Philadelphia, PA − Tuesday, October 22, 2024 − Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) announced $10,500,263 in grants to organizations and institutions throughout Pennsylvania’s First Senatorial District, awarded through the Commonwealth’s Statewide Local Share Account (LSA–Statewide) grant program.
“Each of these awards shows our Commonwealth’s recognition of the incredible work my constituents are doing throughout the district to cultivate vibrant community spaces that help make our city safer, more inclusive, more beautiful, more inspiring, and more connected,” said Senator Saval. “These investments are made through the combined efforts of many public servants, and to work with them in ensuring these important resources reach the residents of our districts has been an honor.”
Senator Saval advocated for the projects in collaboration with State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, State Representative Joe Hohenstein, State Representative Regina Young, and State Representative Ben Waxman.
Grants awarded today will support playgrounds, art institutions, and important infrastructure projects. The full list of projects is as follows:
- $400,000 to the Ministry of Awe to convert the former Manufacturers National Bank into a thriving cultural hub engaging residents and visitors and showcasing local artists.
- $600,000 to Murphy Recreation Center to increase accessibility throughout the beloved community space and replace the aging roof.
- $1,000,000 to the Avenue of the Arts to reconstruct the median between Spruce and Pine Streets and launch the efforts for a safe, welcoming, beautiful community corridor.
- $550,000 to the Academy of Music to make the oldest continually operating opera house in the United States more accessible with upgrades to its entryway, lighting, and facilities.
- $60,000 to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia to restore the aging façade and preserve the iconic building for long-term use with an eye toward increased accessibility and historic preservation.
- $200,000 to Cianfrani Park to stabilize the ground, plant new trees, and add new pavers, tables, chairs, and fencing to enhance this beloved community greenspace.
- $350,000 to the Community College of Philadelphia to enhance campus security measures intended to deter weapons on campus and ensure a safe learning environment.
- $500,000 to the Library Company of Philadelphia to replace the HVAC system and install exterior lighting to help make the building safe and comfortable, inside and out.
- $525,000 to the Marian Anderson Recreation Center to create a multi-use field for soccer, baseball, and general play and preserve and expand the community-based sport programs that are its hallmark.
- $170,000 to the Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District to redevelop the El Stop spanning the Front Street and Girard Avenue intersection with vendor stalls, aesthetic lighting, bicycle racks, and artistic design painting.
- $450,000 to the Albert M. Greenfield School to renovate the playground and open spaces, making them safer, more accessible, and more beautiful for the students and the surrounding community.
- $221,544 to the New Kensington Community Development Corporation to replace safety fencing and install an access gate and retaining wall around the Greensgrow property, preventing erosion and stabilizing this green space for continued community use.
- $550,000 to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to repair and rehabilitate the roof, replacing worn elements and restoring original structures.
- $466,268 to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association to install new playground equipment, safety surfacing, and play-safe curbing at Liberty Lands park.
- $800,000 to Performance Garage to make the facilities more accessible and to upgrade HVAC, electric, and plumbing systems, allowing for expanded artistic and community use.
- $400,000 to the Philadelphia Ballet to purchase and install equipment and complete renovations to outfit the black box performance space as part of a larger project to add 43,000 sq ft of rehearsal, performance, administrative, and community space to its existing building.
- $250,000 to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to replace the Navy Yard’s antiquated electric substation 646 with a modernized system that delivers reliable electric power to all who work at and benefit from the Navy Yard.
- $250,000 to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to ensure reliable operation of the Navy Yard Lift Bridge by supplementing critical above-water and below-water reconstruction and repair.
- $160,000 to the Schuylkill River Park to replace the turf surface of the dog park and reinvigorate the space as a community amenity.
- $300,000 to the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC) to renovate SEAMAAC’s newly purchased building for safety and accessibility, creating a central facility for client services, a meeting space for program activity, and offices.
- $500,000 to Sharing Excess to support its efforts to install an on-site bioreactor composter to process large amounts of organic refuse into compost, anticipated to convert 1,440 tons of organic waste into compost each year.
- $375,000 to Caring People Alliance to replace the roof and windows at the South Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club, ensuring a safe space for children, teens, and older adults.
- $69,644 to FDR Park to buy a new vehicle and equipment for park maintenance, helping to strengthen the infrastructure and capacity for community projects and land-care initiatives, including lake restoration and garden expansion.
- $133,088 to the Inglis Foundation to construct sidewalks and ADA-accesible ramps along Mario Lanza Boulevard, providing safer pedestrian access for residents and visitors.
- $44,719 to Theatre Exile to renovate its stage and purchase much-needed materials and supplies to furnish and equip the newly constructed theater as a flexible space for all.
- $225,000 to WHYY to purchase and install new production equipment for WHYY’s studio, including camera rigs, teleprompters, and camera supports.
- $400,000 to WHYY to install exterior lighting and ticker displays around its facilities and upgrade its façade.
- $550,000 to the William Way LGBT Community Center to lay the foundation to transform and rebuild the existing center into an expansive, fully accessible LGBTQIA+ community hub.
To receive Senator Saval’s support and advocacy, grant applicants needed to demonstrate that their projects benefited the City of Philadelphia and communities throughout the First District. Senator Saval’s office meets with individual grant applicants as part of their extensive consideration of each application, along with reviewing project plans and funding commitments.
Administered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, funds from the LSA–Statewide grant program support projects in the public interest across the Commonwealth. For more information, please visit https://dced.pa.gov/programs/local-share-account-lsa-statewide/.
Senator Saval is committed to collaborating with local partners to foster enduring state investment in communities throughout the First District. For information or help navigating state grant and award programs, please contact his office.
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Senator Nikil Saval is a father, husband, writer, and organizer representing Pennsylvania’s First Senatorial District. Serving as Democratic Chair of the Senate’s Urban Affairs & Housing Committee and Chair of the Senate’s Philadelphia Delegation, Saval’s legislative work is focused on critical response to Pennsylvania’s housing, mass incarceration, wage, and climate crises, while simultaneously pushing for deep structural change. He is fighting for a Philadelphia and Pennsylvania that work for everyone.
Learn more about Senator Saval on his website, and follow him on X, Instagram, and Facebook.