A mixed-use development set to transform a landmark of crime into one of progress, wellness, and community
PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 8, 2022 – Today, North10 Philadelphia, a community-backbone organization that has grown from the commitment and support of the H. Chase Lenfest Foundation 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 will 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 construction of a new building, but by finally demolishing the Liberty Motel that has plagued this community with crime for decades.”
The building, designed by Cecil Baker + Partners Architects, 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 are proud to be part of the team working alongside North10 to introduce Be a Gem Grossing & Carman Gardens,” said Nancy Bastian, Partner, Cecil Baker + Partners Architects. “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.”
“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 strong partnerships with a shared vision and mutual accountability, North10 Philadelphia works to improve the life outcomes for community members in Hunting Park and East Tioga by facilitating economic growth, increasing housing options, enhancing learning opportunities, and promoting wellness in order for current residents and future generations to live happy, healthy and civically engaged lives.
“North10’s role is to care for the children and families of the Hunting Park-East Tioga neighborhood to ensure they have the opportunities and outcomes they deserve,” said Dr. Joshua Klaris, Executive Director, North10. “In order to do that, 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.”
To serve workforce development needs of the neighborhood, North10 signed a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with the Broad, Germantown Erie Collaborative (BGEC). With the support from these partner community organizations, North10 is committed to ensuring 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.
“The great work that Chase Lenfest and North10 continue to do throughout the Hunting Park-East Tioga communities creates a sense of hope and opportunity. The spirit within the neighborhoods is so vibrant, and residents deserve to have a safe place they can call home,” said Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke. “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.”
In addition to the great work of North10, Chase Lenfest, and the BGEC, Be a Gem Crossing would not be possible without the support and commitment 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 high quality, community-focused programs and resources for neighbors that includes:
The 10th Street Community Market an initiative to get healthy food into the hands 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/.
