Image

1:34 AM / Monday February 17, 2025

14 Jun 2014

Mt. Airy USA pioneers use of new tool to eliminate vacancy and blight

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
June 14, 2014 Category: Color Of Money Posted by:

ABOVE PHOTO:  Mt. Airy USA Community Development Corporation announces the successfully completion of its first residential rehabilitation initiative under the PA Blighted & Abandoned Property Conservatorship Act. Pictured are Gage Duran, Real Estate Development Project Manager, Mt. Airy USA CDC; Kyasha Tyson, Special Projects & Public Relations Manager, Eric Linter, CEO, Dale Corporation; Anuj Gupta, Executive Director, Mt. Airy USA CDC; Howard Treatman, Board Chair, Mt. Airy USA CDC; Melissa Muroff, President, Roofmeadow; David Hyman, Managing Partner, Kleinbard Bell & Becker, LLP; Brad Copeland, Real Estate Development Director, Mt. Airy USA CDC. 

 

On Friday, June 6, the Mt. Airy USA Community Development Corporation (CDC) and State Rep. Cherelle L. Parker, D-Phila, hosted a press conference to announce the completed rehabilitation of the once vacant, tax delinquent, and rapidly deteriorating property at 59 E. Phil Ellena Street.

“Today is a historic day for our Mt. Airy and Germantown neighborhoods as we celebrate our collective mission to tackle dilapidated and neglected properties,” stated Anuj Gupta, Executive Director of Mt. Airy USA. “With the successful completion of this project, Mt. Airy USA continues to execute our mission to address the pertinent needs of our community with a wholistic strategy incorporating economic development, education and residential revitalization.”

In 2008, the General Assembly passed the Blighted and Abandoned Property Conservatorship Act – Act 135 of 2008 – which provides for court-appointed conservators to bring residential, commercial and industrial buildings into municipal code compliance when owners fail to do so.  Mt. Airy USA became the first non-profit organization in the City of Philadelphia to successfully complete the process of becoming conservator of 59 E. Phil Ellena Street in April 2013.  Approximately four years prior, the property was declared a public nuisance with multiple code violations and roughly $10,000 in water bill and property tax revenue delinquency.

“In addition to this Act, we utilized the Neighborhood Assistance Program administered by the Department of Community & Economic Development to establish partnerships with the law firm Kleinbard Bell & Becker LLP; Melissa Muroff, President of Roofmeadow; and Eric Linter, CEO of Dale Corporation. We are grateful for the public-private partnership we have established to move this initiative in the right direction, as well as the leadership of State Representative Cherelle L. Parker, Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and Councilwoman Cindy Bass, 8th Councilmatic District.”

“Mt. Airy USA’s use of the Conservatorship Act is legislation is action. This initiative is a perfect example of the importance of having a proactive and innovative community development corporation with an intrinsic concern for the overall health and progress of our community,” Rep. Parker said. “With the investment made to revitalize this property, along with the transformation of Pleasant Playground, we are continuing to witness the results of effective and efficient partnerships between private, public and nonprofit stakeholders working to rehabilitate blighted residential and commercial properties to restore the fabric of our neighborhoods. I look forward to extending our collaborative efforts to work alongside our constituents and business owners to encourage community engagement, attract economic development and improve public safety.”

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Color Of Money

Pennsylvania governor seeks more money for schools and transit, but relies heavily on surplus cash

February 10, 2025

Share Tweet Email Governor Josh Shapiro presents his 2025-26 budget proposal to the Pa. General Assembly, as...

Seniors

How Type 2 inflammation contributes to asthma, COPD, and allergic conditions

February 3, 2025

Share Tweet Email BPT Do you live with persistent, moderate-to-severe asthma, COPD, allergies, eczema or hives? Inflammation...

SUNrise

cj speaks…Celebrating in forgiveness for Black History Month

February 10, 2025

Share Tweet Email By cj “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and...

Week In Review

Black History Month explained: Its origins, celebrations and myths

February 10, 2025

Share Tweet Email This undated photo provided by the Association for the Study of African American Life...

Commentary

Guest Commentary: The ball’s in our court — who will lead?

February 16, 2025

Share Tweet Email Community advocates and Black Lives Matter advocates gather for a news conference outside Target...

Health

What you need to know about glaucoma

February 10, 2025

Share Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURES More than 4.2 million Americans live with glaucoma, a leading cause of...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff