Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director Michael
Kelly (center) cuts the ribbon to formally open the agency's newest
development, Mantua Square, in West Philadelphia. The ceremony was
part of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Officials (NAHRO) "Housing America" month celebration.
Also shown are (l-r):
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, John Bohm of
NAHRO, resident liaison Nellie Reynolds, State Senator Vincent
Hughes, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, resident Donald Rice,
Councilman William Greenlee, and Liz Hersh, Executive Director of
the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania.
Mantua Square surrounds a gated courtyard with ample green
space and 92 parking spaces for residents. The green space helps
with storm water management. Photovoltaic solar panels with the
capability of generating up to 200 megawatts of power annually are
mounted on the roof.
Event highlights importance of
affordable housing programs
(Philadelphia, PA October 4, 2011) - The
Philadelphia Housing Authority formally opened the award-winning
Mantua Square at 35th Street and Fairmount Avenue in West
Philadelphia today as part of the National Association of Housing
and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) "Housing America" month
celebration. The development stands on the former site of an
outdated 18-story high rise building demolished in March
2008.
PHA highlighted the opening as part of a national effort to raise
awareness about the importance of affordable housing and community
development programs, as well as the challenges currently facing
these programs.
"Mantua Square represents another landmark achievement for PHA in
its commitment to provide quality, affordable, and environmentally
friendly housing in the city," said Michael P. Kelly, the agency's
Executive Director. "We intend to make a lasting, positive impact
in the neighborhood and become a catalyst for local economic
growth."
The new development occupies a full square block with a mixture of
walk-up apartments and duplexes totaling 101 units. The square
surrounds a gated courtyard with ample green space and 92 parking
spaces for residents. The green space also helps with storm water
management. Photovoltaic solar panels with the capability of
generating up to 200 megawatts of power annually are mounted on the
roof.
The Housing America campaign is spearheaded by NAHRO, an
organization of housing and community development agencies.
"We are very proud of the work the Philadelphia Housing Authority
has done and Mantua Square is a shining example of the good work
PHA has done in the community," said NAHRO CEO Saul N. Ramirez, Jr.
"With the Census Bureau reporting nearly 1 in 6 people lived in
poverty in 2010, providing decent, affordable places to live in
safe neighborhoods is more important than ever."
Mantua Square addresses the blight that has plagued the community
over the past 50 years, while setting an example for other
developers through the sustainable, efficient use of land and
buildings. The new development complements and encourages current
revitalization efforts in the neighborhood and will reinforce
future reinvestment activity by both the public and private
sector.
Congressman Chaka Fattah, a senior member of the U.S. House
Appropriations Committee and longtime advocate for affordable
housing in Philadelphia, said, "Every day that we visit Mantua we
see a neighborhood on the rise. PHA, with its vision and the
backing of federal resources, has been a major player in that
rebound. Today at Mantua Square we have the shining example of
their efforts - 101 units, plus parkland, commercial and community
space. Congratulations to Director Kelly and his staff for another
successful contribution to the city's affordable housing needs and
neighborhood rejuvenation."
The Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Authorities (PAHRA) recently recognized Mantua Square with its
"Best Practices" award for design excellence. The revitalized site
improves the aesthetics of the neighborhood while fitting in with
the surrounding fabric of three story homes.
PHA's philosophy of sustainability and the agency's concern for
environmental issues are reflected in the design of Mantua Square.
The development has created green space where little or none
existed before by including a courtyard with shade trees and
benches. An infiltration bed under the courtyard and adjacent
parking space reduces the amount of storm water that goes into the
sewer system by sending it into the ground instead. The solar
panels will produce clean, electric energy that will be used in
part by the commercial space and common area at the site, with the
rest going to the electric grid.
The redeveloped site contains 7,400 square feet of commercial
space, intended to attract more businesses to the area. PHA also
has a management office and a community center at the site.
Mantua Square is accessible to Lancaster Avenue, a
well-established commercial corridor that has grocers, pharmacies,
clothing stores, and other services. It is also accessible to
Powelton Village, University City, Center City (Art Museum and
Fairmount Park), and the Philadelphia Zoo. The Mantua neighborhood
is working class, but has seen an influx of Drexel University
student renters and renewed interest from both Drexel and the
University of Pennsylvania.
PHA invested $28.1 million to build the new homes at Mantua
Square, including approximately $10 million from the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Capital Fund Recovery
Competition.