Race Street Closure
Drexel’s development of a greener, more pedestrian-friendly residential environment for our students and neighbors took a major step forward when Mayor Michael Nutter signed a Philadelphia City Council bill approving the permanent closure to vehicles of Race Street between 33rd and 34th streets. The thorough fare will become a pedestrian and bicycle artery at the center of our North Mall development, which will encompass the bulk of our student residences as well as auxiliary student services. This milestone was achieved with the support of 3rd District Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and the Powelton Village Civic Association, headed by President Michael Zuckerman, and a key role was played by Brian Keech, Drexel’s vice president for government and community relations.
Integrated Sciences Building (ISB)
The Integrated Sciences Building will continue the transformation of the University City Main Campus, offering modern teaching labs and classrooms, while incorporating many sustainable design features, making it Drexel's first LEED-certifiable building. The building will consist of 130,000 square feet, a 5-story Bio-Filter Wall in a sunlit central atrium, 68,000 square feet of laboratory space, 28,000 square feet of classroom and administrative space, and 770 square feet of retail space. Construction is projected for completion in the Fall 2010.
Race Street Dormitory
The Office of Government and Community Relations (OGCR) has played a very significant role in the construction of the new dormitory on Race Street. After negotiations with the Powelton Village Civic Association (PVCA) and their approval as well as with the great support and help of Representative’s Jannie Blackwell aboard, the construction of the new dormitory was under way. The project was finished in March of 2007. The new dorm is like East and North Hall with common rooms in the floor lobbies and suite arrangements for the students. Four people are assigned to a suite. This will allow Drexel University to move its residents from Kelly Hall to the new one on Race Street, and remodel Kelly Hall in a major way. The refurbished dormitory was ready on September of 2007.
