New Apartments Coming To Strawberry Mansion, Kicking Off PHA Building Boom

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority today broke ground for its first project in more than two years.

The $5-million project will provide 12 affordable apartments in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city.  And it's just the beginning, says PHA president Kelvin Jeremiah (center of photo), referring to a $30-million investment in the neighborhood.

"We'll have approximately one hundred quality, new, affordable housing units, which I believe will brighten this historic community and be a source of pride for its residents," he said during this morning's ceremonies.  "We are not merely building homes, we are creating neighborhoods of choice."

The project is not without controversy. Some neighbors feel they were not involved enough in the process, including some who had hoped to get contracts to work on the construction.

Jeremiah says PHA will take the lowest responsible bids for all work, and he hopes other opportunities will open.

"We hope that others will see what can be accomplished in this neighborhood and will join us to help us renew Strawberry Mansion," he said.

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