Holy Family’s proposal for Liddonfield site has broad community support

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has 20 proposals for the former Liddonfield public housing site in Upper Holmesburg. Although the site’s future remains uncertain, as previously reported here, many community members know which option they’d prefer: redevelopment by Holy Family University.

Holy Family hopes to develop the 32-acre site with playing fields, retail and restaurants along Torresdale Avenue, three buildings (housing or educational space), and assisted-living housing units.

Today, NEast Philly reports that 4,000 neighbors signed a petition supporting a redevelopment proposal put forward by Holy Family University. And at Thursday night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting, the audience gave the proposal a warm welcome as it heard from Holy Family’s Sister Francesca Onley, their developer John Parsons, and District Councilman Bobby Henon. Civic associations from Holmesburg, Holme Circle, East Torresdale, Tacony and Morrell Park civic associations also support the Holy Family proposal.

PHA should complete its selection process by summertime.

Here’s John Parsons discussing the conceptual plans his firm, BSI Construction, has for Holy Family’s use of the Liddonfield site. [Courtesy of NEast Philly]

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