Grassroots Initiative
Lower Italian Market Revitalization Project
South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Lower Italian Market Revitalization project focuses on a crucial commercial corridor in the geographical and psychological center of South Philadelphia. These blocks have been dominated by vacant storefronts, with small and dilapidated buildings that suffer from overwhelming amounts of trash, crime, and blight. In an effort to reverse the proliferation of vacant storefronts, crime, trash and blight in the Lower Italian Market area, a group of architects, designers, planners, and policy makers formed the Planning & Design Committee of the Passyunk Square Civic Association (PSCA). In 2007, PSCA was awarded a $50,000 grant from the City of Philadelphia to study the area and determine successful factors and strategies for redevelopment.
The neighborhood’s vision for the corridor is to promote and improve conditions for existing businesses, while attracting new development to create a vibrant street life for businesses, residents, and visitors. The Plan addresses green elements, public art, and contemporary concepts that specifically apply to this dense urban area. Interest among residents about PSCA’s revitalization plan was so high that the community formed a new committee to implement its recommendations.
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