University City lighting Initiative
In 2005, with a generous support from President Amy Gutmann and Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, Operation Safe, a major initiative to enhance the safety and quality of life for our many Penn community members and neighbors was kicked off.
This $5 million dollar project included a major lighting initiative that would lead to a complete overhaul in how safety within University City was perceived. The project went through several phases.
The first two (2) phases of the lighting project were completed in 2006 in the University City area, with the installation of over 300 new street lights and 340 additional spot lights.
Phase 3 of the lighting project commenced in 2007 and was completed in time for the fall 2008 semester. In this phase, pedestrian lighting was installed the length of Walnut Street from 33rd to 40th Streets; Spruce Street from 38th to 40th Streets; the 3900 block of Walnut Street; and 34th Street from Spruce to Chestnut Streets.
Phase 4 of the University City Lighting Coalition was launched in cooperation with the University City landlords and neighbors. This will further illuminate 40th to 43rd Street from Baltimore to Chestnut Streets.
Each phase of the lighting initiative was made possible in part through the many collaborative efforts and generous in-kind services of companies such as SEPTA, PECO, Philadelphia Streets Department, the Science Center, the University District, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Drexel and the Radian Apartments.
