Cathedral Park Association

Changes are coming

4900 Girard Project

It has been a long time coming, but the project is slated to be back in progress soon. The project definition was planned in 1990 by the community under the direction of its legal counsel, Frances Minnis, Esq.

The West Philadelphia Empowerment Zone allocated funds for a Vacant Land Management programd that was designed to transform vacant lots and the space created by the demolition of dilapidated buildings into green spaces. Community-based organizations, block groups, and residents was empowered to take contraol over the vacant land, converti it into productive uses, and overssee the maintenance of the land. The goal was to stabilizze between 8 and 10 model sites for a total of 2-2.5 acres of vacant land in the West Philadelphia Empowerment Zone. Cathedral Park was the only community totally encompassed by the Empowerment Zone initiatives. Properties located at 4900 Lancaster Avenue and 4910-16 Thompson Street saw significant changes, which included wall murals.