Philadelphia, PA − November 4, 2024 − Today State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) announced $45,550,000 in grants to organizations and institutions throughout Pennsylvania’s First Senatorial District. These grants are awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the state’s Office of the Budget.

“Philadelphia has long been a hub of creativity and innovation, driven by the brilliance of our people and the enduring strength of our communities,” said Senator Saval. “These grants show our Commonwealth’s investment in Philadelphia’s long-term health and vitality, and I am incredibly proud to have supported projects that help plant the seeds for our city’s continued prominence as place of connection, imagination, and resilience.”

Grants awarded today will support iconic cultural institutions, robust job training and creation, and vibrant community hubs. The full list of projects is as follows:

  • $2,000,000 to the William Way LGBT Community Center for ongoing renovations to this important community hub, including the installation of the steel superstructure, concrete-topped metal decking, metal wall panels, and fenestration and roofing systems, ultimately preparing for the fit out of William Way’s facilities for move in.
  • $500,000 to the Wilma Theater for renovations to the award-winning theater to enhance accessibility and environmental sustainability, including new doors, ceilings, and flooring; updated public restrooms; a new HVAC system; and an updated elevator.
  • $500,000 to the Christian Street YMCA to help revitalize this beloved high-traffic community hub with a heated indoor pool, a gymnasium, a wellness center, an outdoor playground, multipurpose rooms, and a large community lobby, offering increased capacity for sports, educational programming, and neighborhood engagement.
  • $1,500,000 to IATSE Local #8 to expand its renowned training center, adding capacity to train more workers entering fields supporting the entertainment industry, with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that encourage creativity, innovation, and safe working conditions.
  • $5,000,000 to Al Aqsa Islamic Society to expand the existing school facilities to include additional classrooms, a gymnasium, and shared community spaces.
  • $3,000,000 to the Franklin Institute to upgrade existing building systems with enhanced electrical, mechanical, fire protection, and digital infrastructure; support accessible wayfinding; and renovate exhibitions.
  • $1,500,000 to the Philadelphia Ballet to support base-building construction work for its new center, including sitework, foundation, structural framing, exterior walls and concrete work, windows and doors, roofing, and elevators, as well as mechanical mains, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems.
  • $2,500,000 to Reading Terminal Market for essential infrastructure improvements, including replacing concrete grease interceptors located under the sidewalks and installing new fiberglass-reinforced plastic grease interceptors to meet current demands, ensuring the Market’s preeminence as a home for vendors and a welcoming space for residents and tourists alike.
  • $3,000,000 to the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History for renovations, including updating and reinstalling its core exhibition, installing new HVAC systems and visitor facilities, and creating a new special exhibitions gallery to further the Weitzman’s mission of inspiring appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience.
  • $3,000,000 to IUOE Local #542 to create a new world-class training center to educate future generations of skilled, safe, efficient, and effective heavy equipment operators and stationary engineers whose labor creates our built environment.
  • $5,000,000 to Calder Gardens for the design and construction of a new building to highlight the works of Alexander Calder, including a sculpture gallery, classroom and events facilities, and outdoors display space for the enjoyment of the public. 
  • $250,000 to FDR Park for infrastructure to enhance safe and supported public use of one of Philly’s best loved parks.
  • $500,000 to the Historic Tun Tavern to reconstruct the building, honoring the architecture, materials, and layout as it existed in the 1770s, and offer a meeting place for the millions of people across the country who trace their organization’s lineage back to this single tavern.
  • $500,000 to the Louis Kahn Music Barge for structural modifications, including reinforcements to the hull and additional access ramps, as well as the installation of mooring in the Delaware River, transforming the barge into a permanent space offering public access to the arts.
  • $3,000,000 to the Navy Yard to relocate wetlands, including remediation, demolition, and sitework. This project will include excavation of soil and debris, grading, drainage system improvements, removal of invasive species, and planting and establishment of wetland vegetation at a new site in the PA coastal zone.
  • $6,000,000 to Philly Shipyard for the complete renovation of a vacant and unconditioned space, increasing the capacity of the leading U.S. shipbuilder and fostering the creation of new good-paying permanent jobs.
  • $1,550,000 to bioMérieux to redevelop existing manufacturing and research facilities, contributing new family-sustaining jobs at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.
  • $2,500,000 to the Philadelphia School to create a new learning space for STEAM, co-locating and integrating art, science, robotics, technology, Spanish, and music programs for students, as well as upgrades to administrative offices and outdated electrical systems, modifications for accessibility, and the reconfiguration of classrooms as dedicated spaces for early literacy.
  • $500,000 to Roman Catholic High School for the construction of a state-of-the-art STEM center and a new Fieldhouse, which will serve as a recreational hub for students, staff, and community members.
  • $3,250,000 to Rhoads Industries to renovate and improve fabrication facilities, creating additional family-sustaining manufacturing jobs at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.

Senator Saval successfully advocated for projects in collaboration with State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, State Representative Jordan Harris, State Representative Keith Harris, State Representative Mary Isaacson, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, State Representative Regina Young, and State Representative Ben Waxman.

To receive Senator Saval’s support, grant applicants must demonstrate the benefit their project provides to the City of Philadelphia and communities throughout the First District. Senator Saval’s office meets with individual grant applicants and reviews project plans and overall funding commitments as part of their extensive consideration of each application.

Senator Saval is committed to collaborating with local partners to foster enduring state investment in communities throughout the First Senatorial District. For information or help navigating state grant and award programs, please contact his office.

RACP awards are granted for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. For more information about RACP awards, including application information and a full list of current recipients, please visit the Office of the Budget’s website.

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