Upper Lancaster Avenue Business Corridor Master Plan
In 2018, Overbrook West Neighbors (OWN) was awarded a Corridor Enhancement Grant from the Philadelphia Commerce Department to conduct a planning study of the Upper Lancaster Avenue Corridor from N. 56th Street to N. 63rd Street, within the Right-of-Way. Lancaster Avenue is one of the primary vehicular arterials in West Philadelphia, beginning in University City and extending west, connecting Philadelphia to the Main Line and western suburbs. The Overbrook neighborhood serves as the gateway to West Philadelphia along this route, and Lancaster Avenue is the major vehicular thoroughfare. This Master Plan is intended as a long-range planning tool for this section of Lancaster Avenue, presenting a unified vision to improve the safety, functionality, and character of the corridor.
This project was organized in two phases: Inventory and Analysis, followed by development of the Master Plan. As part of the Inventory and Analysis phase, SALT reviewed existing conditions along the corridor and engaged with residents and business owners to discuss their vision for Upper Lancaster Avenue. The second phase focused on development of Master Plan strategies, translating the vision and goals of the community into a realistic and socially-responsive plan for future physical improvements along the corridor.