|
The Philadelphia Housing Authority is wasting no time in stimulating the local economy as it begins work on a $43 million development in a neighborhood that really can use the investment.
Construction of the Warnock development in North Philadelphia has gotten off to a swift start. When completed late this year, Warnock will house 95 affordable rental units in two buildings, one for seniors and one for families.
“The recession has certainly made it more expensive to borrow money, but lenders and the public believe in us because of the successful track record we’ve compiled,” said PHA Executive Director Carl Greene. “Warnock Street is the latest example of what can be done through good times and bad when you follow a well-designed strategic plan and stick to doing what you do best.”
The family section of the development will have 50
walk-up units and town homes on the 2800 block of north Eleventh Street with off-street parking and first-rate amenities.
It will also have an added safety feature: all units will have sprinkler systems to reduce the risk of fires and catastrophic damage.
“Warnock is the first multi-unit, single family development that is fully sprinklered in the City,” said PHA architect Michael Johns. “We are a model, not just for public housing, but for private development, too.”
The senior phase is a three-story building that will include 45 apartments.The senior units will occupy all of the third floor and part of the second floor. The building – located on the 2800 block of Germantown Avenue - also has 36,000 square feet of commercial space. PHA will move some of its offices there from North Broad Street and is considering operating an adult day care center in the building as well.
PHA is in the process of transitioning many departments out of leased office space into office space that it owns. Moving the Housing Choice Voucher program headquarters from leased space on North Broad Street to space it owns on Germantown Avenue will save the agency a substantial amount of money.
In addition, the building will have a “green roof” that will be accessible to residents with seating areas and grills. The “green roof” will lessen storm water runoff that might overload the city’s sewer system while providing energy savings. It will also offer seniors a safe place to go and relax and even exercise.
“Nellie Reynolds Gardens was our first experience with a green roof, and our focus was strictly on environmental concerns,” Greene said. “When I climbed up and saw the newly installed roof for the first time I realized the concept wasn’t only good for the ecology, it also provided a scenic green space that seniors could use for activities. I determined at that point that for future green roofs we would include a recreational component where possible.”
PHA is hoping to duplicate its model from other formerly distressed parts of the city where it goes in first, and then sparks private market investment.
City Councilman Darrell Clarke, whose district includes the Warnock neighborhood said, “I’m very excited about this development. It’s in an area that’s had significant challenges over the years. The last development in that area was probably more than 10 years ago.”
Funding for Warnock was in place before the federal economic stimulus was approved. PHA has already announced it will use part of the stimulus money to completely renovate 300 vacant homes it owns scattered throughout the city, including Energy Star upgrades. Further construction plans from the stimulus funding will be announced soon.
|
