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Announcement:
Queen Lane Community Meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday
of each month.
March's meeting is the exception.
PHA's next Queen Lane Community Meeting will be held on Thursday,
June 14, 2012 from 6-8pm at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of
Germantown, 5333 Pulaski Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
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Overview
PHA plans to demolish the Queen Lane high-rise at 301 W. Queen
Lane in Germantown and construct 55 new, affordable rental units
for individuals and families. The new development will feature a
management office and community room.
PHA will send out notices and inform the community about future
meetings and demolition activities. Please check this page
regularly for more information and updates.
Left: Proposed layout of Queen Lane redevelopment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is PHA not building homeownership units at the new Queen
Lane?
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There is a critical need for affordable rental housing in the
City and in the Germantown neighborhood.
PHA has built homeownership units at some of its new, mixed
income developments in the recent past. Unfortunately, the HOPE VI
funding used to build these rental and homeownership developments
is no longer available. In addition, it's very important to
note that the current housing market is discouraging for new home
sales.
Please be advised that PHA's Homeownership Department does offer
opportunities through its homeownership counseling program; its
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV - formerly Section 8) Homeownership
Program, and its 5H Homeownership Program for scattered sites
residents wanting to buy the house they currently occupy. You can learn more about PHA's
Homeownership Programs here.
- What will happen to Kelly Playground?
- Housing will be built along the periphery of the site,
including a portion of what is now the playground. PHA is working
with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on
the Section 106 historical preservation process.
Learn more about the 106 process at HUD's website.
- Will construction disturb the burial grounds?
- PHA's intent is to avoid disturbing the potter's field. The
Queen Lane high rise was constructed on a portion of the potter's
field which was "a burial place for all Strangers, Negroes and
Mulattos as Die in any part of Germantown, forever." The field
dates back to 1755 and PHA is sensitive to the historic nature of
the sites. PHA staff is working with experts to address any
issues.
- How will the community benefit?
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PHA's redevelopment efforts positively impact the communities we
serve. Crime rates have dropped dramatically while property values
have risen in neighborhoods where PHA demolished high-rises and
rebuilt modern developments.
PHA's construction efforts are also an economic engine that
creates jobs for the community. Between October 2009 and October
2010, there were 2,055 new hires for PHA construction projects.
Almost 30% of the new hires were public housing residents or
low-income residents of the metropolitan area.
In addition, the demolition of the high-rise, the development of
55 new units and treatment of the potter's field will improve the
aesthetics of the neighborhood. Community members will also have
access to the new community space at Queen Lane.
- What services does PHA offer to residents?
- PHA offers a wide variety of services to residents including
education, job skills training, job placement, healthy lifestyle,
nutrition, recreation and independent living programs for youth,
adults and elderly residents. A service coordinator will be
available on site part-time at the new Queen Lane development as
well.
- What is the timeline for construction?
- The proposed schedule is:
| Demolition Planning |
December 19, 2011 |
| Demolition Preparation Start |
March 15, 2012 |
| Demolition Implosion |
To be determined |
| Demolition Complete |
August 15, 2012 |
| Construction Start |
August 15, 2012 |
| Construction Complete |
July 31, 2013 |
Documents
If you have additional questions about the Queen
Lane redevelopment, please
email us at queenlane@pha.phila.gov or call 215-684-4112.
