Allegheny West

Type	Neighborhood
Location	North Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19132, 19140
Named for	Allegheny Avenue
Boundaries	Roughly Allegheny Avenue to Lehigh Avenue, Broad Street to 33rd Street
Adjacent	Strawberry Mansion, Nicetown-Tioga, Temple University Area
Major streets	Allegheny Avenue, Broad Street, 29th Street
Transit	Broad Street Line (Allegheny Station), SEPTA bus routes
Landmarks	Progress Plaza, historic rowhouse architecture

Allegheny West is a neighborhood in North Philadelphia located along and west of North Broad Street. The neighborhood faces significant economic challenges but has historic housing stock and is home to Progress Plaza, one of the nation's first African-American-owned shopping centers.

Progress Plaza

Progress Plaza is historically significant:

Opened 1968
One of first African-American-owned shopping centers in the U.S.
Development led by Rev. Leon Sullivan
Continues operating as community commercial center
Symbolizes Black economic empowerment

History

Allegheny West developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as North Philadelphia expanded. The neighborhood was home to working-class and middle-class families. Economic decline significantly impacted the area in the latter 20th century.

Character

Housing

Historic rowhouses
Victorian architecture in places
Mix of conditions
Significant vacancies
Very affordable

Challenges

High poverty rates
Unemployment
Crime concerns
Property abandonment
Limited services

Assets

Progress Plaza
Historic architecture
Broad Street Line access
Community organizations

Living in Allegheny West

Very affordable housing
Transit accessible
Significant challenges
Community revitalization efforts

Getting There

Broad Street Line: Allegheny Station
SEPTA buses: 4, 16
North Broad Street: Major corridor