Demonstration Blocks Initiative

The Walnut Hill Community Association (WHCA) and The Enterprise Center Community Development Center (TEC-CDC) will partner to begin rehabilitation of eight demonstration blocks within Walnut Hill (the 4900 block of Locust Street, 46th Street from Market to Walnut Streets, the 200 block of South 49th Street, the 5100 block of Ludlow Street, the 5100 block of Chancellor Street, the 5100 block of Sansom Street, the 5100 block of Irving Street, and Farragut Street from Market to Walnut Streets). Home improvements on the demonstration blocks will include:

• Energy efficiency assessments by the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA)
• Installation and repair of lighting on front lawns and porches
• Landscaping and tree planting by UC Green and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
• Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) assessments by the ECA and other contractors

WHCA and TEC-CDC will also partner with area organizations in order to provide a series of educational seminars. These seminars will parallel the demonstration block home improvements and will be open to all residents of Walnut Hill:

• Identifying municipal, state and federal funds available to homeowners that wish to undertake the repairs and improvements identified in the BSRP assessments and ECA energy audits
• Rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords
• Financial education

TEC-CDC selected the demonstration blocks based on feedback from WHCA, University City District, and in-house identification of visible blight and deterioration, low vacancy rates, high homeownership rates, proximity to neighborhood gateways, visibility, and potential impact on surrounding blocks. The demonstration block initiative will upgrade the housing stock, increase the value of homes on the block, increase the attractiveness and safety of the neighborhood, and increase resident pride in the community. Walnut Hill's demonstration blocks will serve as both an example of the potential impact of resident-led physical revitalization and a prototype for future residential development, and will encourage residents to take a proactive role in the development of their communities. Finally, the successful execution of the project will provide visibility and publicity to WHCA and TEC-CDC's revitalization efforts.