Site being demolished by
wrecking ball
PHA's recently appointed Administrative Receiver Michael P.
Kelly, an architect with a LEED Green Associate Certification from
the U.S. Green Building Council, believes that the new Norris
Apartments are a cutting edge development. He told the crowd at the
demolition ceremony that the new development is modern,
sustainable, and affordable…a win-win for the residents and the
environment.
The old Norris high-rise development is being dismantled by
wrecking ball, the first time PHA has used the lower cost
conventional demolition rather than implosion to take down one of
its old high rises. Construction of the new development is expected
to begin on April 1st with completion expected in one
year.
The new Norris Apartments will have 51 units in a mix of walkups
and townhomes. The design includes a small pocket park in the
center courtyard that provides residents some green space while
limiting rainwater runoff into the city sewer system. PHA expects
to save at least 20 percent in energy costs at the new homes
because LEED standards are so high.
(PHILADELPHIA, March 25, 2011)- Demonstrating
that its transformative construction program continues, the
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) today began demolition of the
Norris Apartments just off the edge of the Temple University campus
in North Philadelphia to make way for a high-performance green
development. The high-rise development is being dismantled by
wrecking ball, the first time PHA has used the lower cost
conventional demolition rather than implosion to take down one of
its old high rises. PHA's recently appointed Administrative
Receiver Michael P. Kelly made the ceremonial first wrecking ball
hit into the high-rise.
PHA will replace this 1950's building with the agency's
first-ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
certified complex. LEED is an environmentally oriented
building certification program. The program focuses on five key
areas of environmental and human health: energy efficiency, indoor
environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site
development, and water savings. LEED standards are nationally
accepted for the design, construction, and operation of
high-performance green buildings.
Kelly, an architect with a LEED Green Associate Certification
from the U.S. Green Building Council said, "I am excited to be a
part of this cutting edge development. The new Norris Apartments
signify PHA's progressive approach to developing housing to the
underserved population in the city. These apartments are modern,
sustainable and affordable. That makes it a win-win for the
residents and the environment. "
The new development will have 51 units in a mix of walkups and
townhomes in an area bounded by Diamond, Norris, 11th and Alder
Streets. The design includes a small pocket park in the center
courtyard of the new development that provides residents some green
space while limiting rainwater runoff into the city sewer system.
The new Norris will also host a pilot project with the Philadelphia
Water Department to reduce storm water runoff from adjacent
streets.
The new homes will also have solar hot water panels on the roof,
Energy Star windows, equipment and appliances, low flow plumbing
fixtures, compact fluorescent light (CFL) fixtures, and native
landscaping. The design of the new development also uses cross
ventilation.
PHA expects to save at least 20 percent in energy costs at the
new homes because LEED standards are so high. Those standards also
require the agency to buy locally made materials as much as
possible. This reduces PHA's "carbon footprint" by reducing the
amount of energy it takes to transport building materials to the
site.
Construction of the new development will begin on April
1st with completion expected in one year. There is room
at the site to build more homes and Kelly said PHA will at a later
point evaluate whether to add to the original 51 units.
