Spring Break
New streetscapes planned for Powelton Village area
Gauri Khanolkar
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: News
University City is getting a makeover.
The University City District has contracted Kise, Straw & Kolodner, an urban design firm, to propose streetscape treatments at various gateways to University City. The project is being implemented as part of UCD's goal to make University City more attractive and inviting.
A preliminary design for improvements was completed and presented at a community meeting, held March 22, where residents from Powelton Village, West Powelton and Saunders Park came to voice their opinions on the design. Attendees welcomed the design. Residents also made several suggestions for similar improvements along Lancaster Avenue.
The project involves installing visual signs along various commuter, public transit, pedestrian and bicycle routes to indicate the different neighborhoods. Proposed improvements include construction of bump outs at the intersection to narrow the crosswalk and provide increased safety for pedestrians.
In addition, the UCD plans to install pedestrian lighting and replace the current streetlights with newer more efficient and attractive street poles called "brown rounds". The project also involves replacing the sidewalk, repainting the crosswalk, installing banners, landscaping the United Bank building, installing pedestrian scale directional signs and installing an attractive clock.
"The project is intended to create a more attractive and welcoming environment for people who live, work, play and go to school here in University City and to provide increased safety and visibility of key intersections." Carolyn Hewson, director of neighborhood initiatives, said.
Areas that are highly visible and have significant foot and car traffic will be identified in order to determine opportunities for improvements to the physical environment. The UCD has decided to begin streetscape improvements at the intersection of 38th Street and Lancaster Avenue.
"The intersection has the opportunity to serve as a bridge for the major institutions: Drexel University, Presbyterian and the Science Center. ... In addition, the intersection is very wide and poses a danger to pedestrians, cars and bicycles. The Gateway treatments are designed to address those issues and draw more people to the nearby businesses," Hewson said.
This project is intended to act as a pilot project for improvements at other locations, though such locations have not been identified or selected thus far.
According to Michael Jones, archivist at the Powelton Village Civic Association, there is no cost estimate for the project yet. The plans have not been finalized and UCD is still in the process of presenting ideas to various stakeholders for feedback. The project will commence only once funding is secured and improvement plans undergo city permitting and approvals. Jones estimates that the project will take a couple of years to begin.
Representatives from both Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania are on the task force that directed this project.
The University City District has contracted Kise, Straw & Kolodner, an urban design firm, to propose streetscape treatments at various gateways to University City. The project is being implemented as part of UCD's goal to make University City more attractive and inviting.
A preliminary design for improvements was completed and presented at a community meeting, held March 22, where residents from Powelton Village, West Powelton and Saunders Park came to voice their opinions on the design. Attendees welcomed the design. Residents also made several suggestions for similar improvements along Lancaster Avenue.
The project involves installing visual signs along various commuter, public transit, pedestrian and bicycle routes to indicate the different neighborhoods. Proposed improvements include construction of bump outs at the intersection to narrow the crosswalk and provide increased safety for pedestrians.
In addition, the UCD plans to install pedestrian lighting and replace the current streetlights with newer more efficient and attractive street poles called "brown rounds". The project also involves replacing the sidewalk, repainting the crosswalk, installing banners, landscaping the United Bank building, installing pedestrian scale directional signs and installing an attractive clock.
"The project is intended to create a more attractive and welcoming environment for people who live, work, play and go to school here in University City and to provide increased safety and visibility of key intersections." Carolyn Hewson, director of neighborhood initiatives, said.
Areas that are highly visible and have significant foot and car traffic will be identified in order to determine opportunities for improvements to the physical environment. The UCD has decided to begin streetscape improvements at the intersection of 38th Street and Lancaster Avenue.
"The intersection has the opportunity to serve as a bridge for the major institutions: Drexel University, Presbyterian and the Science Center. ... In addition, the intersection is very wide and poses a danger to pedestrians, cars and bicycles. The Gateway treatments are designed to address those issues and draw more people to the nearby businesses," Hewson said.
This project is intended to act as a pilot project for improvements at other locations, though such locations have not been identified or selected thus far.
According to Michael Jones, archivist at the Powelton Village Civic Association, there is no cost estimate for the project yet. The plans have not been finalized and UCD is still in the process of presenting ideas to various stakeholders for feedback. The project will commence only once funding is secured and improvement plans undergo city permitting and approvals. Jones estimates that the project will take a couple of years to begin.
Representatives from both Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania are on the task force that directed this project.
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nikhil chugh
posted 3/22/08 @ 12:48 PM EST
hi.........
very good
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n common suggest me also some
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in these two years i have been severe depression for
i have to also undergo medication. (Continued…)
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