Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority – Philadelphia, PA

Revitalizing Philadelphia’s Neighborhoods

The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) acts as the city’s primary agency for urban renewal and community development. Operating in close coordination with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), the Authority is tasked with the elimination of blight and the promotion of sustainable growth. It serves as a catalyst for investment, helping to transform vacant and underutilized properties into thriving residential, commercial, and mixed-use spaces that benefit the community.

Core Functions and Services

The PRA wields specific powers to achieve its mission of citywide revitalization. Its key responsibilities include:

• Land Assembly: Acquiring real estate, sometimes through the power of eminent domain, to prepare sites for development.
• Project Financing: Issuing tax-exempt municipal bonds and providing loans to assist developers and non-profits with large-scale projects.
• Blight Removal: Identifying and addressing distressed properties to improve neighborhood safety and value.
• Public Art: managing the Percent for Art program, which requires developers of certain projects to dedicate a portion of construction costs to public art installations.

Location and Access

The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority is headquartered in the 1234 Market Street building, occupying the 16th Floor. This is a major commercial office tower in Center City. Visitors to the agency typically require an appointment, especially for meetings regarding land disputes, development proposals, or board hearings. The building maintains a security desk in the lobby; all guests must present valid photo identification and undergo security screening before being granted access to the elevators.

Transportation

The headquarters is exceptionally well-situated for public transit access. It is located directly above or adjacent to the 13th Street Station (Market-Frankford Line and Trolleys) and is just one block from Jefferson Station, a primary hub for SEPTA Regional Rail. Numerous bus routes, including the 17, 33, 44, and 48, stop immediately nearby on Market and Chestnut Streets, making it easily reachable from all parts of the city.