Once A Vacant School Building, Now Senior Housing In Point Breeze
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City officials held a ribbon cutting today in the Point Breeze section of the city to celebrate the completion of phase two of an affordable housing complex for senior citizens.
Conversion of the historic Anthony Wayne School building, at 28th and Morris Streets, began ten years ago, when $5.5 million in tax credits and city funding helped convert the school into 36 units of affordable housing.
Now, 12 million additional dollars means new construction in the place where a blighted, unused playground once stood.
"For right now, we can call this home," says 63-year-old Laura Davis, who spent her life in Point Breeze but, after her husband died, had no home.
Now, she's living in one of 46 units in Anthony Wayne Senior Home, Phase II, allowing her to be close to family members.
City councilman Kenyatta Johnson (center of photo below) says there is a need for senior housing, and with vacant schools buildings being converted, it's a win-win.
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"If I had my wish, every available school that the school district is selling I would convert it into an afforable senior home," Johnson said today.
The developer is currently seeking funding to turn the school's parking lot into additional senior units.
