The Renaissance

Since the early 1990s, numerous community groups have rallied around revitalization efforts in Walnut Hill and other neighborhoods close to University City. The 2006 University City District Report Card, a 31-page report that seeks to persuade residents, real estate brokers, and business leaders that neighborhood revitalization continues to gain momentum, states that both the number of sales and average price of home sales around the University of Pennsylvania have increased dramatically. The report also highlights West Philadelphia's progress in maintaining ethnic diversity and creating new developments. Walnut Hill's transformation over the past decade reflects these findings, and these improvements have the potential to result in a vibrant, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational neighborhood of choice.

Along with the physical improvements made by individuals, Walnut Hill has benefited from significant public and institutional investment. SEPTA's $570 million reconstruction of the Market-Frankford El between 46th Street and Millbourne will replace 11,000 feet of the current support structure, build six new stations, and greatly improve lighting, streetscape and passenger safety. Walnut Hill's 46th and 52nd Street stations are slated for completion in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Penn's School of Nursing is building a Living Independently for Elders Center at 4508 Chestnut Street, reusing a vacant human services building. The program will provide nursing services, physical therapy, and social activities for seniors during the day, so that they can remain in their homes instead of moving to an assisted living facility. Finally, The Partnership CDC's $12 million residential project, featuring renovated and new mixed-income housing along the 4500 and 4600 blocks of Sansom Street, is a successful demonstration of neighborhood rehabilitation that restores Walnut Hill's unique housing stock and maintains the neighborhood's character.