Philadelphia, PA − August 2 – Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), announced today that $4.5 million in grants have been awarded under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to fund projects that will benefit residents of Philadelphia’s 3rd Senate District.
“These investments in Philadelphia are essential to providing the quality of living all communities should enjoy, including greater access to affordable housing, enhanced health and human services and revitalized recreational spaces,” said Senator Street. “I will also continue to fight for investments in North Philadelphia’s renaissance by supporting the resurgence of the iconic Uptown Theatre and other historic fixtures along the North Broad Street Corridor.”
The following organizations received RACP funding, which is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity. They are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of the Capital Budget Itemization Act.
Allegheny West Foundation 22nd Street Commercial & Community Development: $1,000,000
The project will improve and benefit the community by supplying more community space through the new construction of a recreation center located at Panati Playground on the N. 22nd Street Commercial Corridor. The current recreation center serves as the central location for recreation and public participation for nearby neighborhoods and the Allegheny West community. After further inspection into the scope, and discussions with the department of Parks & Recreation, the area council person, and Rebuild; it has been concluded that building a new recreation center will be better and more cost effective over time. The rec center is very small and does not have an adequate number of bathrooms. The project will entail rebuilding a one-story recreation center to house current and future programs in the community.
Hunt Development Group’s Sharswood Phase II: $750,000
Sharswood Phase II is a new construction, mixed-income, family development consisting of three, 15-unit multi-family buildings and 75 two- and three-bedroom townhomes along four blocks within the Sharswood neighborhood of Philadelphia. The buildings will contain 100 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units, and 20 market rate units. The unit mix will consist of 59% three-bedrooms, 33% two-bedrooms, and 8% one-bedrooms. 12 of the units will be restricted to 20% of the Area Median Income (AMI), or below, 49 units will be restricted to 50% AMI or below, 39 units will be restricted to 60% AMI or below, and 20 units will be unrestricted but set at 80% AMI. Of the total units, 51% of the units are restricted to 50% AMI or below. 60 units will have Project-Based Vouchers, provided by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, set at FMR. This phase will contain a community center and all buildings will meet Enterprise Green Communities standards with Energy Star appliances.
Uptown Theater: $750,000
Redeveloping the Uptown Theater will address community stabilization issues, increase property values, provide opportunities for residents to gain access to sustainable employment, address crime and safety issues and address the educational needs of the surrounding community. The theater is an anchor for development in an economically distressed area. Funds will be used for: Demolition from Basement to 6th Floor, provide new exterior doors, provide new windows, Renovation of restrooms, lobby and stair lobbies, with entrance door at each level, Renovation of north stair tower, remove existing roofing and install new rubber roofing, New security station, renovate existing elevator, HVAC, Electrical, and Replace Lintels. Also install Terra Cotta coping, Servicing fire suppression system, Plumbing, Terra Cotta Tile Installation, Roof Repair, Installation of radio tower and studio, restore box office Restore marquee, install LED lights, Renovate and restore street level façade, and Restore subway entrance to theater.
Mathematics Civics & Science Charter School Gymnasium Construction: $1,000,000
The Gymnasium will be constructed as a two-story, pre-engineered metal building, and will include a high school regulation size basketball court, as well as two junior high sized, overlapping cross-courts. The proposed bleacher seating will accommodate approximately 295 people. The support spaces, which include restrooms and changing rooms, storage, and utility spaces, will be constructed as a one-story, pre-engineered metal building and will be located immediately adjacent to the Gymnasium. The building addition will be connected to the existing building by a vestibule, constructed primarily of an aluminum storefront system. The area located between the existing building and the new addition, which is approximately 1500 SF, will be converted into a courtyard for the students.
William Way LGBT Community Center: $1,000,000
The William Way LGBT Center is one of the only organizations in Philadelphia that meets the health, human service, social and cultural needs of the LGBT population. This project entails retaining and renovating the front portion of the existing building (1315 Spruce St.) while retaining its historic elements, as well as demolishing and replacing the rear wings. The project will add 9.800 square feet of usable space, including 51% increase in rental space, and make the building fully ADA compliant. Components of the project include: renovation of the front façade to make the building more welcoming; glazing and opening the new rear of the building to provide a second inviting entrance; restoring the historic lobby; creating gender-neutral bathrooms with full height toilet partitions; replacing the elevator for increased handicap access; creating a 2 story event space, central atrium, and offices; and replacing the elevator for increased handicap access.
###