PHA breaks ground on largest project in its history

The Philadelphia Housing Authority broke ground today on a 10-year, estimated $526 million project they call their largest ever.

The project hopes to transform the Sharswood/Blumberg community in North Philadelphia, which is north of Girard Avenue, south of Cecil B. Moore Avenue and between 19th and 27th streets running east and west. It’s a 10-phase project that will create 100 jobs per phase, 1,200 new housing units, 500,000 square feet of commercial space along Ridge Avenue that will be anchored by a new PHA headquarters and a supermarket, said Kelvin Jeremiah, PHA president and CEO, at this afternoon’s press conference.

“After more than three years and in fact, probably over the last 20 years, we’ve been promising to do some work in Blumber/Sharswood and today, today we are delivering on that promise,” Jeremiah said. “The wait is over.”

Jerimiah also said that studies conducted by PHA say the transformation, which is about a month behind schedule, could have a potential $1.4 billion economic impact on the area.

Along with Jerimiah, Mayor Michael Nutter, Council President Darrell Clarke, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Brian Hudson, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency executive director and CEO and more were present for the groundbreaking.

“This is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about kids being able to play in the street. It’s about adults having a roof over their head, it’s about seniors being able to truly live their lives with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” Nutter said. “That’s what transformation is truly all about.”

The project, which was kickstarted by a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is currently in the final stages of relocating 500 families living in the Blumberg sites.

Jerimiah said that all relocated residents have the “right to return” after the new units are built – however, it could be years until families see that option.

To ease the transition, the PHA said there have been more than 40 community meetings, though one representative said it hasn’t come without tension from neighbors.

All family sites will be relocated by Sept. 8 and demolition of the current buildings are planned to begin in November.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal