►
From YouTube: Groundbreaking of Philadelphia Housing Authority Headquarters in North Philadelphia 6-21-2017
Description
Mayor Jim Kenney, Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th District), Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell (3rd District), Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) President Kelvin Jeremiah provided remarks as the PHA broke ground on their new modern, energy efficient headquarters.
The $45 million complex will consolidate a number of PHA functions at one site and is a major part of the revitalization of North Philadelphia's Sharswood neighborhood.
A
An
important
project,
this
project
is
an
anchor
project
to
building
a
community.
This
project
is
a
project
that
will
have
this
whole
neighbor,
so
I
have
a
dream
for
this
project
of
times.
We
talk
about
dreams
and
visions
of
things
that
you
haven't
ever
seen
before.
But
for
me,
my
dream
for
this
community
is
to
be
like
it
was
when
I
was
a
young
girl.
When
it
only
took
me
a
few
blocks
to
walk
through
the
commercial
corridor
me
and
my
grandmother,
we
walk
there.
A
A
What's
important
about
this
project
is
that
the
philosophy
of
Housing
Authority
administration
is
moving
from
downtown
into
the
community
and
the
important
thing
about
being
in
the
community
that
you
see
what
the
needs
are
every
day,
and
so
it
is
important
that
we
are
the
anchor
for
this
project
and
I
have
to
commend.
Kelvin
and
I
have
to
commend
the
leadership
staff
and
the
folks
in
the
community
have
worked
together
to
plan
this,
because
we
have
to
do
it
together
as
a
community
and
that's
the
only
way
that
we
rebuild
our
community
so
I.
A
Thank
you
all
for
being
here.
I'm
excited
about
that.
I
know
that
councilman
Clark
is
like
his
feet
are
just
tingling
in
his
shoes
because
we
are
continued
to
build
and
to
build,
and
Bill
and
I
have
to
say
thank
you
to
our
mayor,
because
our
mayor
has
been
focused
on
community
since
day
one,
and
so
we
appreciate
him.
We
appreciate
his
involvement
of
folks
and
we
appreciate
all
of
you.
A
So,
let's
rebuild
this
community
happy
being
here
today
and
let
me
just
take
one
other
moment
to
introduce
the
other
commissioners
that
are
here
with
us
today.
Commissioner
Cooney
and
everybody
who
knows
ADA
knows
that
she
has
been
a
warrior
for
housing
for
years
and
years
years
and
her
Wessel
and
for
a
lot
of
folks
in
the
back
office,
know
her,
because
her
has
also
been
about
housing
development
for
years.
A
B
Thank
You
boss,
so
I'm
some
reason
I
have
my
stomach
is
turning
and
I'm
incredibly
nervous,
perhaps
because
this
is
the
single
most
important
project
that
we
have
undertaken
to
date,
PHAs
headquarters,
that
has
been
in
the
works
for
about
two
and
a
half
years.
So
before
we
decided
to
build
here,
we
considered
other
locations.
We
considered
other
sites.
I
got
quite
a
few
interesting,
interesting
properties
that
I
seriously
considered
and
that
the
board
seriously
considered.
B
But
ultimately
we
felt
that
it
was
important
at
PHA,
be
the
anchor
on
Ridge
Avenue
and
a
revitalized
which
Avenue
corridor.
We
did
not
just
want
to
do
the
transformation,
but
we
wanted
to
be
a
part
of
the
transformation
that
the
community
wanted
to
see.
Let
me
tell
you
the
last
three
years
working
in
this
neighborhood
has
been
difficult
on
the
number
of
fronts.
Some
said
that
this
day
will
never
never
happen.
Others
were
critical
of
the
design.
B
Pha
is
investing
forty
five
million
dollars
right
here
on
Ridge
Avenue,
the
single
largest
investment
public
investments
since
the
1960's
rires,
but
we
are
only
just
getting
started
by
the
end
of
this
year.
Pha
and
its
partners
would
have
invested,
listen
to
this
130
million
dollars
right
here
in
Shores
words.
B
Pa-Choo
and
it's
nearly
1,200
employees
are
going
to
be
part
of
the
catalyst
that
change
this
community
and
no,
we
are
not
going
to
apologize
for
being
part
of
the
change
that
we
seek,
that
the
community
seek.
Pha
is
an
economic
engine
and
we
believe
that
the
stores
and
other
businesses
that
will
soon
follow
will
not
only
provide
services
for
our
employees,
but
for
the
community
that
needs
it
as
well.
B
B
B
B
Pha
will
soon
be
open
for
business
right
here
on
which
the
ground
floor
of
the
building
will
be
we'll
have
a
cafe
and
retail
space
daily.
Hundreds
of
Philadelphians
from
across
the
city,
including
contractors,
vendors
and
residents,
will
now
come
to
Shaw's
with
Bloomberg
to
do
business.
The
transformation
is
here,
and
all
of
you
are
witnessing
history,
just
a
block
or
two
away
box.
A
big
picture.
High
school
will
reopen
this
fall
and
a
new
supermarket
will
be
here
next
to
the
PHS
headquarters.
B
The
vision
that
not
too
many
could
see
is
coming
to
fruition.
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
has
been
part
of
this
long
process.
Only
through
undoes
me
I
got
a
few
people.
That
I
would
specifically
like
to
thank,
first
and
foremost
the
PHA
finance
team,
led
by
Celeste
field.
Please
give
her
a
round
of
applause.
B
B
Our
construction
team
led
by
Greg
Hampson
and
our
construction
manager,
shoemaker
and,
of
course,
our
city
partners,
led
by
my
good
friend
and
foe
Dylan,
thank
you
for
being
here
and
last,
but
certainly
not
least,
our
community
partners.
The
brewery
tongue
shows
with
civic
association.
Thank
you
for
your
partnership.
B
B
He
was
here
when
we
did
our
grand
opening
of
the
first
phase
of
housing
and
has
joined
us
again
today,
for
this
important
groundbreaking,
I
expected
expect
that
he
would
attend
many
many
more
because
there
are
some
1,200
units
of
housing,
both
mixed
rental
and
homeownership,
affordable
and
market,
and
so
there's
a
lot
more
to
come.
Please
welcome
our
mayor,
Jim
killing.
C
Thanks
Thank
You
Kelvin
for
that
introduction
and
good
morning.
Everyone.
It
is
great
to
be
here
breaking
ground
for
the
state-of-the-art
building
that
will
help
become
the
home
of
the
Philip
II
Housing
Authority
I
really
want
to
thank
council
president
Clark
and
PHA
Board,
Chair
Lynette
sprout
so
for
having
me
here
today.
This
building
is
perfectly
in
line
with
several
goals
that
the
city
has.
It
will
create
a
more
effective
and
efficient
government
by
consolidating
more
PHA
functions
into
one
building.
C
Access
to
the
services
they
provide
will
be
streamlined
will
also
allow
for
more
efficient
communication
between
PHA
departments.
The
building
will
be
energy
efficient,
showing
the
city's
commitment
to
shifting
shifting
towards
clean
renewable
energy
sources,
reducing
our
carbon
footprint
and
honoring
the
commitments
of
the
Paris
Accord,
regardless
of
who
says
different.
C
It
will
also
be
a
huge
boost
to
the
revitalization
efforts
to
the
Ridge
Avenue
commercial
corridor
here
in
North
Philadelphia.
The
workers
who
build
this
structure
will
frequent
these
places
of
business.
The
employees
that
fill
the
halls
after
completion
will
continue
visiting
those
businesses.
This
building
will
also
continue
beautification
and
restoration
efforts
and
make
the
car
door
even
more.
Inviting
projects
like
these
are
critical
to
our
efforts
to
expand
economic
opportunity
and
equality
to
every
neighborhood
in
our
city.
C
It
will
also
help
build
a
sense
of
community
by
acting
as
a
central
location
for
residents
of
this
neighborhood
to
spend
their
free
time
relaxing
in
a
restaurant
or
shopping
when
I
joined,
Kelvin
and
council
president
Clark
here
a
few
months
ago
to
open
the
first
phase
of
the
new
homes,
I
said,
I
look
forward
to
coming
back
again
and
again
as
this
charge,
which
charged
with
transformation
plan
unfolds
today
is
another
major
step
forward.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
I,
look
forward
to
working
continue
to
work
together
to
make
Philadelphia
a
better
place.
C
Let
me
say,
as
you
know,
and
I
not
to
tell
people
who
live
here.
There's
lots
of
changes
happening
in
this
neighborhood
and
for
the
most
part,
it's
a
good
thing,
but
sometimes
it
overwhelming
and
I
think
the
fact
that
this
building
will
be
here
that
that
supermarket
will
be
here
that
it's
important,
that
the
people
who
have
lived
in
this
neighborhood
for
generations
do
not
lose
out
and
lose
lose
out
or
pushed
out
relative
to
the
improvements
that
are
happening
here.
C
It
is
extremely
important
because
of
the
people
who
would
lived
in
this
neighborhood
for
generations
are
no
longer
here.
The
attractive
attractiveness
of
this
neighborhood
is
lower
longer.
Here
we
can
all
coexist,
but
we
need
to
coexist
equally
and
I.
Think
the
disinvestment
this
forty
million
dollar
investment
in
this
spot
right
now
will
set
down
the
standard
that
this
neighborhood
will
may
change.
C
But
it's
not
going
to
change
everything
and
think,
and
the
folks
are
going
to
who
live
here
and
have
produced
for
this
neighborhood
and
contributed
aber
for
generations
will
continue
to
be
able
to
do
so.
We
can
all
live
in
peace
and
harmony,
but
we
got
to
be
fair
to
everybody.
So
thank
you
very
much.
B
D
D
Actually
I
was
riding
down
the
street.
Hell
I
stopped
by
the
store
up
there
and
they
heard
about
this.
The
guys
at
hoagie
shop
and
he
said,
go
make
some
special
$2
hoagies
for
PHA
employee
right,
I'm
standing
yo
man.
They
got
pretty
good
jobs.
You
made
me
run
up
that
to
$3,
okay,
but
seriously
folks.
This
is
a
real
shot
in
the
arm
for
this
neighborhood
and
the
mayor
just
touched
base
on
it.
You
know
when
we
started
this
process
and
there
was
a
lot
of
turmoil.
I'ma
call
it
like
it
is.
D
It
was
some
concerns.
It
was
a
relocation.
There
was
some
condemnation
and
there
were
a
lot
of
people
both
in
the
streets
and
on
the
radio.
Saying
people
want
to
be
moved
out
of
this
community
and
you
are
no
longer
having
opportunity
to
live
in
North,
Philadelphia
right
and
what
we
did.
We
asked
people
to
trust
us
all
right,
I
know
sometimes
coming
from
a
politician.
D
That's
a
little
challenging
I
understand
I'm
saying,
but
we
asked
us
to
trust,
and
the
simple
reality
is
that
this
mayor,
this
executive
director
this
board,
all
the
workers
from
the
Housing
Authority
and,
more
importantly,
the
leadership
of
this
particular
community.
Both
political
and
civic,
have
made
a
commitment
and
what
you're
going
to
see
you're
going
to
see
a
community
that
is
diverse,
a
community
that
touches
base
that
enhances
what's
already
here,
because
we
got
a
pretty
good
community
right
here.
I
mean
the
simple
reality
is
right.
D
Across
the
street
we
got
300
homeownership
units,
I,
remember
when
we
first
started
that
River
I'm
looking
at
you
over
there
they'd.
Let
me
up
when
we
had
to
do
the
condemnation,
but
it
came
down
to
City
Council
Darrell
you
you
do,
but
it
ended
up
being
okay,
so
just
like
it
ended
up
being
okay
with
the
seats
will
be
more
homeownership
zone,
it's
going
to
be
okay
with
the
brewery
towns
charged
with
development,
so
all
of
the
people
involved.
D
This
is
going
to
be
special,
and
this
is
going
to
be
good
for
our
community
and
we're
going
to
ask
you
to
be
engaged
in
every
step
of
the
way,
because
we
have
numerous
phases
coming
up
as
we
relate
to
the
development
and,
most
importantly,
wants
you
to
stay
and
stay
committed
right.
If
you
see
something,
that's
not
come
that
you're,
not
comfortable
with
you
got
to
speak
up
right,
got
to
speak
up,
but
I
just
feel
real
good
about
this
from
day.
One
I
feel
real
good
about
this
investment.
D
It
is
like
the
mayor
said
it
is
sending
a
serious
signal
right
to
build
a
45
million
dollar
building,
21st
and
reads
all
right
now,
I'm
talking
about,
and
it
that's
like
some
serious
stuff.
So
to
all
of
you
that
identify
this
one.
Thank
you
all.
So
much
look
forward
to
continuing
to
serve
in
whatever
capacity
as
a
release
to
my
tenure
here,
working
as
your
council
person
and
and
my
mother,
god
bless
all
of
you
for
everything
that
you've
done
in
Thank,
You,
mayor
and
Thank,
You
Kelvin
and
thank
you
board.
Thank
you.
B
B
B
E
Good
morning
this
is
a
great
day
in
for
North
Philadelphia.
My
name
is
Susan
as
I'm
Jeremiah
stated
I'm
with
state
representative,
the
W
Curtis
Thomas
181.
Let's
say
his
district
and
I'm
standing
here,
because
favorite
presenting
Thomas
couldn't
be
here
because
he's
in
Harrisburg
working
on
a
voting
committee
on
budget
but
I'm.
He
wants
to
give
thanks
to
the
stakeholders
for
a
new
beginning
in
North
Philadelphia,
a
new
lighting
and
North
Philadelphia,
and
he's
open
for
any
and
everything.
Thank
you
and
have
a
good
day.
F
F
I
know
this
is
a
special
day,
as
always
I
thank
God
for
the
privilege
of
being
here,
and
let
me
say
our
president
has
really
done
it
this
time
to
get
into
business
community,
to
get
a
super
market
of
school
to
get
housing
rental
in
and
housing
ownership
I
mean
he's
created
a
whole
nother
community.
It
doesn't
happen.
Believe
me,
this
doesn't
happen.
It
is
remarkable.
F
B
The
competition
has
started
the
new
PHA
headquarters.
Building
could
not
have
happened
without
the
complete
support
of
the
US
Department
of
Housing
and
Urban
Development
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
take
the
opportunity
to
thank
all
of
the
HUD
staff,
both
those
in
our
regional
office
in
Philadelphia,
as
well
as
in
the
HUD
headquarters
in
Washington
DC.
B
G
Good
morning,
I
first
want
to
start
off
by
congratulating
Calvin
Jeremiah
once
again,
because
this
is
becoming
a
regular
occurrence,
but
it's
a
good
thing
for
all
the
great
work
that
you're
doing
I
want
to
congratulate
the
Philadelphia
Housing
Authority
staff
as
well.
This
project
promises
to
be
an
influx
of
economic
development
due
to
the
Housing
Authority's
investment.
There's
no
doubt
about
that.
As
part
of
the
charge
would
Bloomberg
transformation
plan,
PHA
plans
to
construct
and
relocated
headquarters
to
this
commercial
corridor
along
Ridge
Avenue.
G
This
development
effort
will
no
doubt
spur
other
affordable
housing
and
business
development
investments
in
addition
to
an
enhanced
business
corridor,
PHA
plans
to
deliver
1,200
mixed
income,
rental
home
ownership
units
as
part
of
its
transformation
plan
and
I
want
to
give
a
round
of
applause
for
PHA.
For
that.
G
This
is
an
amazing
opportunity
and
I
am
thrilled.
That
HUD
has
had
a
hand
in
making
this
all
possible.
Pha
received
a
$500,000
choice,
neighborhood
initiative
planning
grant
from
the
US
Department
of
Housing
and
Urban
Development
I
want
to
also
take
this
opportunity
to
acknowledge
the
HUD
team
that
worked
on
this
project.
Brian
floods
knuckle,
who
is
the
general
engineer
on
my
team,
Brian
Stann,
along
with
our
headquarter
staff,
paul
lehman
and
nancy
boone.
G
G
Of
course,
it's
a
public
housing
specialist
for
the
Philadelphia
Housing
Authority
and,
of
course,
I,
would
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
thank
the
consulting
party
members
that
played
a
role
in
providing
input
along
the
way.
The
consulting
party
members
included
a
group
of
state
and
local
organizations,
state
local
officials,
faith-based
organizations
as
well
as
community
residents,
some
of
whom
were
residents
of
the
Blomberg
development.
In
conclusion,
Calvin
I
just
want
you
to
know
that
my
office
stands
ready
to
continue
supporting
you
on
this
project
as
you
move
forward.
Thank
you.
B
Thank
You
Monica.
Now
we
will
hear
from
the
brewery
town
Charlesworth
of
the
community
Civic
Association.
They
have
truly
truly
been
partners
with
PHA,
notwithstanding
the
advocacy
we've
been
able
to
work
cooperatively
with
them
to
get
this
project
and
others
on
the
way
I
want
to
thank
them
for
being
the
voice
of
the
community
representing
the
community,
the
residents,
the
businesses
and
other
interests
here
in
Charles
wood
I
would
like
to
welcome
the
board
chair
and
thunder
with
the
warran
Mike
Michael
I.
H
Want
to
make
it
short,
my
chairman
of
these,
in
the
knack,
asked
me
to
thank
PHA
for
bringing
in
jobs
and
an
Economic
Opportunity
community,
but
I
just
want
to
say
one
of
the
things
that
we
are
looking
at
is
change.
There's
a
song.
This
is,
there
is
nothing
to
expect,
but
change
is
always
going
to
be
changed
and
we
look
at
this
and
we
have
small
changes
and
we
have
big
changes,
and
this
change
is
like
a
tidal
wave
that
is
coming
through
this
community.
H
As
the
councilman
spoke
about
progress
Plaza,
which
was
developed
by
the
Reverend
Leon
Sullivan
brought
great
change
to
this
neighborhood
back
in
1964.
There
was
a
terrible
riot
on
Columbia
Avenue
that
devastated
the
economic
community
in
this
area,
but
it's
been
a
long
time
and
a
long
struggle,
but
we
see
change
coming
and
we
are
grateful
to
the
president,
the
president
of
City
Council,
the
mayor,
and
also
mr.
Jeremiah,
and
the
members
of
our
community,
who
are
put
in
the
long
time
and
effort
to
make
this
a
reality
and
I
just
want
to.
B
Thank
you,
mr.
McMichael,
and
finally,
as
I
mentioned
earlier
due
to
budget
negotiations
in
Harrisburg,
several
of
our
supporters,
who
would
have
otherwise
been
here,
was
unable
to
make
it,
including
governor
Wolf's
state,
Rep,
Donna,
Bullock
and
Senators
Street
I'd
like
to
extend
deep
gratitude,
especially
to
all
of
them
and
all
of
our
delegation
for
their
hard
work
in
securing
the
two
million
dollars
interactive
funding
for
this
project.
Please,
let's
give
them
a
round
of
applause
and
ass.
I
Good
afternoon,
I
first
gave
praise
to
my
Lord
and
Savior
Jesus.
Christ
is
truly
first
in
my
life,
I
like
to
say
to
the
councilman
to
the
mayor
to
mr.
Jeremiah,
to
the
illustrious
Board
of
PHA
I
stand
here
to
represent
state
senator
Surry
Street,
unfortunately
couldn't
be
here
because
he
is
in
Harrisburg
doing
what
the
senator
does
continue
to
fight
for
his
constituents
before
I
speak
for
him.
I
I
just
want
to
take
the
opportunity
and
not
not
finding
that
robber
to
speak
about
my
former
boss
state
senator
Liam
kitchen,
who
for
20
years,
have
taken
up
the
gauntlet
to
fight
for
the
residents
of
the
third
senatorial
district.
She
has
been
instrumental
in
helping
PHA
do
all
that
they
have
done
with
the
mayor
with
the
councilman.
They
go
hand
in
hand
with
each
other.
They
sometimes
battle,
but
they
get
the
job
done.
But
now
I
want
to
go
on
and
talk
about.
I
My
boss,
who
had
the
legacy
of
what
Senator
kitchen
left,
was
to
continue
to
work
with
PHA,
continue
to
work
with
Mayor
Kenny
continue
with
work
with
counseling
Darrell
Clarke
continue
to
work
with
illustrious
board
a
PHA
because
they
have
to
continue
to
working
together
to
make
sure
that
the
residents
that
they
represent
is
represented
to
the
way
they
supposed
to
be
so
the
fight
is
real.
The
fight
is
strong
and
together
they
can
fight
to
make
it
be
sufficient
for
the
people
they
represent.
I
I
thankful
I'm
grateful
for
this
opportunity
to
speak
on
his
behalf
and
I
will
let
him
know
that
we
are
right
down
the
street
16:21
West
Jefferson
Street
right
up
the
street,
where
this
illustrious
building
will
be,
if
you
need
help,
find
it
not.
Robbery,
go
down
the
street
and
speak
to
them.
He'll
be
right
there
to
answer
whatever
needs
to
be
done.
Thank
you
very
much
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
in
their
hand.