BIA Voice June 2009 | Page 15

New Residents and HUD Secretary Help PHA Mark Opening of New Green Seniors Apartment Building Continued from page 12 When PHA decided to build the new facility on the site of Nellie Reynolds’ garden, the agency named the building as a tribute to Reynolds’ 40 years of leadership in the movement for public housing residents’ rights and responsibilities. Like virtually all of PHA’s newly built developments, Nellie Reynolds Gardens represents a combination of federal funding and private investment. Wachovia Bank and MMA Financial provided the private investment. The residential portion of the building cost $15.7 million. The commercial portion - including the adult daily living center - cost $2.5 million, and the public infrastructure - including the green roof - cost $3 million. The rare appearance of a HUD secretary at a PHA ceremony was especially meaningful to the leaders of PHA, who had engaged in an almost two-year battle with the federal agency over a number of issues that threatened PHA’s funding. Said Greene, “Secretary Preston came into office this year promising to take a fresh look at the issues. He kept his word and showed strong, principled leadership in resolving our differences. We are grateful that he accepted our invitation to help dedicate this wonderful new place.” PHA, the nation’s 4th largest housing authority, serving almost 84,000 residents, is an innovator in the financing, construction, and management of affordable housing, News From the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Developer Services: The City of Philadelphia, through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, has been charged with implementing a new Developer Services Program for major projects - 25 units or 50,000 square feet of gross floor area. The program will assist the developer in: 1. Determining the necessary regulatory and legal approvals 2. Reviewing the requirements of affected utility providers 3. Determining necessary public action 4. Establishing a schedule for project implementation of approvals, utility and public actions 5. Monitoring the project’s progress The meeting consists of plan reviewers and others responsible for plan approval from: • • • • • • • Art Commission Water Department City Planning Commission Streets Departme