Non-Profit Organization Plays Vital Role in University City's Success

(Philadelphia, PA) – In its seventh year of operation, University City District (UCD) continues to make strides in improving the quality of life for residents, students, and workers in this 2.2 square mile section of the city.

Founded by a number of area institutions as a private non-profit organization and funded solely on voluntary donations, UCD’s mission is to provide cleaning, safety, promotional services, and physical improvements to the district bounded by the Schuylkill River and 50th Street, Spring Garden and Woodland avenues. UCD also works intensely on the commercial corridors of Baltimore and Lancaster avenues, runs homeowner workshops, and manages the LUCY® shuttle service. "By any measure," says UCD Executive Director Eric Goldstein, "UCD has been an enormous success. Crime is down, the streets are cleaner, new businesses are thriving. These achievements would not have been possible without the support and dedication of UCD’s community, institutional, and government partners."

In order to keep University City one of the city’s most desirable and diverse neighborhoods, UCD spends over two-thirds of its budget on cleaning and safety services. In 2003, UCD’s Public Space Maintenance employees:

removed 5,042 posters and stickers from poles.
eliminated 2,495 graffiti tags.
picked up over 1.1 million pounds of sidewalk and vacant lot trash.

The UCD Ambassador program, in partnership with the Philadelphia Police and institutional security services, has helped reduce major crime in the area in 5 of the last 6 years. Not only do Ambassadors patrol the streets on foot and bicycle, serving as additional eyes and ears on the streets, but also they provide numerous services to the community. Last year, these services included:

256 jump-starts and 401 lock-out assists to motorists in need.
424 escorts to those uncomfortable walking late at night.
768 transports of homeless to a shelter or hospital.

"Helping the community focuses the energy of our team," says UCD Director of Operations John Fenton, "and to make a positive difference every day makes everyone feel great about what we are doing."

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University City District builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan and advocate for University City’s diverse, urban community.

University City is the region’s leading community for technology, research, higher education and health care integrated with historic and desirable residential neighborhoods, vibrant commercial and cultural attractions, and strong transportation connections.

Release Date: Tuesday, February 10th 2004