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What's Next For Ludlow?

By Michael McDevitt, Mike Sands and Robert Dougherty

The Ludlow section of North Philadelphia is growing. This once-decrepit community oftentimes dubbed a “slum” is the beginning stages of massive transformation. State grants have been allocated for new construction to take place and raise this area to a level it has not been to before.

The Philadelphia Housing Department donated $17 million to be used for new homes in Ludlow.  Previously, rundown housing and abandoned lots

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has contributed millions to the renovation of Ludlow.

dominated the area.  Now, with the help of the community and HUD, new housing is going up around the community. New housing brings new hopes for the community. Glass-ridden fields will have houses on them.  Boarded up complexes will see beneficial living establishments.  The promise is everywhere. The question is: what's next?      

Can Ludlow grow to a great community free from crime and poverty? Can Ludlow bring in the necessary components to achieve a status it has never been to before?

Marvin Louis is hopeful it can. Louis is a community activist who has been fighting to resurrect Ludlow for over 40 years. Louis has lived in Ludlow his entire life.  He has seen the poverty and crime, and yet he has not moved out of the community.  He has faith in Ludlow. He was a prominent figures

This playground could not have been built without the help of Marvin Louis.

in setting up the Cruz Center associated with James Ludlow Elementary School. 

Girard Avenue is a major street for Ludlow. It, too, is experiencing a transformation.  Condominiums and new businesses are being built on the strip. The community is excited to see new buildings on Girard.  It brings optimism that there is something great awaiting the community of Ludlow.

This trolley runs down Girard Aveune.

While business owners are immensely pleased with the new construction, it remains to be seen how the community will react. It is part of the growing process.  There is no way to gauge how the community will react.

Louis fears the business will chase out those who live in the community. It can be perceived that this is a gentrification process in that

people already financially stable are moving into the community. The fear of chasing away those already in the community is real.

                                                                                                            These are the issues facing this community in North Philadelphia. There is so much promise for the area, but with it comes many questions.