The Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program recently awarded the Frankford Arsenal Revitalization Project a $2 million grant.
The Arsenal was originally built in 1816 in Philadelphia. Demolition began in July of the military buildings. They will be replaced with retailers and restaurants called The Shopping Center at the ARSENAL.
The 500,000-square-foot, $50 million shopping center is expected to create more than 1,000 retail jobs and at least 250 construction jobs.
Funds generated from the development will maintain the 194-year-old buildings in the southern section of the Arsenal—these buildings house several businesses and two charter schools.
The shopping center’s annual tenant fees will be used to fund neighborhood investments, including developing and maintaining a collection of public parks and pathways along the Delaware River.
“The goal of this Rehabilitation Project is to continue to rehabilitate buildings 110, 111, and 112 in the Arsenal into multi-tenant office, research and manufacturing buildings.” State Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) said. “The buildings will be for local businesses to operate in a safe, secure, and cost-effective environment.”
Work includes restoration and replacement of windows, roof repairs, plumbing upgrades, interior demolition, drywall installations, electrical installations, interior painting, drop ceiling installation, HVAC, elevator upgrades, and telephone system and other electronic upgrades.