On site work commenced this week as workers refashioned the triangular intersection of 42nd St. and Woodland Ave. in University City, as part of the City’s Pedestrian Plaza Program. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for September 19th.

Recent shot

Closer look

Launched last year, the program is aimed at transforming underutilized asphalt into welcoming pedestrian spaces, a citywide trend that’s also occurring at blacktops at various city schools and rec centers. Members of the University City District hosted community meetings to collect design input which informed the final renderings, created by ThinkGreen of Glenside.

“We were fortunate in this case to be able to combine that street segment with the adjacent traffic triangle, creating a much larger space that will allow people to sit and linger, including patrons of the Starbucks across the street,” said Seth Budick, manager of policy and research at UCD.

Across the street

Design features include a large planter composed of salvaged logs, some from the nearby Woodland Cemetery, smaller wood planters built in part from joists salvaged from a housing rehab, and a shaded seating area with moveable chairs and tables and umbrellas. Partners at the University of the Sciences will remove the furniture nightly and help maintain the plaza.

Rendering of the plaza

Two of three University City applications were selected by the City for this excellent new program. A second plaza at 48th and Baltimore is planned for next spring. We’ll let you know as we notice these and other plazas pop-up around town.

–Lou Mancinelli