Preservation projects in 195th District awarded more than $500,000 in state grants
Rep. Donna Bullock May 26, 2021
HARRISBURG, May 26 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., announced more than $500,000 in Commonwealth Financing Authority grants awarded to projects in the 195th Legislative District.
“These projects are important to the district,” Bullock said. “The pandemic was catastrophic, but we cannot let it derail these important works being done to preserve history, architecture and culture in our communities. I’m thankful this administration has maintained a sense of importance with programs like CFA, even during the challenges of our economic recovery from the pandemic.”
The projects include:
- $300,000 for Coltrane House Project.
The Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation will use the Blight Remediation Program funds to restore the currently blighted Coltrane House and its neighboring blighted properties which will expand the footprint of the Coltrane House to lead to the creation of the John Coltrane Museum and Cultural Arts Center.
- $100,000 for Dox Tharsh House.
Beech Interplex Inc. will use the Blight Remediation Program funds to rehabilitate a blighted structure that is currently a 3-story brick façade wall and a partial side-bearing wall with internal wood bracing to support the structure that is known as the Dox Trash House. Exterior improvements will be completed to ensure historical accuracy, to establish the property as a cultural, community education, and economic development activities center.
- $76,590 for Blight Elimination 1518-1522 Brandywine St. Historic Structures.
Spring Garden Community Development Corp. will use the Blight Remediation Program funds for a remediation project located at 1518 and 1520-22 Brandywine St., completing the remediation of blight while preserving the historic facade.
- $25,000 for 39th and Girard Avenue Planning Project
Centennial Parkside CDC will use the Blight Remediation Program funds to evaluate a section of East Parkside that extends from 3900 West Girard Ave. to 3931 West Girard Ave. The area has already been identified by Centennial Parkside CDC as a strategic area for redevelopment due to the visibly vacant and blighted properties. The project is also aligned with the Philly 2035 plan for West Park, the Centennial Parkside CDC strategic plan, and the needs identified by East Parkside residents. The proposed planning project will develop a comprehensive blight plan where one currently does not exist.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth.