Spring Break
Students swarm to Mantua for off-campus housing
Michael Stumpo
Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: News
But Mantua is no longer ignored.
Drexel is growing at a fast rate. And as enrollment continues to increase, students are looking north for places to live.
Between 500 and 1,000 college students currently live in Mantua - a number that grows as students continue to search off-campus for affordable housing. According to residents, this brings a lot of attention to the area, which could lead to new businesses and opportunities in the community.
Saleem Young has lived in Mantua most of his life and now owns and operates a barbershop, Thee Shop Plaza, on 33rd and Spring Garden streets. He, too, is sensing the revitalization Mantua is experiencing.
"We welcome everybody," Young said, as he was giving a Drexel student a haircut. "We get business from the neighborhood, but we see a lot of Drexel students come through here, too. Ten years ago, you didn't see college students going north of Spring Garden. Now they're living all the way up on Mantua Avenue."
One of Young's employees, Ahmad Abdullah, said he believes the attention Mantua is getting will lead to strong ties with Drexel University.
"With all these students, I expect to see Drexel sponsoring programs for residents in the neighborhood." Abdullah said. "Bridge the gap with community meetings, educational programs, mentor programs, business programs. It helps both communities grow and it opens the door to good communications."
Homeowners in the area are also benefiting from the "college invasion," as some residents call it. Crime rates are falling and property values are rising; some homes are now worth almost $400,000. That's a nice chunk of equity, and development is expected in the near future.
The hundreds of vacant lots that dot the streets are rapidly being bought. New apartment complexes and commercial centers may soon be constructed; residents are in agreement that property values will only continue to rise.
However, in such a diverse community, the optimism is not unanimous. Tim McElroy is a Drexel student who has lived in Mantua for almost two years. He said that although people are generally agreeable, the changes college students bring can be unpleasant.
Drexel is growing at a fast rate. And as enrollment continues to increase, students are looking north for places to live.
Between 500 and 1,000 college students currently live in Mantua - a number that grows as students continue to search off-campus for affordable housing. According to residents, this brings a lot of attention to the area, which could lead to new businesses and opportunities in the community.
Saleem Young has lived in Mantua most of his life and now owns and operates a barbershop, Thee Shop Plaza, on 33rd and Spring Garden streets. He, too, is sensing the revitalization Mantua is experiencing.
"We welcome everybody," Young said, as he was giving a Drexel student a haircut. "We get business from the neighborhood, but we see a lot of Drexel students come through here, too. Ten years ago, you didn't see college students going north of Spring Garden. Now they're living all the way up on Mantua Avenue."
One of Young's employees, Ahmad Abdullah, said he believes the attention Mantua is getting will lead to strong ties with Drexel University.
"With all these students, I expect to see Drexel sponsoring programs for residents in the neighborhood." Abdullah said. "Bridge the gap with community meetings, educational programs, mentor programs, business programs. It helps both communities grow and it opens the door to good communications."
Homeowners in the area are also benefiting from the "college invasion," as some residents call it. Crime rates are falling and property values are rising; some homes are now worth almost $400,000. That's a nice chunk of equity, and development is expected in the near future.
The hundreds of vacant lots that dot the streets are rapidly being bought. New apartment complexes and commercial centers may soon be constructed; residents are in agreement that property values will only continue to rise.
However, in such a diverse community, the optimism is not unanimous. Tim McElroy is a Drexel student who has lived in Mantua for almost two years. He said that although people are generally agreeable, the changes college students bring can be unpleasant.
Be the first to comment on this story