Real Estate Development Real Estate Development Strategy 

Real Estate
Development
Strategy

Kensington needs a comprehensive approach to real estate development, co-created with the community 

Where we are 

Kensington is suffering from poverty, systemic racism, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, gentrification, housing exploitation, and a lack of support for mental health issues. For years, efforts to address Kensington’s challenges have failed for reasons including:  

  • Efforts have been designed and implemented without community input  
  • Efforts have lacked sufficient expertise and resources to be effective  
  • Efforts have failed to understand the multi-dimensionality of the challenges, and failed to provide a comprehensive, “wrap-around” approach  
  • The number of properties that are vacant, underused, or blighted on Kensington Avenue—including many owned by speculative developers—make it an accommodating place for the drug trade and the violence that increasingly accompanies it.   
Real estate development: 2964 Kensington
2964 Kensington Ave

What we need 

What is needed is a comprehensive approach to real estate development, co-created with the community, that addresses the full complement of challenges. NKCDC and its partners and community stakeholders understand the complexity of Kensington’s situation, and have the experience, ability, and team to coordinate and provide comprehensive solutions.   

We identify Health, Wellness and Healing as the guiding theme and “north star” of this work.  

STRATEGY 

An anchors model for real estate development  

In order to stabilize Kensington, NKCDC and its community partners need to control anchor spaces on Kensington Avenue, transform blighted and vacant properties, and use them to provide goods and services that are needed by both residents and those suffering from addiction and homelessness. 

NKCDC recently purchased several properties on Kensington Avenue between Lehigh and Allegheny Avenues:

  • 2713-2719 Kensington Ave. (vacant lots)
  • 2964 Kensington Ave. (vacant lot)  
  • 2968 Kensington Ave. (vacant lot)  
  • 3000 Kensington Ave. (3,573 sq. ft. former diner and apartments)  

While it will take time for us to raise capital and begin renovation work, NKCDC is committed to turn these empty parcels into community assets. Partners and community members are already pitching in. Thanks to a grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures, the vacant lots above will be part of a community garden initiative to improve health outcomes for children and families and increase sustainable land sovereignty and food production in the area.

EXISTING ASSETS 

The new anchors will supplement public and community assets between Lehigh and Kensington Avenues:   

  • SEPTA’s Somerset and Allegheny El stops bookend the corridor  
  • Orinoka Civic House, a block from the Somerset El stop, contains 51 affordable rental units and NKCDC’s offices, as well as a new Kensington Empowerment Hub which will be providing services to neighborhood residents by mid-2022 .  
  • McPherson Square is a historic park and library that has been identified for investment through the city’s Rebuild program. The square should be an important site for youth programs, assistance for job seekers, computer access, and outdoor recreation.   
  • Willard Elementary and Conwell Middle School are immediately adjacent to McPherson Square.  
  • Esperanza Health Center is a federally qualified health center near the Allegheny El stop.  
  • Impact Services’ headquarters is on Allegheny Avenue less than two blocks away.   
Real estate development: 3000 Kensington
3000 Kensington Ave is a 3,573 sq. ft. former diner and apartment building on the corner of McPherson Square Park.
NEXT STEPS

Engaging community and building capacity 

In May 2022, NKCDC purchased 3000 Kensington Avenue. We are beginning the process of creating a place where the Kensington community can come together to remember what the neighborhood used to be like, discuss how it came to be the way it is now, and envision what it should be in the future. 

NKCDC’s role is to provide the real estate and a renovation budget, and to listen to residents about what services and programs they hope to have on the avenue—what is important to the community for the development process and building design, and what new public spaces should be like. 

During the engagement process, 3000 Kensington Avenue will serve as a home for exhibits (like resident photos and artifacts or information about the impacts of redlining), visioning and feedback sessions, charrettes, performance measurement, course corrections, and milestone celebrations. It will also be a much-needed meeting space for civic organizations and neighborhood programs. 

As part of this process, NKCDC has launched kensingtonplan.org, a collaborative site to spur comprehensive, community-driven development across Kensington. 

Join a movement for community-led development in Kensington

We envision a new way of working in Kensington—one that makes room for everyone, but keeps the Kensington community in the center.

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