PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Housing Authority has received a third grant from HUD’s competitive Choice Neighborhoods program.
Philadelphia is the only city in the country to receive a third Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant. The first helped renovate Norris Homes, near Temple University; the second revamped Sharswood. This $50 million grant will be used to remake one of PHA’s oldest but potentially most desirable properties — Bartram Village in Southwest Philadelphia.
“It is a prized possession of PHA,” said Kelvin Jeremiah, president of PHA.
Jeremiah says the setting for Bartram Village, on the Schuylkill River waterfront, bordering Bartram’s Garden, is spectacular. However, the buildings themselves — WWII-era, brick, low-rises — are in desperate condition.
“The residents asked for the site to be redeveloped into modern units,” he said.
The units are just part of it. Choice Neighborhoods rewards a comprehensive approach, with a lot of community involvement.
PHA worked with residents for two years on the redevelopment plan, called “Blossom at Bartram.” The full plan is available online.
“We’re going to reintegrate some of the streets, so it’s not an urban enclave disconnected from the broader community,” said Jeremiah. “And we’re going to provide a whole host of social services, workforce development, opportunities to put our residents on a path to prosperity.”
Altogether, the 500 affordable units of the barracks-like brick complex will be replaced — one-for-one. And 30 units for ownership and some market rate rentals will be added to the mix, as well.
“What we’re doing there is balanced development, where you have your choice of housing that meets the needs of the residents that exist there and new residents that might have a desire to move to that location,” Jeremiah said.
Jeremiah says the groundbreaking will come in April, with some new units available by the end of 2025 and more in phases over the next decade.
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