1%.

It is important to consider that these are only official eviction rates.

According to the Urban Institue, unoffical evictions are projected to be even higher. The most common reason for eviction is a city’s lack of a “just cause” bill which would require a landlord to provide a just cause before evicting a tenant. In January of 2019, Mayor Kenney signed this sort of bill into law, and it went into effect in April of 2019. The effects from the bill have yet to be seen.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

PREDOMINANTLY PRE-WAR TOWNHOMES

West Lehigh Avenue is surrounded by homes of low value

40-60% 20-40% 0-20% No Data

Figure 15: Map showing percent of owner-occupied homes in Philadelphia that have a value under $100,000 (Social Explorer ACS 2018 5 year study) 5%

42%

Lower median gross rent

$850

$1000

W Lehigh Philly

Higher median rent as a % of income

33%

W Lehigh Philly

3.5%

Higher Eviction Rate W Lehigh Philly

Figure 16: Renters in W Lehigh’s surrounding neighborhood are struggling and underserved

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

HOUSING

16|Existing Conditions

|17

Rid g

2

LOW INCOME MEANS HIGHER POVERTY RATES Median household income in the Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West neighborhoods is roughly $19,000, less than half of the city’s median household income. Incomes north of Lehigh Avenue are, on average, higher than incomes south of Lehigh Avenue. In some areas, median household incomes are less than $20,000. Thirty percent of households report less than $10,000 annual income.

Lehigh Avenue

3

Legend

e

nu

Vacant Buildings Vacant Land

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As incomes in this area are very low comparatively, there is a higher than average incidence of poverty. Across every metric, Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West have higher rates of poverty. In this area, 54% more people are experiencing poverty, 44% more people receive nutrition assistance, and 33% more children are experiencing poverty than in the rest of Philadelphia.

Miles 0.4

Figure 17: Map showing vacant parcels; five called out for visual emphasis

Vacancy & Economics

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Figure 2917 above illustrates vacant land and building parcels surrounding West Lehigh Avenue. It is evident that there is considerable building vacancy specifically in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood south of the corridor. Photo #1 shows a vacant building flanked by two vacant lots. This block appears to only have one occupied building.

Photo #2 and photo #3 show land and building vacancies in the middle of the commercial portion of West Lehigh Avenue. In photo #2, it looks like someone has co-opted the space into a food truck of sorts showing there is interest in using these parcels but potentially not enough investment to do so in a more formal manner. Looking closely at where photo #3 was taken, the map actually does not show these buildings as vacant depite them very clearly showing signs of vacancies. These buildings are even out

Lehigh Avenue outperforms the city of Philadelphia in every metric measuring poverty

of compliance with the city’s Windows and Doors ordinance; this is shown by how one can see straight through the building from the windows.

There is a great deal of vacancy to the east as well. Photo #4 is of a large, previously industrial and vacant building right on West Lehigh Avenue.

Furthermore, Photo #5 shows four vacancies right in a row. The prevalence of so much vacancy within the east side of the corridor may deter people exiting from one of the many transit stops in the area from walking further down West Lehigh Avenue.

Local vacancy data can be distinguished between land and buildings.

Measured in terms of land area, the vacancy rate is approximately 4% in Philadelphia as a whole. Comparatively, the vacancy rate is approximately

W. Lehigh Corridor

% of Vacant land+ buildings by block 80-100% 60-80% 40-60% 20-40% 0-20%

Figure 18: Vacancy around the corridor is higher than the rest of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Lehigh Avenue All people experiencing poverty

26%

40%

People under 18 experiencing poverty

36%

48%

Receiving supplemental nutrition assistance

25%

36%

Families experiencing poverty

20%

31%

Families with children experiencing poverty

30%

41%

People over 65 experiencing poverty

18%

29%

Figure 19: Poverty levels of neighborhoods along West Lehigh Ave. in comparison to Philadelphia

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

While vacancy threatens the physical vibrancy of the corridor, low incomes and high unemployment threaten the fiscal vibrancy of the corridor. With median household incomes less than half the city’s average, neighborhood residents have significantly reduced spending power, which is apparent in the physical and fiscal conditions found along the corridor.

GOALS

eA

4

ALTERNATIVES

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

27th Street

29th Street

ven ue

Looking at housing specifically, 26% of all homes in the neighborhoods along West Lehigh Avenue are vacant. Of those vacant houses, only ten percent are for sale or rent, suggesting other buildings may be abandoned completely or in such disrepair that they are inhabitable.

West Lehigh Avenue traverses some of the city’s least economically prosperous neighborhoods. Even along the less than two mile stretch of corridor analyzed in this plan, employment, income, and other economic markers vary widely. There are stark differences between Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West, with the latter showing minor improvements over the former.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

10% along the West Lehigh Avenue corridor and 13% in the surrounding neighborhoods of Strawberry Mansion and Alleghany West. Figure 18 (below) shows the vacancies along the West Lehigh Avenue corridor in the context of Philadelphia. Based on the prevalence of dark areas surrounding the study area, it is clear that vacancy is a widespread phenomenon.

N

EXISTING CONDITIONS

ECONOMICS

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

VACANCY

Lehigh Avenue

Neighborhood poverty rate is almost twice the city’s already high poverty rate 26%

$19,000

Philadelphia

$23,000

$16,000

MAJORITY COMMUTES BY PERSONAL VEHICLE OR TRANSIT

$15,000

Median Household Income Less than $20,000

40%

West Lehigh Ave

$20,000 - $24,000 Greater than $24,000

0 0.05 0.1

0.2

0.3

Miles 0.4

Figure 20: Median household income is less than $20,000 in most census tracts bordering West Lehigh Avenue, ranging from $15,000 - $28,000.

Much like the rest of Philadelphia, residents of the West Lehigh Avenue corridor face a 33-minute commute to their places of employment. Fortyfour percent of residents use personal vehicles to get to work, while 42% use public transportation to get to work.

Carpool

4%

Personal Vehicle

44%

Most residents in the 19132 zip code are employed in Center City and University City. Residents also commute to Hunting Park and Frankford, where large employers include: Temple University Hospital

•

St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital

•

Walmart

Transit

42%

Economics

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

There is also a notable contingent of residents who commute to Southeast Philadelphia. Large employers there include:

Figure 21: The Strawberry Mansion Learning Center turned a family-owned bar into a development center for local youth, focusing on literacy and mentorship.

Figure 22: The 22nd Street corridor is the only section of the corridor that has a cohesive identity supported by the Allegheny West Foundation and other organizations.

•

Wells Fargo Center

•

Citizens Bank Park

•

Lincoln Financial Field

•

CSX Rail Yard

EXISTING CONDITIONS

7%

While most residents use personal vehicles and public transit for their daily commutes, 14% either carpool, walk, work at home, or use bikes, motorcycles, and taxis to get to work.

•

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Work from Home Bike, Taxi, 2% Other Walking 1%

There are a network of organizations supporting job training and youth mentorship programs in North Philadelphia. The Strawberry Mansion Learning Center is one such organization operating along the West Lehigh Avenue corridor, focusing on literacy and mentorship among area youth.

$15,000

GOALS

$28,000

ALTERNATIVES

ge A

West Lehigh Ave

Figure 23: Mode share for daily commuting trips for the 19132 zip code

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ven u

e

$19,000

Nearby residents use personal vehicles and public transit at similar rates in order to get to work

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

$26,000

Rid

$19,000

17th Street

27th Street

Philadelphia

EMPLOYMENT VARIES BUT GENERALLY HIGHER THAN CITY Employment statistics vary widely between the two neighborhoods that straddle West Lehigh Avenue. In Allegheny West, the unemployment rate sits at roughly 11%, similar to the average across Philadelphia in 2017. In Strawberry Mansion, the unemployment rate is as high as 26%.

Unemployment is highest in the geographic center of the corridor, with higher than average unemployment reported around 25th Street on both the northern and southern sides of Lehigh Avenue.

Broad Street

$40,000

N

29th Street

Neighborhood household income is less than half of the city’s median household income

20th Street

|19 22nd Street

18|Existing Conditions

20|Existing Conditions

|21

The bus stop with highest ridership is located at West Lehigh Avenue and Broad Street, which averages 323 people per day getting on and off. As a comparison, the most frequently-used bus stop in the city as a whole is Olney Avenue and Broad Street, which has a daily ridership of 1,007 people per day. The rest of the most frequently-used bus stops are located

West Oak Lane

< 100 Workers

201 - 300 Workers

301 - 400 Workers

301 - 400 Workers

401+ Workers

401+ Workers

Economics & Transportation

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Somerset St Lehigh Avenue

Figure 25: Workers along the corridor are largely coming from other neighborhoods in North Philadelphia, with a few commuting from Southwest Philadelphia and Northwest Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA

38%

23%

22%

6%

11%

WEST LEHIGH AVE

25%

31%

23%

5%

16%

Management & Business

Service

Sales & Office

Construction

Production & Transport

Lehigh Ave & Broad St Bus Stop

Regional Rail & Amtrak Station

Bus Stops with Highest Ridership

Broad Street Line (Subway) Station

Bus Stops

0 0.05 0.1

e

nu

Legend

OCCUPATION BREAKDOWN OF NEARBY RESIDENTS Residents of West Lehigh Avenue are overrepresented in service and production/ transportation occupations. They are underrepresented in management, business, and science occupations.

Cambria St North Philadelphia Station

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

101 - 200 Workers

North Philadelphia Station

ven

Kingsessing

201 - 300 Workers

Figure 24: More workers commute out of the Lehigh Avenue area than into the area, with a majority going south towards Center City and University City

Indiana Avenue

ue

Cobbs Creek

Allegheny Station

ALTERNATIVES

Legend < 100 Workers

N

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Legend

101 - 200 Workers South Philadelphia East

Workers Commuting into Study Area

Brewerytown

ge A

Center City

West Parkside

Allegheny Avenue

Rid

Northern Liberties

Workers Commuting out of Study Area

Allegheny Station

0.2

0.3

Miles 0.4

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Broad Street

Fairmount Park

Lehigh Ave

29th Street

Lehigh Ave

University City

Frankford

Hunting Park

GOALS

Olney

Frankford Hunting Park

There are three regional rail stations near West Lehigh Avenue, and eight rail lines run through these stations. Besides carrying regional rail services, the North Philadelphia station also provides Amtrak service. Furthermore, there is a North Philadelphia subway station that is only 15 minutes away from City Hall. It is located at West Lehigh Avenue and Broad Street.

22nd Street

Germantown

along 22nd Street, which is a commercial corridor near West Lehigh Avenue.

However, half of the bus stops do not have any ridership data reported.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

West Lehigh Avenue has a well-built transit network that includes more than 70 bus stops, three train stations (with access to both Amtrak and regional rail), and one subway station (on the Broad Street Line).

EXISTING CONDITIONS

TRANSPORTATION

North Broad Station SusquehannaDauphin Station

|23

DETERIORATING STREET CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE CORRIDOR

The car ownership rate is relatively low in this area. Along West Lehigh Avenue, half of the households don’t own any vehicles. In comparison, 70% of Philadelphia households own at least one car. The low car ownership rate explains the need for alternative travel modes such as transit, biking, and walking.

The streets and sidewalks around West Lehigh Avenue are not in great condition. Throughout the corridor, it is apparent that streets and sidewalks have not been repaved or replaced, respectively, in a long time.

40%

50%

1 vehicle available

3 vehicles available

4+ vehicles available

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

The map on the right (Figure 28) shows a bus route map of all non-school bus routes that run through the West Lehigh area.

GOALS

17th St

20th St

22nd St

25th St

Figure 27: Bus operating on West Lehigh Avenue

EXTENSIVE BUS NETWORK AND CONNECTIONS

Midnight-5am (bus) service for Line, so it has a relatively low Route 33S and HRS are school they have no ridership data

North Philadelphia (Subway)

Lehigh Avenue

Figure 26: Car Ownership Rate in neighborhoods around West Lehigh Avenue

Route BSO is the the Broad Street ridership as well. bus routes, and recorded.

Cambria St Somerset St

2 vehicles available

Ridge-Lyceum (Roxborough)

29th Street

Fern Rock Transportation Center

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16 33

22nd Street 32

54

61 48 Broad-Carpenter 9th-Market

Penn’s Landing 33rd-Dauphin

2

Legend Fatal Injury

Broad-Erie

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Manayunk

Pulaski-Hunting Park 23rd-Venango

27th-Allegheny

N

Cheltenham-Ogontz

Allegheny Avenue

Rid

There are eleven bus routes that run along or across West Lehigh Avenue. Most go as north as the northwestern corners of the city, and some buses go to South Philadelphia. Among the eleven routes, Route 33 (Penn’s Landing to 23rd-Venango) has the highest average weekly ridership of 13,060 people, while Route 61 (9th-Market to Manayunk) has the lowest average weekly ridership of approximately 3,380 people.

North Philadelphia (Rail)

Major Injury High Injury Network

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BSO

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Figure 29: Injuries mapped in close proximity to Lehigh Avenue

4

Lehigh Avenue Richmond-Cambria

Legend Bus Line #2 Bus Line #4 Bus Line #16 Bus Line #32 Bus Line #33 Bus Line #48 0 0.05 0.1

0.2

Figure 28: Bus Network along West Lehigh Avenue

Bus Line #54 Bus Line #61 Bus Line #BSO

City Hall

Regional Rail Station BSL (Subway) Station 0.3

Miles 0.4

20th-Johnston

Broad-Pattison

Penn’s Landing

Figure 30: Uneven surface of a street

Figure 31: Bike lane on West Lehigh Avenue

Figure 32: Pedestrian sidewalk conditions

0.3

Miles 0.4

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

30%

Indiana Ave

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

20%

9.2%

ALTERNATIVES

ue 10%

No vehicles available

Rid ge A

ven 0%

39.4%

Broad Street

50.0%

West Lehigh

N

Allegheny

19.9%

43.6%

29th St

30.9%

Allegheny Avenue

27th St

Philadelphia

Streets are criss-crossed with construction patch jobs and markings like medians and bike lanes are faded in some places to the point that they are too light to be seen. Furthermore, sidewalks are cracked, crumbling, and in need of repairs.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

LOW CAR OWNERSHIP RATE

EXISTING CONDITIONS

22|Existing Conditions

24|Existing Conditions

|25

URBAN DESIGN

The most common building typology along West Lehigh Avenue is the twoor three-story rowhome, which is typically 15 feet wide and 40-45 feet deep and is attached to the rowhome on either side. Most homes front directly on the street, have a small backyard, and do not include off-street parking.

This likely accounts for the prevalence of on-street parking throughout the neighborhood, similar to many other neighborhoods of Philadelphia.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

ven

ven

ue

ue

29th Street

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

27th Street

29th Street

N

ge A

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Rid

ge A

North Philadelphia (Rail)

Rid

Laurel Hill Cemetery

Figure 34: Typical two-story townhomes

N

Allegheny

Schuylkill River

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

The Western zone extends from N 29th Street west to Ridge Avenue and is dominated by open spaces like Mt. Vernon Cemetery directly to the north, Laurel Hill Cemetery to the northwest, and Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River to the west. Consequently, this portion of the study area is the least densely developed but it does include several commercial buildings, a public library, a public school, and the familiar two and three story townhomes.

GOALS

The vast majority of the buildings just north and south of West Lehigh Avenue are two or three stories tall. Larger one-story buildings are scattered throughout each zone but are more common at either end of the corridor. These buildings contain mainly commercial or industrial uses with the exception of Ethel Allen School in the western zone. The larger four-to-five story and six-to-seven story buildings are school buildings and churches. The only building that is at least eight stories within the study area is the Botany 500 building, a former commercial building by the North Philadelphia subway station.

25th Street

The Eastern zone includes the intersection of West Lehigh Avenue and Broad Street and extends west to about N 21st Street. This area is mainly commercial and less uniform in terms of parcel and building sizes than areas further west along the corridor. Larger lots are also more common in this zone. Two transit stations within the study area and two more stations within walking distance provide access to Amtrak, regional rail, and subway services. These railroad tracks bisect the Eastern zone northeast to southwest, which disrupts the regular street grid and introduces diagonal streets.

The Central zone stretches from N 21st Street west to N 29th Street and includes a portion of the N 22nd Street commercial corridor north of West Lehigh. With the exception of N 22nd Street, this zone is primarily residential and organized around the typical Philadelphia street grid. The prevalence of two-story and three-story townhomes creates the highest level of density within the study area. Although there are some corner stores, there is less retail midblock except along N 22nd Street, which appears to be the strongest commercial corridor in the area. The corridor is comprised mainly of ground-floor retail and restaurants with residential units above.

27th Street

West Lehigh Avenue runs between Broad Street and Ridge Avenue for a total of approximately 1.75 miles. Over this stretch of road, the urban character of the surrounding neighborhood varies in terms of building uses, building size, street layout, and overall personality. West Lehigh Avenue can generally be categorized into three distinct zones: Eastern, Central, and Western.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

BUILDING HEIGHT RARELY EXCEEDS THREE STORIES

ALTERNATIVES

CORRIDOR CAN BE CHARACTERIZED INTO THREE ZONES

Mt. Vernon Cemetery

North Philadelphia (Subway)

Lehigh Avenue

Central

Western

Lehigh Avenue

Eastern

North Philadelphia Subway Station

Ethel Allen School

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Fairmount Park

North Broad Street

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Legend Subway Station

Water

Railway Station

Parks

Railway

Cemetery

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Site Boundary

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Figure 33: The eastern, central, and western zones of West Lehigh Avenue each have a distinct character

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Legend

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Study Area

4-5 Stories

1 Story

6-7 Stories

2-3 Stories

8+ Stories

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Figure 35: Building height map shows the prevalence of 2-3 story buildings as well as the outlier buildings

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26|Existing Conditions

|27

Typical West Lehigh Ave. Section

TYPICAL PHILADELPHIA STREET GRID PROVIDES ORDER TO CORRIDOR

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

84 feet

15 feet

8 feet 4’ 11 feet

7’

11 feet 4’ 9 feet

15 feet

15 feet

8 feet 4’ 11 feet

7’

11 feet 4’ 9 feet

15 feet

Figure 38: Typical West Lehigh Avenue section

N 22nd Street Section

15 feet

38 feet feet Street 7’ Section 11 feet 4’ 9 feet 8 feet 4’ N11 22nd

N 22nd Street Section 38 feet

N

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

27th Street

24 feet

7’

7’

24 feet

7’

ven u

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29th Street

7’

Typical Minor Street Section

ge A Rid

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Legend

24 28 feet feet

7’

7’

Typical Minor Street Section Figure 39: Typical numbered street section

North Philadelphia (Rail)

28 feet

Typical Minor Street Section

North Philadelphia (Subway)

Lehigh Avenue

Major Arterial Subway Station

Minor Arterial

Railway Station

Collector Residential

Railway

Local Residential

Figure 36: Street hierarchy map shows regularity of grid and various street widths

Se

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Ave

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7’

14 feet

7’

7’

14 feet

7’

7’

14 feet

7’

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28 feet

North Broad Street

e nu

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0.2

0.3

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15 feet

38 feet

Figure 939 illustrates a section of a typical numbered north-south street, Allegheny

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Typical West Lehigh Ave. Section

GOALS

From an urban design perspective, West Lehigh Avenue is too wide compared to the average abutting building heights. A common building height to street width rule of thumb for pedestrian comfort along an urban corridors is 1:1. So, the width of West Lehigh Avenue could support taller buildings without imposing on the pedestrian experience.

Lastly, Figure 10 shows a section of the narrowest minor residential streets, which consist of only a travel lane 12-14 feet wide and the standard 7-8 foot wide sidewalk on both sides of the street. Despite no formal public space allotted for parking, it is common for residents to park their vehicles so that half is on the street and half over a sidewalk (shown in Figure 37 below). Overall, there is no bike infrastructure incorporated in these side streets and trees are quite rare outside of backyards.

84 feet

Figure 37: Makeshift on-street parking on side streets

ALTERNATIVES

As Figure 1138 illustrates, the right-of-way of major arterial streets such as West Lehigh Avenue are over 80 feet wide and the street itself can be 50 feet wide. A typical section of West Lehigh Avenue contains parking on both sides, one to two travel lanes in each direction, periodic turning lanes, and wide (15 feet) sidewalks. West Lehigh Avenue also contains a bike lane in both directions, but that is an exception in this area. It should be noted that West Lehigh Avenue in particular was likely redesigned, so the bike lanes and the center median replaced a travel lane in each direction.

84Lehigh feet Typical West Ave. Section

which is 24-26 feet wide and features on-street parking on either side and one travel lane. Since these streets are unidirectional, the orientation alternates between north and south. Two 7-8 foot wide sidewalks are provided, and most are void of street trees. Most of the wider numbered streets are bordered by two-story buildings, but there are portions that extend to three-stories.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

The average block size in this neighborhood, especially within the residential areas, is 120 feet by 500 feet. Most blocks within the study area are oriented north-south, but several blocks along West Lehigh in the Central zone are oriented east-west. There are several “superblocks” in the study area that contain larger buildings such as a strip mall and surface parking, a church, or a school. Other large areas amongst the street grid

are Mount Vernon Cemetery, Reyburn Park next to Dobbins High School, and former industrial buildings that now appear to be largely abandoned.

Figure 40: Typical minor residential street section

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

The urban fabric within the study area is based on a hierarchical street grid like most of Philadelphia. The grid is comprised of several major and minor arterial streets, residential collector streets, and many minor residential street. In addition to West Lehigh Avenue, other arterial streets within the study area are N Broad Street, N 22nd Street, N 29th Street, and N 33rd Street. Of the non-arterials, numbered north-south streets are generally wider and carry more traffic than other north-south streets with unique names. Overall, there is less variation in hierarchy of the east-west streets.

A number of major streets are bi-directional but most of these minor streets are one-way in alternating directions. The historical organization of this area is consistent with the present layout.

28|Existing Conditions

|29

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community Development

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

EXISTING CONDITIONS ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES GOALS

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Educational

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Religious Figure 43: Map depicting community assets within the boundary of West Lehigh Avenue

0 0.05 0.1

Figure 41: City Council Districts 4, 5, 8, and their locations in Philadelphia

0.2

N PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

29th Street

Sedgley Plaza Shopping Center Renovation

27th Street

Allegheny

Strawberry Mansion CDC

Miles 0.4

0.3

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Lehigh Avenue

Strawberry Mansion Homeownership

Figure 42: Projects under the Strawberry Mansion CDC

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Retail Townhome & Brownstone Renovations

ALTERNATIVES

Public Facility

ve dA

Legend

Criminal Justice Reform

Broad Street

5

Commercial assets consist of retail, food and beverage, grooming, and services such as tax and auto-repair shops. The most common of the functions is food & beverage, followed by retail. The commercial assets are located within the central area of West Lehigh Avenue, but more prominently along 22nd Street corridor.

Gun Violence Prevention

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

27th Street

ven ue ge A Rid

4

ue

Special Focuses with the Free Library of The Widener BranchCommittee Library is associated Philadelphia. This library hosts several after-school activities for children that focus on improving their reading levels, as well as different creative activities. They also provide information about different activity calendars provided by other organizations within Strawberry Mansion. However, the working hours of this library are not constant as there is a shortage of staff at times.

Lehigh Avenue

ge A ven

Along West Lehigh Avenue & 22nd Street Corridor, there are a number of commercial and community assets. The community assets consist of three public schools, an archdiocese high school, a branch of the Philadelphia Free Library, two drug rehabilitation facilities, and a large concentration of churches. The churches are reminents of the past Jewish community, as they were previously synagogues. Some of the synagogues were known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;store-frontâ&#x20AC;? synagogues because of how small their congregation was.

These were all converted into churches along West Lehigh Avenue.

8

Rid

Within the neighborhoods surrounding West Lehigh Avenue, there is only a single operational CDC: Strawberry Mansion CDC. This CDC has four projects that are ongoing: the Sedgley Plaza Shopping Center renovation, Strawberry Mansion Homeownership, and two townhome & brownstone renovation projects. Deliverance CDC is operated by Deliverance Evangelical Church located along the corridor, but there has not been any activity noted in years.

29th Street

West Lehigh Avenue is situated within three different City Council districts: District 4, 5, and 8. District 5 is led by Darrell L. Clarke, the City Council President. The City Council has three special committees that are targeting key issues within these districts: poverty reduction & prevention, gun violence prevention, and criminal justice reform. Amongst these special committees, the most influential has been criminal justice reform.

Poverty Reduction & Prevention

N

Allegheny

Food & Beverage

Grooming

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Services Figure 44: Map depicting different commercial assets within the boundary of West Lehigh Avenue

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30|Existing Conditions

|31

TWO MAJOR PARKS BUT INADEQUATE TREE COVER ELSEWHERE

EXISTING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT Distribution of West Lehigh Avenue Environmental Assets

N GOALS

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

ue

Glenwood Green Acres is the sole community garden and services the community with a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetable.

25th Street

Figure 45: Sparse tree canopy along West Lehigh Avenue

27th Street

Allegheny

29th Street ge A

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GROWING GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Rid

ALTERNATIVES

Ten percent of the corridor is covered by trees, which is low compared to Philadelphia as a whole (20%). Overall, the corridor has about 280 trees that are both native and foreign species. However, the corridor still lacks sufficient trees along its length to provide noticeable benefits to nearby residents (see Figure 48).

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

There are two major parks along West Lehigh Avenue: Reyburn Park and 29th & Chalmers Park. They contain a mix of open field space and recreational space. East Fairmount Park is located across Ridge Avenue and provides a larger green space and plethora of cultural resources such as the The Dell Music Center and the Historic Strawberry Mansion.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

As part of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program, the city plans to improve the water quality of creeks and rivers primarily through the use of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). Within the West Lehigh corridor there are six public GSI projects and two privately-owed GSI projects.

REHABILITATING VACANT LOTS THROUGH PLP

Figure 46: Glenwood Acres Community Garden is the sole community garden

Environment

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

REMEDIATION PROJECTS The corridor has five inactive underground storage tanks (UST) that contain or have contained some form of petroleum product. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), a storage site becomes inactive if the tank has been removed, permanently closed, exempted from the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, transferred to a different facility record, or otherwise removed from registration with the Department of Environmental Protection.9 It is likely that more USTs remain throughout the corridor and could pose potential threats to the environment.

Legend Water

Site Boundary

Parks

Tree Canopy

Cemetery

Railway

Public GSI Site Private GSI Site Community Garden

Figure 48: Few trees line West Lehigh Avenue (Philadelphia Water Department, City of Philadelphia) Figure 47: Reyburn Park is in need of infrastructure redevelopment

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PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

As previously noted, vacant parcels are prevalent throughout the corridor. One measure to improve their condition is the Philadelphia Landcare Program (PLP), led by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

This program works with community organizations and city agencies to rehabilitate vacant lots into green community assets. As of now, the PLP has rehabilitated 75 lots, but these lots do not always appear to be in a “clean and green” state. Compare Figure 51 and Figure 52 on page 32.

0 0.05 0.1

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0.3

Miles 0.4

32|Existing Conditions

|33

ALARMINGLY HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the area around West Lehigh Avenue has some of the highest concentrations of children with high levels of lead in their blood in the city. The immediate area surrounding the corridor has some of the highest percentages of children containing blood lead levels greater than 5 μg/dl (Figure 510). It is estimated 10%-16% of children have high blood lead levels.

Within the corridor some possible sources of lead are:3 •

Lead based paint

•

Lead plumbing

•

Legacy of leaded gasoline emissions

•

Contaminated Soils5

Legend 9.0 - 13.5%

BROWNFIELDS PRESENT BUT NOT COMMON

GOALS 0

0.225 0.45

0.9

1.35

Figure 50: Neighborhoods surrounding West Lehigh contain some of the highest percentages of children with high blood lead levels in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Department of Health) Figure 51: Philadelphia Horticulture Society’s publicized image of a restored lot.

There is one brownfield site that has undergone remediation located within the boundaries of the corridor. This proeperty has since been verified as clean and has been cleared for redevelopment in 2017.

Environment

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Figure 52: Restored vacant lots along West Lehigh are not always well maintained.

Figure 49: Strawberry Mansion has exposed active construction

1.8 Miles

ALTERNATIVES

Throughout the neighborhood, construction sites without adequate barriers for pedestrian safety are common. This lack of protection increases residents chances of getting injured on the site. Furthermore, the construction activity exposes residents to particulate matter.

Site Boundary

13.5 - 18.0%

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

INADEQUATE PROTECTION AROUND CONSTRUCTION SITES

4.5 - 9.0%

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

0 - 4.5% 4

Issues & Opportunities

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

34|Issues & Opportunities |35

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

36|Issues & Opportunities

|37

ISSUES EXISTING CONDITIONS

4. LACK OF MAINTENANCE LEADS TO POOR CONDITIONS

Issues & Opportunities

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Employment and the economic support that comes with it is foundational for a healthy community not only in an economic sense, but also in an environmental and social sense. Simply put, employed residents are more likely to be financially stable and therefore pay attention to other aspects of the community once basic needs are met.

3. LITTER PERVASIVE IN THE PUBLIC REALM Litter is a pervasive issue throughout the West Lehigh Avenue corridor and the surrounding neighborhoods. Trash collects along properties, in abandoned lots, and along the street gutter. Moreover, there did not appear to be trash cans accessible to the public along the corridor, which encourages this issue. Based on a community meeting, community members are aware of this issue and wish to address it.

are more focused on Girard Avenue and the Brewerytown area, while initiatives planned to activate the North district are largely focused on the Broad-Tioga-Germantown intersection and the Temple hospital. As the dividing line, little attention apart from the North Philadelphia Amtrak station has been paid to the Lehigh Avenue corridor, leaving its future largely unplanned and up to the unresponsive market.

GOALS

Figure 4: Litter is apparent throughout the neighborhood

Figure 2: Vacant building between empty lots

Figure 5: A metal plate remains in the road along West Lehigh Avenue

Figure 3: Vacant commercial building

Figure 6: Lead pipe

ALTERNATIVES

Figure 1: Vacant storefront and apartments above on West Lehigh Avenue

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

In the same vein as the litter issue, the West Lehigh Avenue area faces a clear lack of maintenance and thus much of both the public and private realms are in poor condition. In addition to litter, the sidewalks and street are broken up in many places and haphazardly patched back together.

There were observed instances when a metal plate, which is meant to be a temporary measure, was left as the final solution. The buildings that front Such widespread vacancy not only depresses economic investment in these sidewalks and streets are also in varying states of average to poor the neighborhood, but also can have negative environmental, social, condition with chipping paint, crumbling stairs, and general disrepair. and psychological impacts on the community. Vacant buildings and lots 5. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS HURT RESIDENTS are environmental liabilities as they continue to deteriorate without proper maintenance. Severely ignored buildings may decline to the point West Lehigh Avenue is impacted by several different types of environmental the structural stability is compromised and are in danger of collapsing. hazards, including construction hazards and lead pollution. Several sites within the study area were observed with minimal safety measures, which Similarly, vacant lots collect trash. exposes residents to construction debris, air pollution, and safety concerns.

The prevalence of empty lots and buildings are holes within the community Brownfields are generally former industrial sites that may be polluted from fabric. They can be detrimental to social interactions within the public previous uses. Without proper remediation, these sites continue to pose a realm and can dampen overall neighborhood pride. Vacancies have a health concern for residents. Perhaps one of the most substantial health negative psychological effect as they represent struggle and uncertainty. concerns in this area is lead pollution, which can be caused by drinking water in lead pipes, exposure to lead paint, or air pollution. West Lehigh 2. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INHIBITS IMPROVEMENTS Avenue is within the area of Philadelphia with the highest concentration of Neighborhoods on either side of West Lehigh Avenue have high rates of lead, well above acceptable levels. unemployment. Allegheny West has a 2017 unemployment rate of 11%, which is comparable to the city-wide average. Strawberry Mansion, on 6. LACK OF PLANNING ATTENTION UNDERLYING PROBLEM the other hand, has an unemployment rate of 30%. For comparison, the The West Lehigh Avenue corridor lies between the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North and Lower national unemployment rate in 2017 was four percent.

North planning districts. Initiatives planned for the Lower North district

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

The vacancy rate within the study area is about ten percent, which is higher than the city-wide average of four percent. This includes both vacant buildings and vacant parcels. Vacancy is apparent all through the neighborhood from the commercial area to the east, along West Lehigh Avenue itself, and throughout the residential neighborhoods. Furthermore, spaces of all land use categories are currently vacant.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

1. HIGH VACANCY RATES THROUGHOUT THE CORRIDOR

|39

2. ROBUST TRANSIT NETWORK PROVIDES ACCESS AND MOBILITY

OPPORTUNITIES

Generally, development in lower income areas can lead to gentrification and residential and commercial displacement. Due to the higher vacancy rate along the corridor, potential development would take place within vacant lots and buildings, rather than displace lower income populations.

The community would then benefit from having retail and services dispersed on each block.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

As noted previously, vacancy is an issue that plagues the neighborhoods along West Lehigh Avenue, but can also be considered an opportunity.

Addressing vacancies along the corridor both directly and indirectly has the potential to trigger additional development within the area.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

The corridor currently contains more than 70 bus stops, three train stations, and one subway station. Both SEPTA (rapid transit and regional rail) and Amtrak have service running through the area. The public transit network helps connect the surrounding neighborhoods to Center City, as City Hall is only 15 minutes away by subway via the Broad Street Line (BSL). The North Philadelphia BSL stop is also well-positioned between Temple University’s main campus to the south and its medical campus to the north, with stops near both.

1. VACANCY PRESENTS DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT

Figure 7: Vacant Lot under Construction

N

Figure 9: Septa bus line on West Lehigh Avenue ALTERNATIVES

West Lehigh Avenue is home to numerous facilities that boost community development. There are many religious institutions along the corridor.

Another asset is the Widener Branch Library, which hosts several different programs, including after-school activities. Other activities include SAT prep courses, cooking classes, and yoga sessions hosted by other community partners.

GOALS

3. NUMEROUS COMMUNITY ASSETS BRING POTENTIAL PARTNERS

Broad Street

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PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

27th Street

Lower rents and lower home prices represent an opportunity as the area has a lower bar of entry for people looking to move in. Development along the corridor would bring people into the area, filling vacancies, and bolstering the local economy. Affordability still represents a great opportunity to plan proactively with inclusionary zoning and rent stabilization to ensure that the already long-term residents are not displaced. This is a cautionary tale as this process too often leads to displacement and gentrification.

ue

29th Street

4. LOWER RENTS AND HOME PRICES OFFER AFFORDABILITY

5. BIKE NETWORK CREATES CONNECTIONS WITHOUT NEED FOR CAR Lehigh Avenue

The most direct bike path connecting the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers in North Philadelphia lies along Lehigh Avenue. Its current bike infrastructure represents an opportunity to promote active transportation, especially given the area’s low rates of car ownership.

Issues & Opportunities

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

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6. REBUILD PROGRAM KEY CATALYST IN NEIGHBORHOOD

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Figure 8: Vacancy Map

Figure 10: Widener Branch Library has several after-school programs

0.2

0.3

Miles 0.4

The city’s REBUILD initiative has selected Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center and Reyburn Park as project sites, where proceeds from the recentlyenacted beverage tax will go towards improving interior and outdoor facilities. The process is currently undergoing community engagement and design. Investments like these create opportunities to demonstrate the area’s potential and improve quality of life while building pipelines for maintaining community engagement and civic trust.

Figure 11: Low housing value could lay the foundation for affordability

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

38|Issues & Opportunities

|41

Goals

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE IS A VIBRANT, EQUITABLE, AND ACTIVE CORRIDOR SUPPORTED BY IMPACTFUL PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS NEIGHBORHOODS.

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

40|Goals

GOALS

42|Goals

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1. IS AN ACTIVE MIXED-USE CORRIDOR

Figure 1: Storefronts, outdoor seating, and bikeshare activates corridor

Goals

ALTERNATIVES PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

With a solid base of current community assets that include houses of worship, schools, and a relatively new public library, West Lehigh Avenue has the potential to attract other cultural, economic, and educational assets. Creating a safe and attractive community environment is important for such assets and additional funding may be necessary for impactful programming. Ideally, current community assets will remain in the area and grow within the community to meet residents’ needs effectively.

Figure 2: Access to public transit is key

Figure 3: Protected bike lanes would promote access via biking

In 15 years, residents of all ages will have access to a wide range of social activities throughout the corridor. Elderly and active-minded people will chat while exercising in Reyburn Park. School-aged children will play around in the playscapes near their schools. The local economy will start to thrive as more small businesses open up. People become more comfortable walking and biking along the corridor with less worry of tripping over litter or getting hit by automobiles. Both residents and visitors will find the corridor attractive as they easily navigate around the area and discover meaningful events all along the corridor.

Figure 5: A clean environment contributes to the success of the corridor

Figure 6: Widener Library is a strong community asset to build upon

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

AFTER THIS PLAN...

3. IS ATTRACTIVE AND WELCOMING TO VISITORS AND RESIDENTS WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Figure 4: Both visitors and residents will enjoy walking down West Lehigh Ave.

5. HAS A PLETHORA OF CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND EDUCATIONAL ASSETS

The urban context within which West Lehigh Avenue is situated provides ample opportunities for improving access by public transportation, biking, and walking to create a place independent of personal vehicles. With Amtrak, regional rail, and a subway line in close proximity to West Lehigh Avenue, transit connections are plentiful.

Additional attention and resources for cleanup and maintenance sets the stage for creating an attractive environment. Once the basics are covered, it is easier to incorporate new uses and provide continued support of existing uses to generate a well-functioning and attractive environment.

This balanced atmosphere attracts visitors as well as residents, so capitalizing on the surrounding transportation resources is key. Equally important is implementing a legible wayfinding system to direct both

At the foundation of all these goals is the objective of creating a clean and safe environment. Cleaning up litter and installing infrastructure to prevent future littering emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and empowers residents to continue the efforts on their own. A cleaner and more orderly environment is more likely to be attractive to additional investment, which will fill building and parcel vacancies. More eyes on the street will generate a safer environment, and there is the potential to create a cyclical effect.

GOALS

4. IS A CLEAN AND SAFE CORRIDOR

2. IS ACCESSIBLE AND PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY

Furthermore, buses currently traverse West Lehigh Avenue and N 22nd Street. Although there are very few bike lanes now, there are several streets within the neighborhood that could accommodate such infrastructure to improve bike connections to neighboring areas. Lastly, improving the pedestrian realm – from cracked sidewalks to street trees to trashcans and street furniture – would promote pedestrian activity and would be transformational.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

visitors and residents throughout the corridor. Through these steps, West Lehigh Avenue can truly grow to become an attractive and welcoming place for everyone.

In order to unify the surrounding neighborhoods, West Lehigh Avenue must be a place that neighborhood residents want to go to. Providing a mix of retail, restaurants, commercial uses, community and social services, and residential units will draw residents and visitors to the corridor. Ultimately, such mix of uses and services will support a more active and attractive, as well as useful, environment.

Currently there is a high vacancy rate and high unemployment rate (especially in Strawberry Mansion), but these issues are also opportunities for future development. Development can include renovating existing buildings (addressing building vacancy) or building new structures (addressing vacant lots). With rents currently lower than much of Philadelphia, there are opportunities to begin such work affordably. Concurrently, policy work and community building will complement these physical improvements.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE:

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Alternatives

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

The Neighborhood Activity Magnet alternative focuses on improving the quality of residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives around the corridor by building more neighborhood and community assets.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

The Temple & The People alternative capitalizes on the regional rail connection and brings in external investments to gradually stimulate corridor-wide development.

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

The Green Corridor alternative focuses on creating green spaces that not only develop clean and attractive streetscapes but also ensure the sustainability of vegetation and local environment.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

44|Alternatives

ALTERNATIVES

46|Alternatives

|47

Alternatives

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Urban agriculture is introduced as a strategy to create a market for a new local economy that does not currently exist. There will be a variety of different garden types: small private, large communal, and hydroponic.

Larger building and land parcels, such as those to the east, will be transformed into hydroponic facilities and urban farms, respectively.

Vacant parcels in the commercial districts of Lehigh and 22nd Street will be reformed into produce markets, similar to the rendering to the right (Figure 2). Creating a central produce market will provide direct access to community garden food, support farmers economically, and support a healthier community through better access to nutritious food. Bioremediation will further improve environmental conditions of vacant lots.

Mt. Peace Cemetery

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

ReďŹ&#x201A;ection garden of pollinator plants across from church

29 & Chalmers Park

Lehigh Avenue

Fairmount Park

Glennwood Green Acres

2

ue

3

Figure 1: West Lehigh Avenue is transformed into a green corridor that inlcudes additional parks, community gardens, a hydroponic facility, and a community produce market all linked together by a bike lane and pollinator spaces throughout.

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Commmunity garden, produce market Community park

ALTERNATIVES

Reyburn Park

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Pollinator educational center nearby tech school

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PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

2. URBAN AGRICULTURE PROVIDES ECONOMIC & HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES

Mt. Laurel Cemetery

2

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

This strategy recognizes that healthy vegetation growth can only be achieved by planting native pollinator plants along the corridor. These pollinator spaces will unify the corridor, provide a distinct identity, and support urban agriculture and overall plant health. The installation of DIY tire planters planted with native pollinator plants on the street will create a protected bike lane, ensuring a thriving and safe corridor. In addition, vacant buildings in proximity to schools and libraries will be rehabilitated into spaces to learn about the importance of green space and pollinators.

Further, parcels nearby the numerous churches along the corridor will be small reflection gardens with self-sustaining native vegetation and benches.

Hydroponic building

1

A key concept of this alternative is creating a cohesive and safe connection to Fairmount Park. Visual connections will include banner flags on lightposts, wayfinding signage, and select pavement painting to ensure pedestrians and bicyclists can navigate their way successfully. The planter protected bike lane along West Lehigh Avenue will turn south down 33rd Street onto existing bike infrastructure in order to deliver bicyclists safely to the closest recreational entry point. This alternative also aims to create more park infrastructure along West Lehigh Avenue itself, which is a densely populated neighborhood. These parks would replace vacant lots and structurally unstable buildings to provide welcoming spaces for the community.

N

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

STRATEGIES: 1. POLLINATOR CORRIDOR CONNECTS AND SUPPORTS

25th Street

GOAL 5: CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC ASSETS

27th Street

GOAL 4: CLEAN & SAFE

29th Street

GOAL 3: ATTRACTIVE & WELCOMING

Fairmount Park Connection

GOAL 2: ACCESSIBLE & PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY

Rid ge A ven ue

GOAL 1: ACTIVE MIXED-USE CORRIDOR

GOALS

3. ADDITIONAL AND IMPROVED PARKS INCREASE OPEN SPACE

GOAL ASSESSMENT:

EXISTING CONDITIONS

ALTERNATIVE 1: GREEN CORRIDOR

Disclaimer: This map highlights a few points of intervention, though every vacancy is intended to be addressed by one or a combination of the highlighted themes and corresponding strategies

Figure 2: A vacant lot on West Lehigh Avenue supports community gardens next to the produce market and along the bike lane with pollinator plants.

48|Alternatives

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GOAL 4: CLEAN & SAFE

GOAL 5: CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC ASSETS

A Botany-500 Building

Building Renovation Student Housing Mixed Use Apartment

STRATEGIES: 1. FULFILL STUDENT HOUSING NEEDS WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT Temple University is in need of more on-campus housing. In recent years, around 20% of Temple students live on campus. However, such comparatively low percentage of students (compared to 51% of Penn students who live on campus) has already taken up more than 90% of the Temple’s housing capacity. The eastern end of West Lehigh Avenue is directly accessible to Temple’s main campus and medical campus via transit, and the Botany 500 building could be transformed into mixed-use loft apartments. This high-rise building can be used for student dorms or guest rooms for short-term visitors (visiting scholars, parents, etc.).

2. TEMPLE STADIUM AS ECONOMIC STIMULUS Temple University is currently looking for space to locate a newly proposed stadium, and this could be an unprecedented opportunity to introduce this recognized university as a major stakeholder to revitalize West Lehigh Avenue. The North Philadelphia train station, with its rich public transportation resources and ample open space for both visitors and residents, is a competitive location to place the new stadium. By locating the stadium in currently underdeveloped lots, potentially negative externalities can be reduced and the entire area will be rehabilitated.

Area of interest

Alternatives

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Surface Parking

Station Plaza City Park

Temple Main Campus

C Gas Station & Garage Transformation Stadium Construction City Park

Figure 3: West Lehigh Avenue is located between Temple’s Main Campus and Medical Campus along the Broad Street Line.

By introducing a series of strategies to balance the needs of Temple and the local community, the eastern end of West Lehigh Avenue will be restored to a central commercial area that provides jobs, transit, housing, and community public space, as well as critical community assets.

D

Figure 5: Current uses of four key sites within the eastern end of West Lehigh Avenue N

Share of living-on-campus students

Temple -

51% 19%

Housing Occupancy

Temple Penn 93.5%

20% students living within university takes up 90%+ housing capacity

Long-term Development Zone

A destination for many short-term visitors, including visiting scholars, student parents and tourists

2019

3. CENTRAL PLAZA TRANSFORMS EMPTY PARKING LOT To further improve the built environment and provide vibrant space for stadium users and apartment residents, the underutilized parking lot in front of the 500 Botany building will be transformed into a pedestrian plaza that is lined with commercial venues. Rezoning some adjacent parcels from residential to commercial is needed, and the plaza will serve locals, Temple students, and visitors.

B

A Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) will be established to ensure the stadium development is equally beneficial to the existing community. At least 70% of the on-site jobs must pay a living wage for local residents, and Temple will provide continual educational programming, job-training programs, and small business training at the Widener Library. The community will have access to the stadium for events and practice, and there will also be investment in Rayburn Park and other community recreation needs. Last but not least, there will be restrictions on Temple’s expansion to protect existing residents. For example, Temple will not expand further west than 17th Street. The CBA will also look for commitments from Temple to support existing retail and housing in the community.

Figure 4: Although Temple houses a smaller percentage of students on-campus compared to other universities, it continues to face a need for on-campus housing.

1

3

4

Housing needs

EXISTING CONDITIONS

GOAL 3: ATTRACTIVE & WELCOMING

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

GOAL 2: ACCESSIBLE & PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

GOAL 1: ACTIVE MIXED-USE CORRIDOR

4. COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT MITIGATES DEVELOPMENT EXTERNALITIES

Building Renovation Station Plaza

GOALS

GOAL ASSESSMENT:

North Philadelphia Train Station

ALTERNATIVES

Temple Medical Campus

2

CBA-Aiding Zone

Short-term Development Zone

Figure 6: This alternative focuses first on the Short-term Development Zone and then expands to the Long-term Development Zones and CBA-Aiding Zone.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ALTERNATIVE 2: TEMPLE & THE PEOPLE

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In the central zone of the corridor, there are fences on both sides of West Lehigh Avenue, making the pedestrian feel both trapped and unwelcome.

One fence borders a church, while the other borders a public park.

Lowering or completely removing the fence along the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge will physcially and psychologically remove a barrier between the park and the community. In addition, sidewalks will be repaired and become more ADA accessible for pedestrians. An increase in street lamps will also create a safer environment at night.

GOAL 2: ACCESSIBLE & PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY

GOAL 3: ATTRACTIVE & WELCOMING

GOAL 4: CLEAN & SAFE

GOAL 5: CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC ASSETS

STRATEGIES: 1. NIGHT AT THE MOVIES SUPPORTS COMMUNITY A vacant parcel near the railroad bridge crossing West Lehigh Avenue serves as a site for a proposed movie theater. Modeled after a Community Land Trust in Missouri, the non-profit movie theater will have 4-5 screens.

It would provide jobs for local residents, revitalize an area near a large distressed industrial building, and provide space for the community to gather and circulate money through the local economy.

Figure 7: Missouri precedent 24:1 Cinema

The railroad bridge between 18th and 19th Street separates the corridor physically and psychologically, as well. To bring the neighborhood together, community engagement through street art along the walls, ceilings, and sidewalk under the bridge is proposed. The underpass will also be illuminated by LED lights to enhance pedestrian safety.

Due to a generally inadequate tree canopy in the neighborhood, a new policy will be implemented making future building permits contingent on the addition of sidewalk trees by the owner/developer. Other locations for

Figure 10: A pedestrian-friendly street in San Francisco street trees are pedestrian islands. This expansion of the tree canopy along the street will also have the effect of slowing vehicular traffic by creating a more visually narrow environment for drivers.

2. FOOD ON WHEELS PROVIDES BUSINEES OPPORTUNITIES

Alternatives

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Broad Street

17th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

27th Street

29th Street

As the only active Community Development Corporation near West Lehigh Avenue, Strawberry Mansion CDC is currently located on the southern edge of Strawberry Mansion. Relocating the CDC to the former Widener Library directly on West Lehigh Avenue creates an ease of access for all residents from the surrounding neighborhoods to reach the CDC. This relocation also brings volunteers closer to further support the health clinic and the library, which are both already on West Lehigh Avenue and constantly face staff shortages. The Strawberry Mansion CDC will be funded through a Community Development Block Grant.

ven ue

Figure 8: Food Truck Park

3. CDC RELOCATION & FUNDING ENSURES STABILITY

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

N

Allegheny

Rid ge A

To create a thriving atmosphere and utilize underused space, the parking lot on 22nd Street and West Lehigh Avenue serves as a potential space to cultivate local food truck businesses. Numerous food truck lots in Portland, Oregon serve as successful precedents. Additionally, communities in Colorado have held food festivals near food trucks to encourage community engagement as well. This proposal will attract both residents of the community, as well as visitors from neighboring areas of Philadelphia to the corridor.

Lehigh Avenue

2

3 Current State of Parking 4 Lot

1

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

GOAL 1: ACTIVE MIXED-USE CORRIDOR

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

GOAL ASSESSMENT:

GOALS

4. SAFE SIDEWALKS CREATE SAFE WALKS

Current Bridge Underpass on West Lehigh Avenue

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Figure 9: Strawberry Mansion CDC current location and proposed location

ALTERNATIVES

ALTERNATIVE 3: NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITY MAGNET

EXISTING CONDITIONS

50|Alternatives

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Precedent: Krog Street Covvvered in Art.

Figure 11: This alternative brings new uses to specific sites to strengthen the community economically, socially, and environmentally.

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0.3

Miles 0.4

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

52|Plan Recommendations |53

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

54|Plan Recommendations

Prior to any recommendation, a new, autonomous community development corporation (CDC) will be established. This CDC, referred to as “West Lehigh CDC”, will be responsible for the entire corridor. With a third of the board consisting of corridor residents, the CDC is the ideal organization type to facilitate direct community involvement. This organization is preferable to a business improvement district because existing business owners would not bear the cost of maintaining a CDC. The CDC will be staffed by 3-5 fulltime people and will be the main coordinator in the implementation of the following recommended projects.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Corridor- Wide

- Trash cans + clean ups - Sidewalk improvements - Vacancy transformation into green space - Two-way pollinator planter protected bike lane - Wayfinding signage system

GOALS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

WEST LEHIGH CDC

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ALTERNATIVES

4

4

17

12

15

14

13

10

19

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

14. New CDC Location 15. Community Produce Market 16. Volunteer Support @ Widener Library 17. Chalmers Park Improvements 18. Oakdale Community Garden Park 19. Connection to Fairmount Park

West Figure 1: Overview map of recommendations

10. Reyburn Park Improvements 11. Food Truck Plaza 12. Playscape 13. Educational and Reflective Pollinator Gardens

Central

9

7

6

3 5 1

1. Temple Stadium 2. Botany 500 Building Revonation 3. Stadium Plaza 4. Temple Specific Wayfinding 5. Playgrounds 6. Lighting Improvement @ Railway Underpasses 7. Movie Theatre 8. Greened Crossing 9. Hydroponics Facility

East

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

16

18

8

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

2 11

7’

14’

7’

28’ ROW

56|Plan Recommendations

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Broad Street

17th Street

22nd Street

25th Street

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Rid

27th Street

Designated Bikeway

n Ave

29th Street

ue

Conventional Bike Lane

20th Street

Pollinator Planter Protected Bike Lane

city’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian plan named 29th, 22nd, 15th, and 13th Streets, as well as Glenwood Avenue as designated bikeways that are targeted for bike friendly infrastructure in the near future. Figure 3 (below) highlights elements of designated bikeways elsewhere in Philadelphia.

Typical West Lehigh Ave. Section Proposed Lehigh Seperated Lanes Section

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

N

Legend

EXISTING CONDITIONS

ALL ALONG THE CORRIDOR

Sidewalk Improvements Proposed Indego Station

15’ 15’

Trash Cans

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Figure 2: Recommendations that span the entire West Lehigh Avenue corridor

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

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As was noted in Alternative #3, the sidewalk from Broad Street to 22nd Street along Lehigh Avenue needs improvements. There are many cracks which render it out of ADA compliance and make it difficult to maneuverer for anyone

15’ 15’

84’ ROW

Redone green space

Litter is one of the major issues and will be addressed in two ways. As is shown in Figure 2, trash cans are to be added at at least four locations along the corridor. These locations were chosen based upon the level of pedestrian traffic and proximity to new interventions. For example, a trash can is proposed for 22nd Street and Lehigh Avenue since a food truck park is being recommended.

Big Belly trash cans, which compact trash with solar energy, are the ideal recommendation, but given their higher price point, it is recommended that only one Big Belly is piloted. If it is successful, the others can also be converted to Big Belly cans.

11’ 7’ 11’ 9’ 4’ 11’84’ ROW 11’ 8’ 3’ 5’

Figure 4: Existing West Lehigh Avenue layout includes bicycle lanes in either direction with little protection for bicyclist from drivers or opening car doors

New green space

Though the area has multiple, distinct zones, some recommendations are intended to be carried out throughout the entire corridor.

P

P

8’ 4’ 5’ 3’ 8’

in a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, etc. The sidewalks will be improved to serve these people and demonstrate that Lehigh Avenue is a pleasant corridor that welcomes everyone.

There are nine new green spaces proposed throughout the corridor. The specific recommended uses for each space will be described in more detail in the following sections for each zone of West Lehigh Avenue, as they are specific to surrounding land uses. The two parks on the corridor will also be reimagined to fully utilize their green space and to make them more welcoming.

On the note of parks, it is highly recommended that a safe pedestrian and bike route is highlighted throughout the West Lehigh Avenue corridor to Fairmount Park via 33rd Street. This can be achieved by two interventions: a redesigned and expanded bike network and cohesive, distinct way-finding signage.

There are existing bike lanes along Lehigh Avenue and along 33rd Street, but that is the current extent of bike infrastructure within the area. However, the

Figure 3: Bikeways will be designated with signs and pavement markings, which is consistent with the city’s proposal for 13th Street and 15th Street in South Philadelphia As it exists today, bicyclists using the West Lehigh Avenue bike lane to get to Fairmount Park might take it all the way to Ridge Avenue where the biker is met with speeding cars and no designated space to proceed to a park entrance.

Therefore, it is recommended that bicyclists are directed south along the 33rd Street bicycle lane through clear signage and the redesign of the West Lehigh Avenue bike lanes.

The redesign of the West Lehigh Aveune bike lanes will require a full re-striping of the roadway to accomodate a two-way cycle track along the south side of the corridor (Figure 4 and Figure 5). DIY tire planters (already found throughout the surrounding neighborhoods) form a protective barrier between drivers and bikers and provides an aesthetic unique to this area.

13'

7’

10'

10'

7'

13'

60’ ROW

P Section P Typical Minor Street 15’

8’

11’

11’

8’

4’ 6’

6’

15’

84’ ROW

Figure 5: Proposed West Lehigh Avenue layout shifts bike lanes to the south side and protects bicyclists with a buffer that features DIY tire planters.; driving and parking lanes are maintained but the central turning lane is removed 7’

14’

7’

ALTERNATIVES

Lehigh Avenue

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Wayfinding Signage

GOALS

Existing Indego Station

58|Plan Recommendations

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EAST ZONE: TEMPLE PARTNERSHIP

29th and Chalmers Park

Entrance to Fairmount

Oakdale Community Garden 29th Street

Widener Library 22nd and Lehigh:

27th Street

Historic Lehigh

Fairmount Park

25th Street

29th and Chalmers Park

Lehigh Downtown

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Widener Library

22nd Street

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20th Street

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Produce Market

17th and Lehigh:

W

Fairmount Park

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S

22nd St. Commercial Corridor

Lehigh Community Entrance

E

17th Street

Temple

Reyburn Park 10 cm

Broad Street

W. Lehigh Movie Theater 100 cm 60 cm

N

The east section of West Lehigh Avenue from 16th Street to 20th Street is currently characterized by neglect. There is no activation of the street, and few people make the journey through the railroad underpass between 18th Street and 19th Street.

4

4

The following interventions are intended to elevate this section of West Lehigh Avenue to the level of other successful mixed-use corridors in Philadelphia: 1.) Temple Specific Wayfinding

5.) Playgrounds

2.) Temple Stadium

6.) Underpass Mural and Lighting

3.) Botany 500 Student Housing

7.) Movie Theatre

4.) Stadium Plaza

8.) Greened Crossing

9.) Hydroponics Facility

2 8

E

2’

W

Temple

Rid

28th and Lehigh:

.2 mi

29th and Chalmers Park

.1 mi

29th Street 27th Street 25th Street

22nd Street

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Commercial Core 20th Street

Widener Library

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Lehigh Downtown

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Nature and Neighborhood

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22nd St. Commercial Corridor

Oakdale Community Garden

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22nd Street

Reyburn Park

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20th Street

Fairmount Park

29th & Chalmers Park

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W. Lehigh Movie Theater

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22nd and Lehigh: N

Lehigh Avenue

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28th and Lehigh:

17th Street

Temple Territory

E

Temple stadium

6

Reyburn Park

27th Street

22nd St. Commercial Corridor

1

Figure 8: Overview of interventions within the eastern portion of the corridor

Produce Market

29th Street

5

East

Broad Street

Temple

25th Street

Historic Lehigh

3

1. Temple Stadium 2. Botany 500 Building Revonation 3. Stadium Plaza 4. Temple Specific Wayfinding 5. Playgrounds 6. Lighting Improvement @ Railway Underpasses 7. Movie Theatre 8. Greened Crossing 9. Hydroponics Facility

Temple Temple

7

9

The recommendations for this section of the West Lehigh Avenue corridor most closely address the goals of being accessible and pedestrian friendly, and having a plethora of cultural, economic, and educational assets.

17th and Lehigh:

17th Street

240 cm

As the two way bike lane is recommended on the south side of Lehigh, so too is the way-finding signage. In addition to the oval signs, the corresponding text signs will be installed at four key locations indicated on the maps of the oval signs. The text signs will also be back-to-back so that travelers in either direction benefit from them. Lastly, these signs complement the oval map signs by giving direct destinations and telling travelers how far away that destination is.

Heading East...

Broad Street

5 cm

The oval signs illustrated in Figure 6 to the left will be placed back-to-back all along the corridor so that pedestrians and bikers traveling in either direction will have a map oriented in their direction of travel. These signs were largely adapted from the Walk Philadelphia signage program, so resident may already be familiar with the layout, which will improve legibility.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

ge

OVERVIEW

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Lehigh Avenue

Fairmount Park

Installing a way-finding signage system along West Lehigh Avenue not only helps residents and visitors navigate the corridor, but also provides a visual identity to the area and shows the corridor is a destination. The network of brightly colored signs will highlight the neighborhood’s gathering spot, point out the corridor’s attractions, and emphasize its connection to Fairmount Park.

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Rid

ge

Lehigh Avenue

Widener Library Entrance to Fairmount

33rd and Lehigh:

5’4” 4’6”

Temple 22nd St. Commercial Corridor Widener Library 29th and Chalmers Park

You are HERE

Oakdale Community Garden

Figure 6: Scheme of way-finding signage; oval signs are to be placed mid block and rectangular signs are to be placed on the southeast corner of its respective intersection

Figure 7: Scaled wayfinding signage

is an active, mixeduse corridor.

is an accessible and pedestrian friendly corridor.

is attractive and welcoming to residents & visitors.

is a clean & safe corridor.

GOALS

Rid

has a plethora of cultural, economic & educational assets.

ALTERNATIVES

28th and Lehigh:

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Fairmount Park

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Heading West...

33rd and Lehigh:

60|Plan Recommendations

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Temple Housing

N

Broad St.

Indiana Ave. Owls’ Stadium

Central Plaza

Lehigh Ave.

Student Housing

Central Plaza

Owls’ Stadium

Figure 9: Temple Stadium will be a source of living wage employment

Figure 11: Temple specific wayfinding scaled

DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION LIVING WAGE EMPLOYMENT

STADIUM FOR PUBLIC USE

WEST LEHIGH CDC + TEMPLE PARTNERSHIP

NEW PUBLIC PLAZA

INCREASE JOB TRAINING

MORE VOLUNTEER STAFF AT KEY INSTITUTIONS NEW BUSINESS FOR LOCAL STORES

Figure 10: Benefits resulting from the Temple and West Lehigh partnership

Within this proposal, lies the concern that Temple will endlessly expand alongside the corridor. To prevent this, a core component of the CBA will be that Temple cannot expand west of 17th Street within the corridor’s boundaries. Furthermore, West Lehigh CDC will partner with the Community Justice Land Trust to purchase vacant housing lots and buildings along the corridor, especially around the stadium. The organization will hold these lots and construct affordable housing on these parcels if rent and mortgages starts to exponentially increase.

4. TEMPLE SPECIFIC WAYFINDING It is to be expected that the new Temple campus on West Lehigh Avenue will engender new riders going to and getting on at the North Philadelphia Amtrak station. This service will be especially useful during football games, graduation ceremonies, and move-in/move-out for students residing in the Botany 500 building.

Figure 12: Wayfinding map to be placed at the North Philadelphia Amtrak station These new riders may be unfamiliar with the area, so Temple specific wayfinding signage be placed so such riders can navigate from the station to the Temple stadium area. The map will be placed at the North Philadelphia station and the arrow sign will be placed at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Broad Street.

ALTERNATIVES

To Temple Stadium

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

4’8”

You are here

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

6’2” Temple Stadium

240 cm

GOALS

Food and Drink enue West Lehigh Av

eet Str

Plan Recommendations

Student Housing

Central Plaza

h

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Food and Drink

Lehigh Ave.

3. STADIUM PLAZA In addition, Temple will purchase the parking lot on 15th Street and West Lehigh Avenue and transform this space into a public plaza. The CBA will negotiate for the public plaza to contain a mix of local restaurants and commercial outlets that will extend along 15th Street. This arrangement would create new businesses and jobs on the corridor as well as secure new revenue for West Lehigh Avenue business owners. The corridor will benefit from a central place where people can gather, relax, and socialize.

The Plaza will require the acquisition of four residential buildings on 15th Street, but displacement will not occur. West Lehigh CDC will negotiate carefully through the CBA for the developer to provide housing funds for these four homes to relocate anywhere within the corridor.

emple Stadium

You are here To Temple Stadium

t 15

Temple University needs more off-campus housing for students. The Botany 500 building provides a suitable space for residential dwellings and new restaurants on the ground floor.

2’6”

1’

60 cm

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Commercial Strip

Broad St.

Indiana Ave.

N

Before any construction takes place, West Lehigh CDC will work carefully with the residents of West Lehigh Avenue and Strawberry Mansion CDC to establish a contract that details a range of community benefits that Temple will be committed to provide in exchange for the development’s approval.

This type of contract is known as a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).

The CBA could include provisions requiring Temple to ensure 70% of the on-site jobs pay a living wage for local hires and coordinates public use of the stadium for after school activities and ceremonies. In addition, the CBA could include other benefits that would span across the whole corridor such as partnering with Widener Library and community organizations to provide more assistance through qualified student volunteers and interns. As a result, the CBA will set the stage for equitable development.

2. STUDENT HOUSING

4’

2’2”

Temple University has been trying to find an ideal location to establish a new football stadium that will be developed in manner that will mutually beneficial to the neighboring community. West Lehigh Avenue and Broad Street provide an ideal location for the Owls stadium because the area’s multiple transit options makes the site easily accessible. This development will not only provide Temple a prized stadium, but also help meet the needs and desires of West Lehigh Avenue residents as well.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

1. TEMPLE STADIUM

62|Plan Recommendations

|63

CENTRAL ZONE : PUBLIC CORE

7. MOVIE THEATRE To provide an affordable and fun activity on the corridor, West Lehigh CDC will build a movie theater on the vacant parcel between 19th Street and the railway. The parcel will first be secured by a community land

Movie Theatre Greened Crossing

9. HYDROPONIC FACILITY This section of Lehigh Avenue has plenty of previously industrial, now vacant property. Such parcels facing the corridor are a priority to be transformed into an active use. This includes the parcel called out to be a hydroponic facility. If the hydroponics business becomes a success, it is possible the owner could expand to other vacant industrial buildings in the area, which are also spacious enough for hydroponic growing.

Hydroponics Building

EXISTING CONDITIONS ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

The triangular parcel on the west side of the underpass bordered by West Lehigh Avenue, West Sedgley Avenue, and 19th Street is currently a bare concrete pedestrian island. It is recommended that the Streets Department transforms this space into a green pollinator space to continue the theme of pollinators running across the entire corridor. Adding vegetation would improve the pedestrian experience on this parcel by adding a layer of protection between them and passing vehicles.

The central zone features a concentration of public facilities and public activities. The Dobbins Technical High School generates a lot of uses around it, making this place a vibrant node of public, social life.

There are four recommendations for this section:

10.) Reyburn Park Improvements

11.) Food Truck Plaza

12.) Playscape on Somerset Street

13.) Educational and Reflective Pollinator Gardens

12

13

New workout facilities and playgrounds will be added to Reyburn Park in coordination with the ongoing REBUILD initiative. On the vacant lots at West Lehigh and 23rd Street, there will be reflection gardens. A few of the houses and their residents will be relocated to create a continuous green space that can be used for educational purposes by the Dobbins Technical High School and the St. Martin de Porres School. A part of the parking lot at 22nd Street and West Lehigh Avenue will be rented for food truck businesses. Lastly, a section of Somerset Street and the vacant lots along it will be turned into a playscape for children.

GOALS

As previously mentioned, the underpass is a stressful hazard as it exists currently. It is highly recommended that lighting be installed. It is also recommended that the Mural Arts Program is called upon to collaborate with community members to create a mural inside the underpass and extending outward to invite people through.

8. GREENED CROSSING

OVERVIEW

11 10

10. Reyburn Park Improvements 11. Food Truck Plaza 12. Playscape 13. Educational and Reflective Pollinator Gardens

The recommendations for this section of the corridor most closely address the goals of being an active mixed use corridor and having a plethora of cultural, economic, and educational assets.

Underpass Lighting and Mural

Central

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Figure 14: Overview of interventions within the central portion of the corridor

Figure 13: Rendering showing recommendations for the east section, west of the underpass

is an active, mixed-use corridor.

is an accessible and pedestrian friendly corridor.

is attractive and welcoming to residents & visitors.

is a clean & safe corridor.

ALTERNATIVES

6. UNDERPASS MURAL AND LIGHTING

trust, and then the movie theater will be built and operated as a non-profit to ensure cheap movie tickets for local residents.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Two parcels in the eastern end of the corridor are intended to be transformed into playgrounds for kids ages 3-6 and 7-10. Currently, these are Clean and Green lots with no other amenities. This transformation is mainly intended to serve the two day care centers within this corridor section, providing them with a designated outdoor space to take the kids. The two playgrounds will retain the white fence from the Clean and Green Program, and behind the fence will be pollinator plantings to provide partial seclusion. The play sets will be in the middle of the lot with benches in the back for guardians to watch the children playing.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

6. PLAYGROUNDS

has a plethora of cultural, economic & educational assets.

10. REYBURN PARK IMPROVEMENTS

11. FOOD TRUCK PARK

12. PLAYSCAPE ON SOMERSET STREET

Reyburn Park is the largest green open space along the West Lehigh Avenue corridor, so adding more exercise facilities and playgrounds to the park will encourage more residents to come to the park, have social interactions with other people, and stay healthy. Improvements will also include a loop path throughout the park and adding a splash pad in the southern corner of the park by 22nd Street. These interventions will help improve the appeal of Reyburn Park to a broader demographic and age range of residents and visitors.

The intersection between 22nd Street and West Lehigh Avenue is a public life core within the surrounding neighborhoods. There are multiple kinds of public facilities located near this intersection, including a high school, several churches, Reyburn Park and a McDonalds. 22nd Street is also a main commercial street, which makes this intersection the busiest place along West Lehigh Avenue.

Currently there is a lack of open space for school-age children and seating for pedestrians. A new playscape for school-aged children, as well as other spaces that encourage pedestrian activities, will be built along Somerset Street on vacant lots. Adding more spaces dedicated to pedestrian activities will help make the corridor more attractive.

Loop Path Splash Pad

Exercise Equipment

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Figure 18: Pollinator garden for reflection

Figure 17: Food trucks arranged around a central seating area and new green space

GOALS ALTERNATIVES

Soccer Field

Various vacant lots along the West Lehigh Avenue corridor can be transformed into pollinator gardens for multiple purposes depending on the location of these lots. For instance, a pollinator garden can serve educational purposes near a school, or be designed as more of a reflection garden when near a church.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Figure 16: Sample of outdoor exercise facilities

However, the current parking lot that overwhelms the northeast corner of this intersection is underutilized. Therefore, a redesign is proposed to make better use of the surrounding public resources and activate the area.

A food truck park will be introduced to create a central place without large development impacts on the community. Part of the underused parking lot will host food trucks arranged around a central seating area. Additional green space is also included to reduce the amount of pavement.

13. POLLINATOR GARDENS

Figure 19: Sample of a playscape built on a vacant lot

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Figure 15: Improvements to Reyburn Park will increase the number of users

1

EXISTING CONDITIONS

|65

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

64|Plan Recommendations

66|Plan Recommendations

|67

14. NEW CDC LOCATION

The most western portions of West Lehigh Avenue terminate at the crossroads between Mount Vernon Cemetery and Laurel Hill Cemetery.

The area is largely residential with few commercial buildings still in use along West Lehigh Avenue. The Ethel Allen School occupies the largest non-park parcel in the area, while the southern edge of Lehigh Avenue is abutted by alternating blocks of two and three-story rowhouses.

The old Widener Library at 2533 West Lehigh Avenue will be refurbished to be the home of the new West Lehigh CDC. This location was chosen as it is fairly central for the whole corridor, central within the commercial poriton of the corridor, and for its connection to the community as the old library.

The goal is that this location will eventually lead to the revitalization of this stretch of the corridor after improvements such as the protected bike lane, sidewalk improvements, and the produce market just a block away.

17

14

15. COMMUNITY PRODUCE MARKET A produce market will run in the vacant lot between 26th Street and 27th Street on the north side of West Lehigh Avenue once a week from May through Thanksgiving. This park doubles as a pollinator park. Stalls will be built in the back for those special farmer’s market days. Stalls will be reserved both for local residents who grow at the new Oakdale garden or Glenwood Green Acres as well as the newfound hydroponic growers. A chalkboard will be installed on a wall facing the market/park for children to use and for growers to advertise their products.

14. New CDC Location 15. Community Produce Market 16. Volunteer Support @ Widener Library 17. Chalmers Park Improvements 18. Oakdale Community Garden Park 19. Connection to Fairmount Park

16. Volunteer Support @ Widener Library 17. 29th & Chalmers Park Improvements 18. Oakdale Community Garden Park 19. Connection to Fairmount Park The recommendations for this section of the corridor most closely address the goals of being attractive and welcoming to residents and visitors, as well as being a clean and safe corridor.

16. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT @ WIDENER LIBRARY

West

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Figure 20: Overview of interventions within the west portion of the corridor

is an active, mixed-use corridor.

is an accessible and pedestrian friendly corridor.

Figure 21: Old Widener library, now vacant, to be transformed into the new CDC’s headquarters ALTERNATIVES

19

14. New CDC Location 15. Community Produce Market

GOALS

15

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

16

18

is attractive and welcoming to residents & visitors.

is a clean & safe corridor.

The new Widener Library is a key community asset but currently faces staffing shortages. To improve the function of the library, volunteers will be organized to fill shifts and ensure regular hours of operations.

Volunteers will come from the surrounding community and also from a program established with Temple as part of its stadium CBA. The new West Lehigh CDC.

Figure 22: West Lehigh Avenue’s farmer’s market will pop up once a week in season

has a plethora of cultural, economic & educational assets.

Figure 23: Widener Library’s programs, most of which are canceled due to understaffing

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

This plan focuses on making the corridor more attractive and welcoming to both residents and visitors, while making the area clean and safe. The plan strengthens the corridor’s connection to Fairmount Park and better engages residents with existing green spaces along the corridor. Three key initiatives mark the Park Gateway end of the corridor:

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

OVERVIEW

EXISTING CONDITIONS

WEST ZONE: PUBLIC GATEWAY

18. OAKDALE COMMUNITY GARDEN PARK

19. CONNECTION TO FAIRMOUNT PARK

Chalmers Park is a 20-acre park complete with two basketball courts, a playground, playground building, and gazebo set within mostly grassy space. Facilities at Chalmers Park will be in need of repairs in the near future. In addition to necessary maintenance to the existing playground building, basketball courts, and playground, other improvements will ensure the park’s future attractiveness and utility.

Near the intersection of 31st and Oakdale Streets is a patch of greenspace suitable for a community garden. Its proximity to the Ethel Allen School makes it important to program with a productive use to deter trash dumping and other harmful uses. Its size makes the site ideal for a community garden, potentially with the cooperation of the Allen School and Neighborhood Gardens Trust. The latter group manages operations at the nearby Glenwood Green Acres.

The most feasible way to better connect the corridor with Fairmount Park is via 33rd Street, which already has (faded) bike lanes. The 33rd Street bike lanes connect West Lehigh Avenue to the intersection of Ridge Avenue, just south of York Street. To increase cyclists’ perceived and actual safety, barriers should be added between bike lanes and driving lanes.

Chalmers Avenue

West Lehig h Ave nue

ALTERNATIVES

The intersection of 33rd Street and West Lehigh Avenue will need particular design attention given the bikeway’s shift from the two-way configuration along West Lehigh to the split lanes along 33rd Street.

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Goals for Chalmers Park site design include supporting a host of active and passive recreation with an emphasis on increasing access to low barrierto-entry activities. The existing basketball courts would be complemented by two additional courts. The Sixers Youth Foundation has completed renovations at neighborhood parks across Philadelphia and Camden, placing high quality playing facilities in neighborhoods to increase safe spaces for children to play. Installing outdoor exercise equipment to the south of the playground will put high-quality workouts within reach of many neighborhood residents. Additionally, the marking of a 3/4 mile walking loop from recycled crushed concrete onsite around the perimeter will further passive recreation goals.

Figure 24: A suite of outdoor exercise equipment will increase fitness access to community members who are not members at local gyms.

The eastern half of the space is currently planted with a row of trees, therefore, that section should be left largely undisturbed. The addition of seating will take advantage of the shade offered by trees. Otherwise, the western half of the space is flat and open. This area will accomodate multiple rows of 6’ x 4’ planting beds. Leveraging the technical specialization of the nearby Dobbins High School, the West Lehigh CDC can forge a partnership with woodshop and engineering classes to build the wood frames for the plots on an as-needed basis. As the garden becomes more popular and attracts more users, more plots will be added over time.

Figure 25: Outdoor picnic facilities will provide covered shelter for community gatherings, making outdoor summer activities accessible to a wider range of community members.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

The park is a popular space for gatherings throughout the summer. Some events include block parties, an annual Family Fun Day, family reunions, and an annual Eid celebration. To better accommodate these events, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department should install covered picnic shelters to provide shade from the summer sun and heat. These pavillions can immediately or eventually be used as a source of revenue through a permiting system to fund future park improvements.

While 33rd Street will maintain a separate bike lane with each direction of traffic, the proposed redesign of the bike lanes on West Lehigh Avenue will be shifted to the south side of the street. Having the bike lanes side by side decreases the amount of space needed for barriers between bike lanes and drive lanes. It also gives the bike infrastructure a more prominent presence on the corridor.

Plan Recommendations

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Chalmers Park

Mt. Vernon Cemetery

Figure 26: Aerial view of 29th & Chalmers parks after recommendation implementation

Figure 28: View of the future of Oakdale Street: Community Garden beds, Playstreet, Picnic Tables

Figure 27: The Sixers Foundation recently revitalized a basketball near the John F. Hartranft School in North Philadelphia.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

17. CHALMERS PARK IMPROVEMENTS

EXISTING CONDITIONS

|69

GOALS

68|Plan Recommendations

Figure 29: View of 33rd Street looking west: signage pointing to Fairmount Park, pollinator protected bike lane turning left on 33rd Street

Plan Implementation

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

EXISTING CONDITIONS

70|Plan Implementation |71

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

72|Plan Implementation

|73

$ = $100s Action

Partner

$$ = $10,000s Timeline (yr)

Cost

Funding Source

0-5

$$

Streets Dept.

oTIS Implement bikeways on 15th, 22nd, 29th, & 33rd Street Dept.

Streets Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

0-5

$

Streets Dept.

oTIS Improve bike parking in parks, in former parking Street Dept. spaces, and along sidewalk Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

6-15

$

Streets Dept.

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Improve bike network

Install 1st phase of new stations at 33rd, 22nd,

Plan Implementation

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Ped-friendly

Expand Indego bike share network

Accessible 2 Ped-friendly

Improve wayfinding signage along corridor

Attractive 3 Welcoming

Implement Pollinator Corridor

4

Clean Safe

Street Dept.

Install 2nd phase of new stations at 29th and 17th & West Lehigh Avenue

City of Philadelphia

0-5

$$

City of Philadelphia

6-10

$$

City of Philadelphia

Bicycle Transit Systems

Bicycle Transit Systems

Design and install wayďŹ nding signage

0-5

$$

Facilitate community agency over trash

PHS

0-10

$$

Audubon

Organize Clean Block system and monitor

Clean Philadelphia 0-5

$

Streets Dept.

Strawberry Mansion CDC

3 Attractive

Welcoming

0-5

$

0-5

$$

Funding Source Streets Dept.

Local Schools

The Douty Foundation TD Bank Charitable Foundation

Create new parks

partnerships, and volunteer recruitment

Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS), Temple, day cares

0-5

$

Secure vacant land

Current landowners, Temple

0-5

$$

Temple

0-5

$$

Streets Department

0-5

$$

Parks & Recreation Summer Food Service Program

0-5

$$

Play Everywhere grants (William Penn)

0-5

$

0-5

$$$

Greening triangular island at Lehigh/19th/Sedgley Streets Department Install Playstreet on Sedgley Avenue crossing West Lehigh Avenue

Transportation Alternatives, Streets Dept.

William Penn Foundation KaBOOM!

The Pollinator Project Whole Kids Foundation The Douty Foundation TD Bank Charitable Foundation Dept. of Commerce Streets Dept.

0-15

$

Host community meetings to inform CBA

Cultural Economic 5 Educational Plethora

Leverage Temple Stadium & 500 Botany Rehabilitation

ODAAT

Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS), Temple

Community Justice Land Trust PHDC

Cultural Economic 5 Educational Plethora

Temple

Temple

0-5

$

Temple

Stadium Construction

Temple

6-10

$$$

Temple

500 Botany & public plaza rehab

Temple

6-10

$$$

Temple

Coordinate meeting with tech supporters

Urban Stead

CSBG 0-5

$

0-5

$$

0-15

$$

6-15

$

6-15

$

Metropolis Fund Acquire & develop vacant parcel or building

1826 W LEHIGH LLC (landowner)

Hire & train local employees Establish programs with schools

Job Training & Small Business Training

CSBG

Zoning Change

Bennett Compost

Activating community through composting & hydroponics

Community Service Block Grant Storefront Improvement Program

Philadelphia Housing Authority Land purchase agreement with land trust

Expand ODAAT career training capacity through Temple programs

Dobbins Tech High School & Ethel Allen

Strawberry Mansion CDC Temple

KCP Patricia Kind Family Foundation

ODAAT

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Create underpass mural with local children

Install small childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playgrounds

Local Businesses

Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

Install Big Bellies or trash cans along West Lehigh Avenue and 22nd Street

Cost

Strawberry Mansion CDC

oTIS

and Broad Streets & West Lehigh Avenue

Acquire pollinator plantings for bike planters and parks

Streets Department

Timeline (yr)

Amtrak

Local outreach, formation of community

$$$ = $100,000s

oTIS

2 Accessible

Improve Lehigh Ave. underpass

Partner

Strawberry Mansion CDC

Install protected bike lane along West Lehigh Ave. Street Dept.

Accessible 2 Ped-friendly

Install lighting beneath underpass

Key: Strategy

Action

GOALS

Goal

Attractive 3 Welcoming

Strategy

ALTERNATIVES

CORRIDOR-WIDE

Goal

Value-Added Producer Grant (US Dept. of Agriculture) Philadelphia School Department CSBG KCP Patricia Kind Family Foundation

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

The following matrix outlines the strategies, action items, partners, timing, to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations contained within anticipated costs and potential funding sources for each proposed zone of this plan. For each implementation strategy, the West Lehigh CDC will West Lehigh Avenue. Taken together, this matrix is a step-by-step checklist assume the lead.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

EASTERN ZONE

STRATEGIES & ACTION ITEMS FOR EACH ZONE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX

74|Plan Implementation

|75

Action

Partner

Timeline (yr)

Cost

Funding Source

partnerships, and volunteer recruitment

Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS), Dobbins, Deliverance Evangelistic Church

0-5

$

PHS, Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Secure vacant land & buildings

Current landowner, Deliverance Church

0-5

$$

PHS, Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Relocate residents and demolish selected buildings for parks

City of Philadelphia

0-5

$$

City of Philadelphia

Implement design for new parks

Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS), Dobbins, Deliverance Evangelistic Church

0-5

$

Parks & Recreation Department

0-5

$$

Parks & Recreation Summer Food Service Program

0-5

$

0-5

$$

Local outreach, formation of community

3

Attractive Welcoming

Create new parks

Install Playstreet along Somerset Street between 21st & 23rd Streets

Attractive 3 Welcoming

Clean up parks beyond Clean & Green Program

Improve existing parks

Transportation Alternatives, Streets Department Fairmount Park Conservancy PHS Philadelphia LandCare

Install exercise equipment in Reyburn Park in coordination with Rebuild

Managing Director’s Office

Activating community through a food truck plaza

Rent portion of parking lot from Church

Plan Implementation

0-5

$$

Community Info Session @ Widner Library

Philly Mobile Food Association Philadelphia Score Philly Mobile Food Association

0-5

$

0-5

$

Glenwood Green Acres Community Gardens Oakdale Community Gardens Hydroponics facility operator Bartram’s Garden

6-10

$$

Hydroponics facility operator

Install wayfinding signage and plantings 0-5

$$

Fairmount Park Conservancy

Local outreach, formation of community partnerships, and volunteer recruitment

PHS, Ethel Allen School, St. Martin de Porres Church, Mt. Sinai Tabernacle, Calvary Church

0-5

$

PHS, Ethel Allen, St. Martin de Porres, Mt. Sinai Tabernacl, Calvary Church

Secure vacant land

Same as above

0-5

$$

Same as above

Implement design for new parks

PHS, Ethel Allen School, St. Martin de Porres Church, Mt. Sinai Tabernacle, Calvary Church

0-5

$

PHS, Ethel Allen, St. Martin de Porres, Mt. Sinai Tabernacl, Calvary Church

Park Stewardship Program, PHS Philadelphia LandCare Program

Install Playstreet on Oakdale Street between 30th & 31st Streets

Transportation Alternatives

6-10

$$

Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant

Clean up parks beyond Clean & Green Program

Fairmount Park Conservancy Neighborhood Park Stewardship Program

0-15

$

Park Stewardship Program, PHS Philadelphia LandCare Program

Attractive 3 Welcoming

3 Attractive

Welcoming

Keystone Communities Program (KCP)

3

Attractive Welcoming

Create new parks

Improve existing parks

Expand community gardens along corridor

PHS Philadelphia LandCare Install exercise equipment in 29th & Chalmers Park

Parks & Recreation Department

0-5

$$

Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant ACHIEVE Grant

Local outreach, formation of community partnerships, and volunteer recruitment

Glenwood Green Acres, Bartram’s Garden, churches & schools

0-5

$

Glenwood Green Acres, Bartram’s Garden & churchs

Secure vacant land

Same as above

0-5

$$

Same as above

Create community garden at Oakdale Street

Glenwood Green Acres, Bartram’s Garden, churches & schools

0-5

$$

Scott’s Miracle Grow GRO1000 Grants Strawberry Mansion CDC

(between 30th & 31st Streets)

TBD

Cultural Economic 5 Educational Plethora

Job Training & Small Business Training

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Funding Source

AGS (Walk! Philadelphia partner)

Ped-friendly

Neighborhood Progress Fund

Additional furniture and facilities improvements

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Cost

in vacant lots along 33rd Street between West Lehigh Avenue and Fairmount Park

CSBG

Cultural Economic 5 Educational Plethora

2 Accessible

Improve link between corridor & Fairmount Park

Create local Produce Market

Timeline (yr)

Acquire land/building and relocate Strawberry Mansion CDC

Strawberry Mansion CDC

6-15

$$

Add staff to Widner Library

Temple volunteers

0-10

$

Inform QCHC about lead remediation service to inform patients

Quality Community Health Care

0-15

$

City of Philadelphia

Temple

GOALS

Strategy

Link community gardens with economic development

Partner

ALTERNATIVES

Goal

Active 1 Mixed-use

Action

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

CENTRAL ZONE

Strategy

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Goal

EXISTING CONDITIONS

WESTERN ZONE

76|Plan Implementation

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IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE EXISTING CONDITIONS

PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR EACH ACTION ITEM

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

The following timeline outlines the timing of each of the previous action More significant actions, like those involving Temple’s stadium, will take items in five year increments. The majority of the actions are proposed for more time to plan and prepare and are consequently proposed for years years 0-5 in an attempt to jumpstart improvements to the corridor.

6-10 and 11-15. Some items are ongoing through the whole 15 years.

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE 6-10

11-15

Plan Implementation

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

Install lighting beneath railroad underpass Local outreach, formation of community partnerships, and volunteer recruitment for parks Secure vacant land for parks Greening triangular island at West Lehigh Aevnue/19th Street/Sedgley Avenue Coordinate meeting with tech supporters of hydroponics facility Acquire and develop vacant parcel or building for hydroponic facility Install small children’s playgrounds Host community meetings to inform CBA Land purchase agreement with land trust Zoning change for Temple Stadium Create railroad underpass mural with local children Stadium construction 500 Botany & public plaza rehab Install Playstreet on Sedgley Avenue crossing West Lehigh Avenue Establish composting & hydroponics programs with local schools Expand ODAAT career training capacity through Temple programs Hire & train local employees in composting and hydroponics

0-5

6-10

11-15

0-5

6-10

0-5

6-10

11-15

GOALS ALTERNATIVES

Install 2ndphase of new stations at 29th and 17 th Street & West Lehigh Avenue Design and install wayfinding signage Improve bike parking in parks, in former parking spaces, and along sidewalk Organize Clean Block system and monitor

Eastern

Central Local outreach, formation of community partnerships, and volunteer recruitment for parks Secure vacant land & buildings for parks Relocate residents and demolish selected buildings for parks Implement design for new parks Install Playstreet along Somerset between 21st & 23rd Streets Install exercise equipment in Reyburn Park in coordination with Rebuild program Rent portion of parking lot from Deliverance Church Community informational session @ Widner Library Additional furniture and facilities improvements to food truck area Clean up parks beyond Clean & Green Program

11-15 Western

rd

Install wayfinding signage & plantings in vacant lots along 33 Street Local outreach, formation of community partnerships, and volunteer recruitment for parks Secure vacant land for parks Implement design for new parks th st Create community garden at Oakdale Street (between 30 & 31 Streets ) Install exercise equipment in 29th & Chalmers Park Add staff to Widner Library th

st

Install Playstreet on Oakdale Street between 30 & 31 Streets Create local Produce Market Acquire land/building and relocate Strawberry Mansion CDC Inform QCHC about lead remediation service to encourage patients Clean up parks beyond Clean & Green Program

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

0-5

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Corridor-wide Install protected bike lane along West Lehigh Avenue th nd th rd Implement bikeways on 15 , 22 , 29 , & 33 Street st rd nd Install 1 phase of new stations at 33 , 22 , and Broad & Lehigh nd Install Big Bellies or trash cans along West Lehigh Avenue and 22 Street Acquire pollinator plantings for bike planters and parks

78|Plan Implementation

|79

Desmond, Matthew, et. al. Eviction Lab National Database: Version 1.0. Princeton: Princeton University, 2018, www.evictionlab.org.

Dignam, Timothy, et al. “Assessment of child lead exposure in a Philadelphia community, 2014.” Journal of public health management and practice: JPHMP 25.1 (2019): 53.

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“Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects.” Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects, Philadelphia Water Department, www.arcgis.com/apps/ webappviewer/index.html?id=c5d43ba5291441dabbee5573a3f981d2.

SE:A10036. Median House Value for All Owner-Occupied Housing Units (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www. socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

“Hazardous Waste.” PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Environmental Protection, newdata-padep-1.opendata.arcgis.com/ search?tags=Hazardous Waste.

SE:A18001. Gross Rent (Housing Units with Cash Rent) (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer.com/ tables/ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

Haynes, Tim. “Vacant Property Indicators.” Open Data Philly. Web, 1 Feb 2020.

SE:B18002. Residents Paying More Than 30% or at least 50% of Income on Rent (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www. socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

McKernan, Signe-Mary, et. Al. Thriving Residents, Thriving Cities: Family Financial Security Matters for Cities, April 2016.

“Philadelphia Child Blood Lead Levels.” OpenDataPhilly, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 29 Sept. 2017, www.opendataphilly.org/dataset/ philadelphia-child-blood-lead-levels.

Philadelphia, City of. City of Philadelphia: Lead, City of Philadelphia, www.phila.gov/water/wu/drinkingwater/lead/Pages/default.aspx.

Philadelphia City Planning Commission. (2012). Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA).

Philadelphia 2035 Lower North District Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.phila2035.org/lower-north Philadelphia 2035 North District Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.phila2035.org/north

Plan Implementation

SE:A10031. Housing Units by Year Householder Moved Into Unit (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer. com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

Dominick, Cassise. “Street Centerlines.” - Open Data Philly. Web, Dec 2014.

“LandCare Program.” LandCare Program, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, phsonline.org/programs/landcare-program. “LandCare Program.”

OpenDataPhilly, Division of Housing and Community Development and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 16 Mar. 2015, www.opendataphilly.org/ dataset/land-care.

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

SE:A10047. Vacancy Status by Type of Vacancy (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

Philly Elementary, Middle & High Schools. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2020, from http://www.philasd.org/.

Philadelphia Zoning Code. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.phila.gov/documents/zoning-code-information-manual-quick-guide/ SE:A10008. Households by Household Type (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ ACS2018_5yr/R12548148 SE:A10026. Housing Units by Housing Costs as a Percentage of Household (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www. socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Darshna, Patel. “Land Use.” - Open Data Philly. Web, Dec 2014.

SEPTA - Regional Rail Lines. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://septaopendata-septa.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/septa-regional-rail-lines SEPTA - Regional Rail Stations. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://septaopendata-septa.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/septa-regional-rail-stations SEPTA - Spring 2019 Routes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://septaopendata-septa.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/septa-spring-2019-routes SEPTA - Spring 2019 Stops By Route. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://septaopendata-septa.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/septa-spring-2019-stops-byroute Signs & Banners. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.centercityphila.org/ccd-services/streetscape/signs-banners Strawberry Mansion Learning Center. (2016). About. Retrieved from http://strawberrymansionlearningcenter.com.

“Superfund Data and Reports.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 31 July 2019, www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-data-and-reports.

Temple University Institutional Research and Assessment. (n.d.). Temple University at a glance. (2019-2020). Retrieved from https://www.temple.edu/ ira/documents/data-analysis/at-a-glance/Temple-At-a-Glance-2019-2020.pdf Temple University Multipurpose Facility/Stadium project overview. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.temple.edu/about/campus-development/ multipurpose-facilitystadium U.S. Census Bureau. (2017). Household Size by Vehicles Available, Philadelphia County, Table B08201. [Data file]. Retrieved from http://data.census.gov.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2017). LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (2002-2017) [computer file]. Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau, Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program, retrieved from https://onthemap.ces.census.gov.

GOALS

Crashes in Philadelphia County involving pedestrian or bicyclist fatalities or major injuries (data.philly.com/datasets/crashes/pedestrian_bicyclist/)

SE:A10044. Occupancy Status (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/ R12548148

ALTERNATIVES

The City of Philadelphia’s Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet. (2019). 2019 Litter Index Report. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA).

SE:A10060. Tenure (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/R12548148

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Bradham, Karen D., et al. “Relationship between total and bioaccessible lead on children’s blood lead levels in urban residential Philadelphia soils.”

Environmental science & technology 51.17 (2017): 10005-10011.

Income in the Past 12 Months (ACS 2018 [5-Year Estimates-). Retrieved Feb 1, 2020 from https://www.socialexplorer.com/tables/ACS2018_5yr/ R12548148

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

The BigBelly Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.philadelphiastreets.com/sanitation/the-bigbelly-program/

EXISTING CONDITIONS

SOURCES

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U.S. Census Bureau. (2017). Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics, Philadelphia County, Table S0801. [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.factfinder.census.gov.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

SOURCES U.S. Census Bureau. (2017). Selected Economic Characteristics, Philadelphia County. [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.factfinder.census.gov.

Plan Implementation

WEST LEHIGH AVENUE

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ALTERNATIVES

GOALS

Zeitchik, Steven. “Near Ferguson, a Nonprofit Movie Theater Proves Pop Culture Can Help Change a Neighborhood Narrative.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2017, www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-st-louis-movie-theater-ferguson-20170406-story.html.

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Vision Zero High Injury Network 2017. (2017, October 2). Retrieved from https://www.opendataphilly.org/dataset/high-injury-network