Maplewood Mall Reconstruction

The City of Philadelphia is rebuilding the roadway, sidewalks, and plazas of Maplewood Mall. The City’s goal is to rebuild the Mall as a great public space and shopping street that will help the overall improvement of Central Germantown. Germantown United CDC is on the ground and supporting the City’s community liaison on the project. We will post updates here under the “Construction Updates” header, as they are made available. The organization is also contracted to advertise the Mall as “open for business” during construction and will be providing marketing and advertising support specifically to businesses on the Mall.

Maplewood Mall Reconstruction

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Download a copy of the project fact sheet.

VIEW CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

THE PROJECT INCLUDES

• A brick roadway with two loading zones
• Sidewalks with street trees, pedestrian lights, and bollards
• Water main replacement
• Plazas with seating, pedestrian lights, landscaping, and public art
• Bicycle racks and trash cans

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Demolition and reconstruction of the water main and all paved surfaces (not including private property)
• Access to businesses and homes will remain throughout the project

WHERE

• Maplewood Mall and Armat Street, between Germantown Avenue and Greene Street

WHEN

• Construction began on November 18, 2019
• Work will be done in sections to limit the disruption to businesses and residents
• Construction is expected to be complete by the end of November 2020

PROJECT CONTACTS

• The construction team will maintain an office on the mall at 54 Maplewood Mall
• Juan Sandoval, On-Site Field Inspector, Gannet Fleming
  54 Maplewood Mall, 717-304-3877
• Matt Wysong, City of Philadelphia
  1515 Arch Street, 13th Floor, 215-683-4650
• Emaleigh Doley, Germantown United CDC
  5320 Germantown Avenue, 215-856-4303

Project Timeline

The most recent updates are listed first. This section was last updated on January 28, 2020.

2020

• Meeting Announcement: Central Germantown Public Information Session, Monday, February 3, 2020 from 6pm to 7:45pm. There’s a lot going on in Central Germantown these days! Wanna be in the know? Come to our Public Information Session and Please Share with Your Networks!

   What to Expect:
  – Get updates on Maplewood Mall construction activities
  – Contribute to Maplewood Mall’s public art project
  – See plans and get information on upcoming construction for the Chelten Greene Plaza project
  – Learn about sidewalk cleaning efforts
  – Meet staff from the City’s Commerce, Planning & Development, and Streets Departments; and Germantown United CDC
  – Ask Questions, Get Answers.

  Location: Greene Street Friends School (enter from Armat Street, between Germantown Ave and Greene St)
  Contact: Matt Wysong, 215-683-4650, matt.wysong@phila.gov

2019

• Construction began on November 18, 2019.
• On November 14, Mayor Jim Kenney visited Germantown to talk with Mall businesses and residents about the project. 
• On November 12, the City of Philadelphia issued a press release announcing the start of construction: City to Break Ground on Maplewood Mall Reconstruction
• During the reconstruction project, access to the businesses on the street, and the general unsightliness of a construction site, may be a hindrance to businesses’ ability to attract customers and foot traffic. Germantown United CDC is contracted to advertise the Mall as “open for business” during construction and will be providing marketing and advertising support specifically to businesses on the Mall. The marketing campaign will feature professionally designed and customized materials, including:
  1. Print brochures/postcards/flyers
  2. Sign fabrication and installation (street signage/banners)
  3. Social media and print advertising
  Work on the marketing campaign is set to begin in November 2019. The organization applied for and received a Corridor Enhancement Grant from the Department of Commerce specifically to support this campaign.
• A ceremonial groundbreaking for the project was announced, to be held on October 31, 2:30pm, RAIN OR SHINE, in the Greene Street Plaza of Maplewood Mall. This is a public event, and elected and City officials will be in attendance. (Update 10/31/19: The groundbreaking ceremony was canceled due to the weather.) 
• The pre-construction information session on November 12, 6pm, has been moved to the Greene Street Friends School, Multipurpose Room (enter from Armat Street). Residents, business, and property owners will have an opportunity to meet the community liaison. The liaison will present a construction plan and schedule. They will be available to answer questions and address concerns. Additionally, the artist leading the public art project will be at the meeting to discuss community engagement activities over the coming year.
• The Philadelphia Water Department has mailed a second round of lead water pipe replacement notices to all property owners on the Mall. We encourage you to complete and submit this form. More information is included with that mailing. (At the time of publication, Oct. 29.)
• It is anticipated that construction preparation work will begin during the week of November 11. Construction of the new water main will begin the week of November 18.
• The construction contract was awarded in September 2019. 

2011 – 2012

Way back when… During the planning process for the Central Germantown Beautification Plan, the reconstruction of Maplewood Mall was identified as a top priority of the Germantown community.  This process included three public meetings in 2011 and 2012 which attracted 175 attendees. View the plan.

More: Maplewood Mall Makeover, Coming Soon To Germantown
June 26, 2013 | Hidden City

That 70s sign: the Maplewood Mall directory at the Mall and Germantown Avenue |Photo: Bradley Maule via Hidden CityPhoto: Bradley Maule via Hidden City

2013 – 2010

On June 15, 2013, the City announced $3.3 Million in funding for the reconstruction project. Representatives of the Maplewood Mall stakeholders group (residents, businesses, and property owners) participated in the selection of a design consultant for the project.

Over the course of the design process, the project team spoke to the public at six events about the Mall design.  These events attracted over 300 total attendees.  The final design of the Mall was also highlighted through the Philadelphia2035 Upper Northwest District Plan. View the plan.

Additionally, the Project Team has held ten meetings with Mall Stakeholders and provide numerous email and hand-delivered project updates.

More: $3.3M Maplewood Mall remake to break ground in 2019
November 13, 2018 | WHYY/PlanPhilly

Community Outreach & Engagement

June 15, 2013: Public Project Announcement
June 22, 2013: Block Party (Public outreach for design preferences)
July 29, 2013: Stakeholder Meeting
July 30, 2013: Community Group Meeting
October 19, 2013: Block Party (Public outreach for design preferences)
December 4, 2013: Stakeholder Meeting
February 20, 2014: Stakeholder Meeting (Stakeholders presented their vision for the Mall)
March 2014: Stakeholder Representatives participated in design consultant selection
May 31, 2014: Spring Festival (Info for public regarding design process)
August 26, 2014: Stakeholder Meeting
September 9, 2014: Public Meeting
December 18, 2014: Stakeholder Meeting
January 18, 2015: Mall Stakeholder Meeting
July 1, 2015: Mall Stakeholder Meeting
December 2015: Notice Regarding test borings on site
March 7, 2018: Mall Stakeholder Meeting
March 26, 2018: Philadelphia2035 Public Meeting
August 15, 2018: Mall Stakeholder Meeting
December 31, 2018: Update Letter to Public
March 25, 2019: Update Letter to Stakeholders
May 1, 2019: Update Letter to Stakeholders
July 1, 2019: Update Letter to Stakeholders
October 1, 2019: Update Letter to Stakeholders
October 19, 2019: Public Art Outreach at Vernon Park Bazaar
November 1, 2019: Update Letter to Stakeholders
November 12, 2019: Stakeholder Meeting