Universities and urban revitalization

See "As University City expands, paradox abounds," from the Philadelphia Inquirer. The photos that accompany the story are great. The photos of the Dock Street brew pub recently opened in the area of University City discussed in the article--Cedar Park or the area around 50th and Baltimore Avenue--illustrate the importance of quality restaurants as augurs of revitalization. The article discussed how the residents had to beat back the opposition of a nearby church in order for the establishment to open.

Photo by John Costello, Philadelphia Inquirer.

-- Richard's Rules for Restaurant Driven Revitalization.

The University City Business Improvement District is also worth checking out. Rather than be funded by a slice of taxes on properties (because the nonprofit organizations that dominate University City don't want to create the precedent of their accepting being taxed), the organizations pay voluntary (but large) assessments. Members include the University of Pennsylvania, the Penn Hospital System, and Amtrak.

Click here for their current annual report.