Upper Darby Awarded $2 Million RACP Grant to Fund Construction of the First Ever Community Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 28, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Upper Darby Awarded $2 Million RACP Grant to Fund Construction of the First Ever Community Center

UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is excited to announce that Upper Darby has been awarded $2 million in state funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). These grant funds will be used to assist the construction costs of the all new Upper Darby Community Center - the first of its kind in the township as well as the first LEED certified building in Upper Darby. 

“It’s always great to see more state funding coming into Upper Darby, and especially for such a groundbreaking project like our new Community Center. This will serve as the foundation of a revamped, dynamic Recreation Department with new programming and opportunities provided for residents of all ages, ” said Mayor Keffer. “I’m so thankful for the help from our State Senator Tim Kearney and State Representative Gina Curry, for their help in securing this grant.”

Thanks to this amazing funding secured, on top of the funds already received for the Community Center project in Upper Darby, demolition at 7000 Walnut Street has been completed and construction is slated to begin in 2023. Upper Darby has already received competitive RACP awards in addition to $1 million in Community Project Funding for a green roof secured with the help of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.  

“Community centers offer so many opportunities for neighbors to interact and learn,” said Senator Tim Kearney. “Upper Darby Township is a multicultural hub, and I believe this facility will create an atmosphere where neighbors can foster and cultivate relationships with one another. I am happy that I was able to advocate for funding to support this project. Initiatives like this will make the 26th District an even more dynamic space for residents and visitors."

“Community centers like the Upper Darby Community Center, provide a safe place for neighbors to gather,” said Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware. “They are proven to help reduce violence and increase community engagement. I am pleased to have partnered with Upper Darby Township and our community to help secure this vital funding and bring this exciting project to fruition. I look forward to continuing to find ways the commonwealth can invest in our community.”

Keeping the community we serve in mind, Mayor Keffer’s administration made certain the Upper Darby Community Center was designed with the feedback from residents in mind. JMT Architects, who had been awarded the contract through a competitive RFP process and participated in multiple public meetings as well as solicited feedback from the public through a survey conducted in 5 languages, gave a presentation that included design plans and rendering of the first of its kind facility located at 7000 Walnut Street. With careful and thorough planning, the Community Center has secured roughly $9 million in total funding. 

Through a combination of state grant programs and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the Community Center has received: $3 million was allocated from ARPA to be used for matching funds to secure grants, $2 million from this round of RACP grants, $1 million from community funding, and finally $1 million from the state grant Local Share Account. By understanding and leveraging grant opportunities, Upper Darby hopes to achieve $11 million in investment with only $3 million in local dollars used.

“Myself and my administration are committed to revitalizing, reforming, and reinvesting in Upper Darby, and our new Community Center project is a perfect example of those three principles in action,” Mayor Keffer said. “This grant funding is an exciting step forward towards a dynamic new space for all our residents to enjoy. Last but not least, the responsible contracting ordinance promoted by my administration will ensure that the Community Center will be built with the highest quality, most local labor possible.” 

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