Young secures $7 million for FDR Park, Navy Yard projects

Philadelphia County Delegation    April 25, 2022 | 10:04 AM

HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced that her district will receive $7 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants.

“I’m ready to put your tax dollars back to work on redevelopment projects that matter deeply to you,” Young said. “I’m most excited about the improvements coming to FDR Park, and with this funding, we are sure to get a state-of-the-art welcome center and over 30 acres of majestic wetlands. In addition, Navy Yard and Philly Shipyard workers should see safety and training facility upgrades to help them feel protected on the job. These improvements will drastically improve many of our daily lives.”

The program grants will be distributed to:

  • Fairmount Park Conservancy for Phase II of the Welcome Center at FDR Park. This $2 million project will convert a historic stable and guardhouse into a public-facing welcome center. The 5,500-square-foot guardhouse will be renovated into shared co-working space for community organizations that deliver park programming; the 3,600-square-foot courtyard into a one-stop shop for park users with restrooms, a staffed information center, and equipment rentals; and the 4,000- square-foot stables restored into a cafe and 6,700-square-foot event space overlooking Pattison Lagoon. These include utilities, such as new water, wastewater, electric, and data lines.
  • The City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, Aviation Division for the Wetlands Mitigation Project at FDR Park. This $1 million project entails the creation of 30 plus acres of wetlands at FDR Park in Philadelphia to mitigate impacts that will occur in the development of Cargo facilities and airfield improvements at Philadelphia International Airport. This project includes excavation of soil and debris, grading, drainage system improvements (including new tide gates), removal of invasive species, and planting and establishment of wetland vegetation.
  • Philly Shipyard Inc. to be used on their Philadelphia Shipyard Expansion and Safety project. The $1 million project will install locker rooms for new workers, and create office space for new employees, customer representatives, and inspectors. It will refurbish two dock gates, enhance safety and upgrade fire protection, electrical and other services in both dry docks. Additional elements include: site improvements; installation of utilities and installation of concrete and asphalt pads; warehouse and cabin factory structures; materials receiving area and office units; safety and security upgrades; piping and utilities to support shipbuilding and ship repair operations around the dry docks.
  • Industrial Metals Manufacturing LLC for their Rhoads Industries Building 57 Defense Manufacturing Facility Completion project. This $3 million project will fully complete the state-of-the-art renovation to Building 57, a 310,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and related training facility space at the Navy Yard delivering a high-demand manufacturing center for government and commercial clients. The project includes security and property improvements, implementation of an alternative energy program, manufacturing management offices, manufacturing finishes, building vertical access in A Bay, completing the mezzanine floor stud and slab, outfitting a sensitive compartmented information facility for government contracting clients, and additional office spaces. The complete renovation of this manufacturing facility supports a strategic effort to significantly expand the U.S. Navy presence to deliver ship construction, ship maintenance, repair upgrades and large-scale facilities.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, from which this funding was awarded, is a commonwealth grant program overseen by the Office of the Budget to assist with regional cultural, economic, civic and historical projects that improve a community’s economic growth by creating jobs.

More information is available by contacting Young’s district office at 215-952-3376 or visit the RACP website.

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