The district must take on a new function. The Schuylkill West Bank is the number one land resource for future growth of Center City's commercial core. Institutional use represents expansion of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. As the universities continue to expand towards the Schuylkill River, they will improve their visibility and their ties to the downtown area. In addition, expanding in this direction will avoid neighborhood conflicts in other parts of West Philadelphia.
New development is recommended.
New development that is well planned and well designed will play a very important role in reshaping the Schuylkill West Bank district. Dense development is appropriate here because of the public transportation and the close-in, central Philadelphia location. New buildings and developments should contain a mixture of uses. Retail services will be needed as more jobs are created here, and designs that create activity and visual interest at the ground floor will help improve the area's pedestrian environment. Pedestrian-friendly design is a key objective.