The History of Community Displacement in Mantua
It is hard to tell when to begin the story of community displacement in Mantua, because in some ways Mantua has been a constantly changing community since its inception. Originally, Mantua was founded as an affluent white Philadelphia suburb however as Philadelphia expanded and the public transportation extended west beyond the banks of the Schulkill river, lower class immigrant and African American workers moved in to the neighborhood thereby creating the first serious change in the character of the neighborhood. While this may not be understood as neighborhood displacement per se, because neighborhood displacement is usually associated with a large institution such as the government or a private entity removing individuals from their homes, nevertheless, this did change the character of the community.
Since these poorer working class communities moved in to Mantua in the 1920s the character of the neighborhood has more or less remained demographically similar. Specifically today, the vast majority of the people living in Mantua are low income African Americans.
While there is an established and long standing African American community in Mantua, the neighborhood itself is located in a rather precarious place and is constantly threatened by gentrification and community displacement because of its proximity to Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, two major landowners which are located quite close to Mantua.
The most significant displacement to occur in Mantua has been a result of Drexel University’s expansion north in to Mantua. In the next section we will briefly discuss the history of Drexel’s encroachment in to Mantua.
Drexel’s Encroachment
Drexel University’s presence in the area of Mantua began in 1889, with the construction of the Main Building on 32nd and Chestnut Streets, but it was not until the late 1950s that Drexel, then known as the Drexel Institute of Technology, began to expand into the residential area of Mantua.
Following World War II, many cities began the process of “urban renewal,” in efforts to revitalize city districts that suffered from the flight of homeowners and industry. Drexel, as well as other West Philadelphia institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, took this governmental push for redevelopment as a cue to expand. In 1957, the Drexel Institute of Technology issued a statement, entitled “Redevelopment in the Drexel Area” (Archives) which outlined ways in which the university could develop its holdings. The objectives of the study were:
a. “The determination of Drexel’s role as a catalytic agent in the removal renewal of the area surrounding it by stimulating community improvements and assisting in the elimination of undesirable conditions.
b. A determination of the existing physical, economic, and legal possibilities for Land acquisition in the area in order to accommodate Drexel’s expanding program and projective facilities.
c. The determination of Land, Building, and Campus requirements necessary to accommodate an expanding population”
It is evident by this study that Drexel sought to expand its land holdings into the existing neighborhood, which was deemed a redevelopment area by the City Planning Commission in 1948 and 1950. From 1950 to 1963 under the presidency of James Creese, Drexel constructed a large number of new buildings in newly acquired residential blocks under the auspice of “redevelopment.” These new facilities included the Engineering Laboratories Building (1950), a Basic Science Center (1955), the Korman Library Center (1959), a Campus Activities Center (1962), and a Classroom-Laboratories Building (1963).
According to Rick Redding of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, “at first much of [the land] was vacant or lowly occupied – demolish and rebuild…From 1910-1990, 1,700 buildings were taken over. Entire blocks of inhabited row houses, hotels, warehouses and distribution centers on Ludlow Street have been lost and what exists there now is a parking lot. It wasn’t until the 1970s however, that citizen participation entered the picture.
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In 1970, Drexel sought to continue its expansion with the 1970 Development Plan (Archives). This brought citizen participation into the planning picture, and received some community dissent from members of the Powelton Village neighborhood.
The Drexel expansion shows the danger of the urban renewal program that was implemented in the 1960s as large private institutions were given power by state institutions to expand their land holdings under the guise of revitalization. In these situations it is necessary to promote community involvement and organize to maximize community power.
Young Great Society & Community Activists
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In the mid 20th century, an increased poverty level coupled with a spike in the crime rate made Mantua in to a much more dangerous neighborhood. In response, over the next several decades, prominent members of the community stepped up to fight against crime, drugs, and blight. Most notably were the community organizers Herman Wrice, Lucien Blackwell, Andy Jenkins, Mary Jenkins, and Tim Spencer.
In the 1960s Herman Wrice became the driving force behind the Young Great Society, organized from his home on Spring Garden Street. The leaders of the “Young Greats” inspired the youth of Mantua to become proactive community organizers and leaders with the goal of increasing the prosperity of Mantua from the inside. According to an article in the New Philadelphia Observer (Archives) from February, 2001, “The program organized sports programs, day care centers, established other headquarters within the city, [and] opened a small business center that grossed over $1.5 million and helped hundreds of inner city kids further their education beyond high school.”
Below are Pictures of Children from Mantua playing in the 1960s.
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In the mid 1980s, Herman Wrice was also deeply involved with the establishment of Mantua Against Drugs (MAD) with other long term Mantua residents and activists, Gussie Glenn, James Underhill, Martha Allison, Peter Aborn, and Carlos Muniz, President. MAD focused its attention on attacking drugs and violence in Mantua through community activism and accountability. The group focused its attention on known drug corners, nuisance bars, and houses of ill repute. They protested these establishments with marches, often wearing signature white hard hats with the backing of police. According to the New Philadelphia Observer, “The tide of ear that had once paralyzed community action suddenly lifted. By 1989 over 25 Philadelphia communities were actively involved, staging “citywide” marches and “vigils” that focused on drug infested areas all over the city.”
Mantua Today
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Above: A closed storefront on a block in Mantua.
There is not much economic activity in Matua and many stores and homes are shuttered.
Presently, Mantua’s population is 94% African American, with 44% of residents living under the poverty line. Great signs of progress show that Philadelphia is paying attention to Mantua again and making its people a priority. The Mantua Neighborhood Plan (Neighborhood Plan) published by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission in 2005 shows a concerted study of the neighborhood and an assessment of measures to improve the community through blight removal, beautification and land stabilization efforts, and commercial and economic development in the area.
The programs and efforts outlined by the PCPC can be found here (PCPC).
Most recently, on March 28, 2008, the high rise public housing unit that towered over the neighborhood, Mantua Hall, was demolished by the Public Housing Authority.
Mantua Hall was built in 1959 as a high density solution to housing problems for low income Philadelphians. Its construction was part of a popular, post World War II movement for this kind of high rise development which is now seen as a failure by most city planners.
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Mantua Hall is slated to be replaced with low density, modern looking homes with set back porches and driveways. These new homes will also be public housing, but are designed to offer the occupants a better quality of life. Discussing the demolition of Mantua Hall, Third District Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell says, “I really see this as symbolic of the rebirth of Mantua,” she says. Centered around Mantua Hall, “this is an area that has had record numbers in poverty, infant mortality, drugs, and STDs. We are trying to transform back into a positive community.”
It is important to note that while the destruction of Mantua Hall was a great benefit to the neighborhood because it meant the end of a very dangerous and decrepit public housing unit, it also meant that many people lost their homes. Low rise houses will never be able to account for the number of people who lived in Mantua Hall, and though many people are happy to be living in better conditions, there is definitely a sense that a community was destroyed with the destruction of Mantua Hall.
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The Mantua Community Improvement Committee, founded in 2003 by Rick Young, represents a new generation of community leaders who are dedicated to improving life in Mantua as it changes to reflect a growing number of incoming residents. “MCIC was formed in 2003 as a vehicle to keep the streets of Mantua clean and safe. Since it’s inception, it has cleaned thousands of pounds of rubbish and weeds from vacant lots, and off the streets. MCIC is also committed to improving the overall quality of life in the community and to employing as many Mantua residents as possible. Founded by Rick Young on a philosophy of self-help and self–determination. MCIC is looking forward to many more years of growth and expansion as it fulfills its mission of helping
to maintain a healthy, safe, and clean community for the residents of Mantua.”
–MCIC website - http://www.mcic1.org
The Mantua Neighborhood Plan and the demolition of Mantua Hall represent a renewed sense of optimism for Mantua. Because of its proximity to Drexel University, The University of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Zoo, the area is quickly becoming a desirable area in which to live and housing prices are on the rise. Community organizations like MCIC are integral in facilitating the process of neighborhood improvement and revitalization while maintaining existing residents’ integrity and rights.
Below: A photograph of a residential block in Mantua today.
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Future Challenges For Mantua
As time goes on hopefully organizations like theMantua Community Improvement Committee will be able to improve the character of the neighborhood and the standard of living of the people who live there. However, this community improvement may prove tricky. As the neighborhood becomes nicer and more attractive, its proximity to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University may draw more people from those institutions in to Mantua, thereby increasing the property values of the neighborhood and perhaps eventually gentrifying the neighborhood leading to another wave of community displacement. The best way to prevent future communal displacement is to remain vigilant and aware of how the neighborhood is changing and by ensuring current Mantua residents what is going on around them. Hopefully, with the help of the many new community organizations in Mantua the neighborhood will only continue to improve, while at the same time adequately serving the needs of its current and future residents.
