Ongoing Development Projects

South Street West Streetscape

The South Street West Streetscape Project is an initiative spearheaded by SSWBA to help make our corridor a safer and more attractive commercial corridor for residents, business owners, and customers. Under the direction of Jessie Frisby, president of SSWBA and owner of Jessie's Ladies Shoppe, SSWBA has been petitioning the City to make an investment in our area, which was neglected for decades. The City agreed to mount a $30 million improvement project which included installing pedestrian lighting along the entire length of South Street, from Delaware Avenue to the South Street Bridge, installing new sidewalks and curbs from Broad to 18th (in 2002, and along other parts of the street in other phases), and planting new trees in empty tree wells along the corridor. Also included is the installation of double-headed parking meters, to help eliminate clutter along the street.

As part of a separate but related effort, SSWBA is pursuing ways of obtaining trash cans for the corridor, banners and flags to decorate the street, and other measures to improve the appearance of our neighborhood. Please pitch in: Keep your sidewalk clean!

Universal Commercial Center

A significant component of Universal Companies' South Philadelphia Rebuilding Initiative, new commercial development on the East side of Broad Street between Fitzwater and Catharine will create more than 750 full-time, unsubsidized jobs that pay living wages with benefits. The expansion will provide more than 500 line jobs and 100 supervisory jobs, as well as provide a stabilizing force for the long-term economic sustainability of the community. Site construction will create more than 50 temporary jobs and provide millions for vendors and contract services.

TOP

The Royal Theater

Another of Universal Companies' development projects, the Royal Theater on the 1500 block of South Street, has been targeted for redevelopment in ways that revive this historic site's legacy for the African American community. Built in 1919, the theater once served as the epicenter of Black culture in Philadelphia—boasting performances by artists such as Fats Waller, Pearl Bailey, Billy Paul, and Bessie Smith and serving as a meeting place for children's talent shows, movie viewing, and dancing. As of November 2002, work on the facade had commenced.

The Royal closed in the 1970s, after the threat of a Crosstown Expressway had decimated the neighborhood and attendance dwindled. Universal Companies purchased the long-neglected building in September of 2000, and plans to develop an entertainment facility that will include live music and performances, and possibly a restaurant. Universal has been updating the community on the group's progress. Interior demolition and efforts to stabilize the building's rear and side walls have been completed.

Three general strategies for building use have been planned: a 500-700 seat theater; a restaurant; and a nightclub. Historic certifications are being pursued. Development costs for the theater are anticipated to be over $3 million, and Universal is seeking federal, state, and city subsidies to help defray the cost. Universal reports that the project's financial scope should be fairly well-defined by the spring of 2002. Universal also seeks to conduct a study of parking on South Street in order to accommodate the Theater's patrons and increased traffic. Both former Governor Tom Ridge and Senator Arlen Specter have visited the site and endorsed the rennovation concept. Read an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer (9/12/00) about Universal Companies' purchase of the Royal and their plans for its development.

TOP