On June 8th, North10 Philadelphia celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony of Be a Gem Crossing, a 68,000 square foot mixed-use, adaptive reuse development on the former site of the Liberty Motel —once a catalyst for crime throughout the Hunting Park-East Tioga community. The organization was joined by project partners, stakeholders, neighbors, and more than 150 attendees as they gathered to support the commencement of the planned development, which is set to transform the Germantown Commercial Corridor and liberate the surrounding neighborhoods.
“Creating a safe and dignified space for families within the community to call home is our priority,” said H. Chase Lenfest, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Founder & Chairman of the Board, North10 Philadelphia. “Our mission is to create an environment where they can grow and create a future of which they can be proud. Be a Gem Crossing will make that possible – not just through the construction of a new building, but by finally demolishing the Liberty Motel that has plagued this community with crime for decades.”
The building will introduce 41 units of affordable housing with approximately 12,500 square feet of commercial space. The development is designed to serve low-income families with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, along with a community room and laundry facilities on each floor. The residences will also be extremely energy efficient. A large outdoor courtyard will allow residents to enjoy being outside in a safe and welcoming environment.
“We have such a passion for applying our architectural expertise to enhance the lives of Philadelphians who need it most. Through affordable housing, commercial space and pediatric care, this dynamic development will provide access to a stable, quality living environment that residents deserve.” said Nancy Bastian, Partner, Cecil Baker + Partners Architects, designers of the project.
“We are proud to support all 41 units in this new building on an ongoing basis to ensure that residents pay only 30-percent of their income in rent,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “Additionally, we provided $500,000 toward construction to help North 10 turn something bad into something extremely positive for this community. This building represents the kind of partnership that is helping meet the overwhelming need in our city to provide homes for the most vulnerable among us.»
Through several partnerships, North10 Philadelphia works to improve the life outcomes for the community members. “Closing the Liberty Motel, and making sure it stayed closed, was vital to ensuring this community can finally be liberated from its shadows and thrive. That couldn’t have happened, and we would not be here today without the collaborative support from the state, local and community levels. Be a Gem Crossing, and the impact it stands to have on these communities truly represents that together, we are more.” said Dr. Joshua Klaris, Executive Director, North10.
A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) was signed by North10 with the Broad, Germantown Erie Collaborative (BGEC) to ensure that neighborhood residents and near-neighborhood residents benefit from the construction and permanent jobs generated by the project.
In addition to Be a Gem Crossing, North10 also introduced Carman Gardens, currently a 10,000 square foot re-development project designed to transform the former roller-skating rink into a pediatric health center run by the Black Doctor’s COVID-19 Consortium.
“Be a Gem Crossing is an example of how real change is created – through public-private collaboration, working hand-in-hand with those who were born and raised here. It’s powerful, and I’m proud to be a part of it. From the demolition of Liberty Hotel to the introduction of new affordable housing and commercial space, it will be a much needed and welcomed addition to the neighborhood –and a critical component to the master planned initiative to re-invigorate the Germantown Avenue Commercial Corridor.” said Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke
Be a Gem Crossing also counted with the support of public and private partners including Attorney General, Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke; State Senator Shariff Street; The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA); Philadelphia Housing Authority, Aliya Catanch-Bradley, Principal, Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School; Cecil Baker + Partners Architects, StoneSherick Consulting Group and the neighbors of Hunting Park and East Tioga – notably block captains Mr. Clayton & Mrs. Arthleta Pickens.
Be a Gem Crossing is the latest in a series of innovative urban renewal projects by North10, including:
-A $3 million capital project transforming the Lenfest Center from a recreational facility into a state-of-the-art community center offering community-focused programs and resources for neighbors that includes.
-The 10th Street Community Market, an initiative to get healthy food into the hands of those who need it.
-A Beat the Heat Cooling Center.
-Free computer access so neighbors can sharpen their digital literacy and apply for jobs.
The Hunting Park community room, a safe gathering place for neighbors to come together.
Creating a safe and community-focused public park at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School in partnership with School District of Philadelphia and the Trust for Public Land.
To learn more about Be a Gem Crossing, North10 and the H. Chase Lenfest Foundation and its mission, visit: https://north10phl.org/.
