Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Point Breeze

Point Breeze is a neighborhood in the South Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is generally bound by 25th Street to the west, Washington Avenue to the north, Broad Street to the east, and Mifflin Street to the south. Southwest Center City lies to its north, and Passayunk Square lies to its east. Point Breeze is divided from Grays Ferry to the west by a CSX railway viaduct over 25th Street.

Name Origin

'Point Breeze' was originally the name given to a spot on the west side of the Schuylkill River. Point Breeze Avenue then became the road that cut southwest to provide access to the spot from what was at the time Philadelphia proper. Point Breeze Avenue today serves as the major artery for the community now known as Point Breeze.

Social Issues

The Point Breeze neighborhood suffered from abandonment and population decline throughout the mid 20th century. Today it contains some of South Philadelphia's most problematic hotspots for violent crime and poverty.

The northern section of Point Breeze has seen some renewed development. A great deal of new construction and rehabilitation of existing homes is beginning from around Wharton Street to Washington Avenue, owing to Point Breeze's proximity to Southwest Center City/the Graduate Hospital area and the Broad Street Line subway. Point Breeze south of Washington Avenue is also experiencing a changing environment. Newly renovated homes and more affordable new construction has attracted young buyers.

The bordering area between South St. and Washington Avenue (Grays Ferry or Graduate Hospital) has improved dramatically. The newly completed Naval Square contains upscale housing, and the blocks above Washington have seen a dramatic increase in renovations and home sales.

Demographics

The racial makeup of the neighborhood is 78% African American, 8% White, 11% Asian, and 1% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race are 2% of the population. About 30 percent of the population is under 18.

Notable Residents

Black Thought - Hip Hop Artist
Rasual Butler - Professional basketball player
Heath Brothers - Jazz musicians
Beanie Sigel - Hip Hop Artist
H. Patrick Swygert - President of Howard University
Joseph Bonaparte - King of Naples and Sicily (1806-1808) and King of Spain and Indies (1808-1814). Self-exiled. Lived in Point Breeze from 1815 to 1832 as comte of Suvilliers.
Christian E. Griffin - President and Managing Director of the Griffin Group International. Vice President and Treasurer of the Eta Beta Chapter of Phi Rho Eta Fratenity Inc.

Source of Article:

Wikipedia. (2008). Point Breeze, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 29, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Breeze%2C_Philadelphia%2C_Pennsylvania

Point Breeze Performing Arts Center
Point Breeze Revitalization Project