Isaacson announces nearly $6M in state funding for area improvements

HARRISBURG, April 26 – State grant funding for $5.81 million will help build improvements throughout the river wards and historic Philadelphia, state Rep. Mary Isaacson, D-Philadelphia, said today.

The funding, through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, will support critical expansion projects, provide opportunities for job creation and employment training, and community development and revitalization.

“Congratulations to all of the projects awarded in the latest round of state funding,” Isaacson said. “The work these organizations put in to their projects reflects so highly on our community – it’s an honor and a privilege to announce their awards.

“On behalf of the recipients, I thank Governor Tom Wolf and the administration for seeing the value and wisdom in investing here in our neighborhoods.”

The six projects in her 175th Legislative District are:

  • $815,000 for restoring Pennsylvania's Birthplace: Carpenters' Hall Renovations and Phase 2 Upgrades, awarded to the Carpenters' Company of City and County of Philadelphia.
    • It includes a new perimeter drainage system, new HVAC systems, new utility connections, replacement pavers and roof tiles, new lightning protection, new gutters and flashing, and comprehensive masonry and millwork repairs. Together, these improvements will extend the life expectancy of Carpenters' Hall for another century of service.
       
  • $2 million for the National Liberty Museum’s Renovation and Improvement Phase II, awarded to the National Liberty Museum.
    • Along with continuing the renovation of the gallery space, there will be further renovations to make the museum accommodating to all visitors. The museum will be more ADA accessible and incorporate gender neutral bathrooms. Other project aspects include HVAC upgrades, fire suppression upgrades and mechanical and electrical upgrades.
       
  • $2 million for the Louis Kahn Barge and Infrastructure project, awarded to L-A Battery QOZ LLC.
    • The project will establish the Battery on the Delaware River waterfront. It will include a music barge, pedestrian pathways, emergency vehicle access points, and parking. The project will remove and prepare existing surfaces, provide asphalt and stone paving, create sidewalks, steps, curbs. A new storm sewer system will tie into existing services, bio-swales and landscaping will assist in other storm drainage needs. ADA improvements to the barge gangway and bathrooms will make it accessible. A mooring must also be installed before the barge can be used to offer public access to arts.
       
  • $1 million for Franklin Square Restrooms, awarded to Historic Philadelphia Inc.   
    • The Franklin Square Bathroom project will include the development of architectural and engineering plans as well as the construction of a new restroom facility at Franklin Square. The current restroom facilities at Franklin Square will be demolished and replaced with a newly constructed facility with updated bathrooms and storage. The new restroom and storage facility will have an increased number of toilets, updated fixtures, plumbing, lighting and HVAC systems.
       
  • $1 million for the Arch Street United Methodist Church Historic Building Restoration, awarded to United Methodist Church.
    • The project will renovate and improve the building, which will include masonry repairs and restoration to both the exterior and interior of the church's steeple; replacement of the church's slate roof; installation of new bathrooms; showers; laundry facilities; hydraulic lift; the installation of handicapped accessible ramp at the main entrance of the building; and replacement of the HVAC cooling tower.
       
  • $1 million for Addiction Treatment Expansion, awarded to Temple University Hospital.
    • The project will renovate vacant space on the TUHEC campus to expand services available for treating addiction in multiple levels of care.

Isaacson previously announced a RACP grant for Kensington Avenue improvements.