Category invest

University City gets Philadelphia’s first “parklet”

What is a “parklet”?

According to the article, and parklet is “a pavement reuse initiative that re-purposes one or two existing parking spots with a platform that brings the grade of the sidewalk out to the street.”

Hmmm.

Sounds a little complicated, but it really isn’t. It’s actually quite ingenious for a city like Philadelphia, where city streets/sidewalks can sometimes be small and narrow due to their age.

It’s a great option for pedestrians in high-traffic areas, and considering Philadelphia was just voted the “5th Most Walkable” city in the US, parklets should actually be a part of daily pedestrian life in Philly’s dense commercial districts.

The next question is, when will Center City get its first?

Philadelphia is Age-Friendly

To be exact, we are actually the most age-friendly city out of the US’ Top 10 Largest Cities.

But what does that even mean, and why is it important? Well for starters, more seniors are now staying in Philadelphia instead of relocating for warmer climates and quieter communities, studies show. Health care is improving, people are living longer, and they are deciding to stay in the city.

Philadelphia is a wise choice for adventurous seniors because it offers a lot: historical attractions, diverse culture, tons of restaurants, flexible housing arrangements, and multiple public transportation options. Plus, most local seniors probably still have family in the area, which gives them even more of a reason to stay. Top it all off with walkable streets and lots of parks, and you have a very livable, affordable city for seniors.

Feel free to read more about it here.

“Green” Senior Housing in the Italian Market

Spearheaded by a local priest (from St. Maron’s Catholic Church) and Bruce Morgan (of BCM in Paoli), the goal is to give Philadelphia seniors an easier living option. And best of all, it will have sustainable, LEED-based features like a green roof and Energy Star appliances.

Most of the time when seniors decide to downsize, their local neighborhood options become limited. That’s why downsizing typically requires moving to a different neighborhood, city, or state to find what’s needed. The nice thing about this project is that the local neighborhood should already have enough demand, they just need the supply.

Not only will this option help keep locals in the neighborhood they love, but it will open up their places to new homeowners looking to call this area of South Philadelphia their home.