Mantua: “They Help Me and They Say, ‘Don’t Be Afraid.'”
When Saquan Dixon walks through the Mantua section of West Philadelphia, he feels a vibe much different from the Kensington neighborhood where he was raised. Neither Mantua, also known as “The Bottom,” nor his neighborhood in Kensington have sparkling reputations but the 20-year-old Dixon sees a bright spot in Philadelphia’s Promise Zone. “I’m not too familiar […]
Mantua: “You’re Never Really Alone if You Come to Work Here.”
Branon Gilmore makes enrichment for youths and adults in the Mantua area his priority every day when coming to work in the morning. Gilmore, 44, is the Center Director for the West Philadelphia Community Center on Haverford Avenue near 35th Street. For 10 years, he has been working for Caring People Alliance, an agency partnering with the […]
Mantua: Residents Seek Stronger Communication with City Hall
Redevelopment, providing accessible fresh food and strengthening communication between politicians and their constituents are all priorities that Mantuans are talking about in regards to the upcoming mayoral election. “I think we had a lot of stuff on the backburner for years and those smaller things are becoming boulders,” said Mantua Civic Association president De’Wayne Drummond. “So […]
Mantua: 5 Construction Sites to Keep An Eye On
The West Philadelphia neighborhood of Mantua has been getting nationwide attention for being a part of President Barack Obama’s Promise Zone project. This plan was set up in order to build safe public spaces and to strengthen federal assistance in housing, education and public safety. Today, a year after Mantua was designated as a Promise Zone, […]
Mantua: One Year Later, Community Wonders if Promise Will Be Kept
The White House designated part of West Philadelphia as one of five Promise Zones one year ago this January. The designation will last for another nine years, but while most organizations involved look positively on the first year, some Mantua residents are less impressed. With help from the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grant, the Philadelphia police force and […]
Lancaster Avenue: Community Begins Discussing Future Plans For The Promise Zone
After recently becoming one of President Obama’s first sets of five Promise Zones this past January, West Philadelphia community leaders held their first open meeting at the Morton McMichael School in Mantua last month. The purpose of the meeting was to inform residents and business owners about the designation and what it will mean for […]
Mantua: Promise Zone Residents Have Mixed Feelings Regarding Property Tax
(Above: P. Agnes Builder Construction Managers has built two previous state-of-the-art buildings for Drexel University. This site marks their third project on Spring Garden and 35th streets.) At the start of the new-year, the small and impoverished neighborhood of Mantua has faced a 64 percent increase in property taxes, forcing many life-long residents to either find […]