New Kensington Community Development Corp. has launched a
$17 million project to convert a dilapidated old mill into a mixed-use project
that will include affordable housing.
The organization had been eying the five-story,
70,000-square-foot building at Ruth and Somerset streets for years.
Just four blocks away from its offices, the former
Orinoka Mills textile factory was an eyesore that was dragging down a community
that is on the upswing.
The neighborhood is more stable than it has been,
neighborhood associations have been formed and inroads have been made in
cleaning up some of the drug activity that plagued it. The community group and
the city are already focused on revitalizing the area north of Lehigh Avenue.
“Once you get stabilization done, you can work on the
infrastructure,” said Sandy Salzman, executive director at NKCDC. “There are a
lot of needs in our community.”
At the behest of the community group, the city bought the
property at sheriff’s sale three years ago and paved the way for it to come up
with a plan for it. The community group also got help from the city’s office of
housing and community development, among other city and state groups.
Plans are underway to convert the building into 51
apartments and 1,000 square feet of retail space. It will also have a community
room for tenants and residents. In addition, there will be new lighting,
sidewalks will be repaired and trees will be planted. It will be called Orinoka
Civic House.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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