Harry Tapia – Rivera Recreation Center – Special Inspections

Description

PROJECT DESCRIPTION Rebuild is a multi-year program of up to $500 million to revitalize neighborhood parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, and libraries across Philadelphia. Rebuild has three components: physical improvements to community facilities, community engagement and empowerment, and creating economic opportunity. While addressing the physical needs of parks, recreation centers and libraries was the first goal of Rebuild, it became clear that the process of making capital investments will present an unprecedented opportunity to support residents as change makers in their communities, to connect more Philadelphians with family-sustaining jobs, and to help minority and women-owned businesses grow. At a minimum, Rebuild will result in improvements to public facilities to make them safe, code compliant, and functional. However, the goal of Rebuild is to produce public spaces that transcend functional requirements. The design and use of these spaces should reflect the needs and priorities of the community and strengthen a Last Updated 11/13/18 8 community's attachment to the site. Finally, Rebuild should be a vehicle for the development of work opportunities for small businesses. The ultimate goal of Rebuild is for civic assets to help communities across Philadelphia become stronger, healthier, and more inclusive.  Rivera Recreation and Mann Older Adult Center project is a $10M, three-phase renovation project is made possible through collaboration between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Office of Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. Councilwoman Quiñones-Sánchez provided more than $2 million for the first phase of improvements which include new ADA-approved playgrounds for both younger and older age children, an updated outdoor basketball court, and a community garden designed to accommodate seniors who frequent the Mann Older Adult Center. Phase one renovations are scheduled to be completed in spring 2018. “Updating this recreation center will help us better serve some of the most vulnerable people in North Philadelphia – our beloved children and seniors,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “I am grateful for our partnership with Councilwoman Sanchez which will help us rebuild this public asset.”  Renovations will also be done throughout both the interior and exterior of the building. The Mann Older Adult Center will be relocated into the ground floor of the current recreation center, moving Rivera programming to the northern side of the building. The north side of the facility will have active recreation amenities including playgrounds, basketball and handball courts, and a new splash-pad style sprayground.  The current playground and kids spray-shower space on the south side of the building will be converted into recreational space with a community garden, outdoor fitness equipment, as well as a casita and patio.  Additional renovations in subsequent phases of the project will include internal and external building modifications, a new HVAC system, turf soccer and football fields, site furniture, an ADA ramp and stair improvements along 5th Street.

For Questions or Additional Information, Contact:

Entity Seeking Services: HACE Email: htapia@hacecdc.org Phone: 215-426-8025 Project Lead: Harry Tapia Email: htapia@hacecdc.org Phone: 2154268025