Member Perspective: Beth Grossman, Esq.

Guest Commentator: Beth Grossman, Esq., Program Director, Scioli Turco, Inc.

What is the impact of rehabilitating vacant and blighted properties in Philadelphia?

Just like beauty begets beauty, blight begets blight. Thousands of vacant and blighted properties dot Philadelphia’s landscape, ranging from residential properties to enormous industrial behemoths. Regardless of size, vacant and blighted properties create public nuisances, decrease quality of life for neighbors, and diminish the value of nearby properties. The impact of rehabilitating these properties goes far beyond bringing a property up to the Philadelphia building code. Public safety, strategic property use planning, and historical preservation are just some of the positive impacts of vacant and blighted property rehabilitation within Philadelphia.

Public safety can be vastly improved by rehabilitation. Property rehabilitation results in decreasing criminal activity occurring in and around the property. When a block becomes safer, neighbors feel safer, property values increase, and, from a holistic standpoint, it increases the emotional health of its residents. Additionally, rehabilitation prevents possible collapses of imminently dangerous properties, which can lead to immense property damage and physical harm to neighbors.

Whether through redevelopment, conservatorship, or other mechanisms, collaborative engagement with community stakeholders can result in strategic property use of a rehabilitated property that best suits the need of the neighborhood. When stakeholders have input in the future use of a rehabilitated property, this creates community ownership and trust with those rehabilitating the property.

Finally, Philadelphia’s landscape is rich with historical properties that can and should be rehabilitated. Although rehabilitation of blighted and vacant historical properties can be a complex undertaking, the preservation of Philadelphia’s historical buildings is of paramount importance.  Currently, the historically designated Dox Thrash house located at 2340 Cecil B. Moore Avenue is being rehabilitated to have a ground floor commercial space and upper floor apartments. Not only will this preserve its Victorian exterior, but will ensure the historical legacy of Dox Thrash (1893-1965), an African American painter and draftsman who spent much of his life in Philadelphia. He co-invented the carborundum printing technique in which silicon carbide is used to make etchings on copper plates. As the Dox House rehabilitation demonstrates, rehabilitating historical buildings contributes to preserving Philadelphia’s history and will positively contribute to education, tourism, and community pride.

When performed correctly, rehabilitation of vacant and blighted properties in Philadelphia is a win-win situation for its residents, business owners, and the city itself.

Through Recharge & Recover PHL, the Chamber is working with our members to ensure Greater Philadelphia is the healthiest and most livable community in the Northeast.