Main Street Designation
In 2025, City Ave’s Bala Avenue, 54th Street, and 63rd Street nodes were designated as Main Streets by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). This designation is a part of the DCED’s Main Street Matters program, helping City Ave revitalize and develop the streets our businesses and residents call home for the next five years.
The Main Street Approach to community revitalization is centered around four pillars: Sustainable Organization, Quality Design, Effective Promotion, and Economic Vitality. This strategy allows Main Streets to develop intentionally and holistically with a focus on historic preservation, commercial improvements, and neighborhood assistance. City Ave District is recognized as a 2026 Main Street America Affiliate program due to its dedication and success in pursuing community development through these four pillars.
As a DCED-designated Main Street, City Ave’s three nodes will be eligible for targeted investment and development through various economic development programs. Over the next five years, City Ave will receive priority for grant applications through the Commonwealth, operational funding, and technical assistance. These programs will support City Ave’s initiatives which our focused on revitalizing these key corridors within and linking neighborhoods across the district. Through collaboration with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia, and Lower Merion Township, City Ave is emphasizing the importance of small businesses and thriving commercial corridors for sustainable, community-centered development.
Through the Main Street Program, City Ave is now listed as an Enterprise Zone. Businesses and developers with projects on City Ave District’s Main Streets are now eligible for a tax credit through the DCED’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP/EZP). This program allows businesses to receive a 25% tax credit for investments in physical infrastructure, promoting community development on City Ave District’s three Main Street nodes.
City Ave is dedicated to creating the best commercial and professional opportunities possible and keeping neighborhoods safe, clean, and vibrant throughout the district. With several development projects underway, this Main Street designation enhances our investment in the revitalization and improvement of our commercial corridors. City Ave has become a thriving locale to work, shop, and live, and with our designated Main Streets serving as neighborhood hubs, our community will continue to grow and improve.
Contact us
Grant Himes
Main Street Manager – City Ave District
Phone: 610-747-0311
Email: ghimes@cityave.org