PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Habitat for Humanity project in North Philadelphia, held up for months over a loss of parking spaces, finally passed City Council on Thursday.
Habitat had hoped to be completing seven affordable housing units in June. Instead, it will be breaking ground on six units.
That’s because neighbors near the corner of North 16th and Page streets have been using part of the vacant city-owned lots for parking, and they protested the new housing units.
In a city with a desperate need for affordable housing, the delay sparked criticism. But Council President Darrell Clarke, in whose district the development sits, said the delay was worth it.
“We were able to come up with a reasonable approach to a compromise that gave access to residents on the block, parking literally yards away from the existing parking, and still be able to build the affordable housing,” Clarke said.
“We think this is a win-win for all.”
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Clarke said the sacrifice of one unit to maintain parking is only acceptable because the city has imminent plans to announce hundreds of new affordable units, and a mechanism to build hundreds more over time.
But the Habitat construction is not completely a done deal.
The neighbors have asked the Historical Commission to declare their favored parking spot as historic, so it can’t be bulldozed for the new units.
Kenyatta Johnson returns for first Council session since federal court case
Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson was back in council Thursday for the first time in five weeks.
Johnson’s future remains uncertain after a mistrial was declared in his federal bribery case on Tuesday, but his colleagues seemed happy to have him back.
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“Good morning Council president. Good morning colleagues,” Johnson said as he checked into the virtual session the way he normally does, with a prayer for the victims of gun violence.
“Also most recently, 3-year-old Yaseem Jenkins, who was a 2019 survivor of gun violence who recently passed away.”
Since Council is still meeting on Microsoft Teams, there was no awkwardness about his return. In fact, Clarke said members were happy to see him.
“It was good to see his face on the screen,” said Clarke. “Councilman Johnson has been an extremely hard worker. I’m sure the residents of his district are happy to see him back at work.”
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“His voice has been a consistent voice to advocate for victims’ rights, and we pray that he and his family receive justice,” said Councilman Curtis Jones.
Johnson’s spokesman said he was happy to be back and happy with the support he received from colleagues and constituents, and the office never skipped a beat during the trial.
Johnson was charged with taking a bribe in the form of a consulting contract for his wife. Prosecutors have vowed to retry them.
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