| Third District Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell has announced a plan that calls for the Sulzberger Middle School at 48th and Fairmount to be transformed into a public safety themed high school with emphasis on criminal justice education, an idea suggested by the school district and the U.S. attorney’s office. A community center will be a component of the new high school during school hours, and then switch over to community use after school and in the evenings. The building will consolidate PHA property management offices in the area, to ensure the long-term viability of the neighborhood.
The center at 47th and Aspen Streets will include 30,000 square feet of space, including a full size basketball court, computer labs, and activity rooms. Construction of both the Community Center and the Youth Study Center will begin in 2008. Funding for the $12 million effort will come from several sources. The Housing Authority and the School District will invest $4 million each. The State of PA will add $2 million and the City of Philadelphia $500,000 plus $1.5 million will come from 3rd District Capital Fund. |
