University City District

05/29/2026

SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority)'s board has approved changes to their bus network. Click below to read how the changes will impact University City:

SEPTA's new bus route network redesign will influece travel in University City in stages.

05/29/2026

The weather forecast is looking great for tomorrow's West Philly Porchfest! Read about what to expect at this annual event:

Get ready for a neighborhood-wide block party! West Philly Porchfest is returning for a major milestone this weekend, celebrating its 10th annual edition on Saturday, May 30, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The completely free, do-it-yourself music festival is set to transform the neighborhood into a mass

05/21/2026

Last evening, we celebrated the release of our State of University City publication at our annual event. Click the link in our bio to learn more about the event, to read and download our new report, and to see the full version of this new video about how University City is a neighborhood in motion.

05/08/2026

We kicked off programming last night with a performance by Denise King as part of our Pop-UPS at the Portal Series. Head to https://www.universitycity.org/summer2026/ to discover more fun and free events, including the Baltimore Avenue , , the University City Summer Series, and more!

05/06/2026

In December of 2025, the late Barry Grossbach made a generous contribution to UCD’s Green City Works landscaping subsidiary to support tree planting throughout the Spruce Hill neighborhood. We now invite residents of Spruce Hill to share input on where these trees should be planted.

We are looking to plant as many as possible by June 30th, 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis. Click the link below to read more and apply for a free street tree in Spruce Hill before the May 22nd deadline: https://www.universitycity.org/news/live-in-spruce-hill-apply-for-a-free-street-tree/

05/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating University City District’s new President & CEO, Sarah Steltz! Sarah was confirmed by a unanimous vote by the UCD Board of Directors after a transition process with our Board of Directors.
 
Sarah has a long history in the neighborhood she’s now tasked with serving. She spent 10 years at Drexel University in roles focused on economic growth and opportunity before being hired as UCD’s Vice President for Workforce Solutions in 2018. She was then elevated to Executive Director for what was then the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, now known simply as The Skills Initiative. Sarah left briefly in 2021 for roles with the City of Philadelphia’s Commerce Department and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia before returning to UCD in early 2024 as our Senior Vice President of Strategy.
 
Since returning to UCD, Sarah has played a central role in advancing the organization’s strategic direction, recruiting and developing talent, strengthening relationships with local and state government, and launching major organizational change initiatives that are shaping UCD’s next phase of growth. 
 
In February of this year, Sarah was named Interim President & CEO when longtime UCD leader Matt Bergheiser announced his departure before being named UCD’s new leader. As of today, she will now lead UCD.
 
Click the link in our profile to learn more about Sarah in our announcement post.

04/27/2026

According to this piece in The Philadelphia Citizen, the Grave Gardener program at The Woodlands has been transformational both to the historic cemetery and green space, but also to the people who tend it:

The Woodlands grave gardening program has been transformational to the historic cemetery and green space, and also the people who tend it.