[Rendering of Community Health and Literacy Center from Broad and Morris Streets, via VSBA, LLC Architects and Planners]
It is no easy feat to boldly stake a claim for a project that aims to make a national model for a public-private partnership that unites services for healthcare, literacy and recreation for children and adults under one roof. But $42.5 million can embolden people to say crazy things. So the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the City decided to hold hands and jump off the cliff together.
The three-story, 96,000 s.f. building is slated to finish in December 2015. Separate buildings that once housed these public services on their own will be knocked down for the behemoth new plan. The South Philly care network and primary care will move in from St. Agnes. The first floor will be a library and recreation center. An outdoor playground is also in store.
Philly.com reports that Children's chief executive Steven Altschuler said offering a library and recreation programs with health care could help improve health in the community and address problems such as obesity and poverty.
[Rendering of Community Health and Literacy Center from Broad and Morris Streets, via VSBA, LLC Architects and Planners]
·Joint library, health and rec center coming to S. Phila. [Philly.com]
·CHOP, city break ground on $42.5 million South Philadelphia center [PBJ]