PHA Executive Director Greene,
HUD Secretary Donovan, Mayor Nutter, Senator Specter and
Congressman Bob Brady join the ribbon-cutting at the home of
Christine Deveaux, one of Warnock's first residents
PHA Executive Director Greene,
Senator Specter, and HUD Secretary Donovan join Ms. Christine
Deveaux on a tour of her new, accessible home at Warnock
Village.
HUD Secretary Donovan, PHA
Executive Director Greene, and Senator Specter meet during the
grand opening of Warnock Village.
PHA Executive Director Carl Greene led HUD officials, elected
leaders and residents on a tour of Warnock Village today, giving
visitors a firsthand look at some of the energy saving features and
green building techniques used in PHA's newest neighborhood.
U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, Mayor Michael Nutter
and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan applauded Greene for his
redevelopment vision and PHA's ability to effectively administer
more than $125 million in stimulus funds to rebuild neighborhoods
and create jobs for Philadelphia families. To date, PHA has awarded
over $100 million in stimulus funds to local contractors, creating
more than 3,000 jobs.
"Warnock Village is another great example of how PHA continues to
redefine public housing," said Greene. "Today we are building and
operating quality sites with contemporary and accessible designs,
advanced technologies, and a host of energy efficient features for
our residents."
"Green building can and should be an engine of economic growth and
job creation in communities across the country," said HUD Secretary
Shaun Donovan. "PHA is a model for green building and a leading
example in promoting energy efficiency, reducing energy costs, and
creating quality, green jobs. I am proud to be part of the grand
opening of Warnock Village today, which will contribute to the
clean energy economy right here in Philadelphia, and will also
provide a place where residents of this community can safely live,
work and raise families."
Warnock Village Phase I includes 50 rental homes, featuring
central air, carpeting, modern kitchens and Energy Star appliances.
Warnock Village is the first development in Philadelphia to feature
fully automatic sprinklers in every unit through a pilot project
with the Philadelphia Fire Department.
"Warnock Village serves as an excellent example of how public
housing can employ green building techniques," Senator Specter
said. "These transformational activities are an important
investment that will substantially reduce energy costs for
residents and the Philadelphia Housing Authority, as well as reduce
greenhouse gas emissions attributable to energy consumption."
Visitors also toured Phase II, which is still under construction.
It features a three-story, 45-unit apartment building for seniors,
with office/retail space, a community room and an accessible green
roof. The building is scheduled to open early 2010.
"Warnock Village is another example of PHA doing great things for
the residents of Philadelphia." Senator Casey said. "Through
their ongoing efforts, PHA continues to be a leader in creating
jobs, redeveloping communities and using green building
technologies."
Officials had an opportunity to tour the Phase II building's
environmentally-friendly green roof, PHA's second. In the past 4
years, PHA has undertaken a number of aggressive energy
conservation and weatherization initiatives, yielding an estimated
$1.6 million in annual energy savings for the agency.