While Hope Park is far from utopian, it could provide a model for Mayor Parker as she maps her plan to shut down Kensington’s open-air drug market and stabilize larger swaths of the neighborhood.
A homeless encampment with dozens of residents sprawled across the half-acre green space a few blocks west of Kensington Avenue. Drug-fueled shootings and open-air dealing engulfed the street. Neighbors felt besieged by chaos.
Garcia said crime has plummeted as a result of the comprehensive investment. An Inquirer analysis of police data shows that, within a roughly two-minute walk of Hope Park, reports of violent incidents fell in the six months after the mill development opened. Between August 2023 and February 2024, violent crimes dropped 36% compared with the same period in 2021, while property crime decreased 28% in that time frame.
Parker has proposed that the city spend more than $7 million to clean up parks and libraries across the city, with a portion of that funding earmarked to safely dispose of syringes in McPherson. Other improvements to the library are already underway, and members of City Council wrangled millions more in funding to remake the building and clean the park that surrounds it.
At the same time, Impact worked with local politicians and philanthropies to clean and green the surrounding area. The Neubauer Family Foundation contributed $750,000 to spruce up parks, paint murals, and provide home repairs.In this swatch of Kensington, 39% of homes are owner-occupied, with more than half of the residents living in deep poverty. The destitution that Garcia saw behind the front door of the homes broke his heart.“Their roof collapses, and they can’t fix that,” he said.
A police cruiser now sits watch on the corner of Hope Park. A few blocks away, high-intensity drug traffic prevails.Work also remains to be done. Impact still needs to secure $1 million to finish building a gymnasium in the mill building. The nonprofit has struggled to find a tenant for the ground-floor commercial space, after residents rejected the idea of a methadone clinic.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hahnemann University Hospital settles lawsuit over birth injury for $32 millionChastity Fabrizio's baby was diagnosed with a brain injury that occurs when a fetus or newborn does not receive enough oxygen to their brain.
Read more »
Alphabet reportedly weighing offer for HubSpot, sending shares in the $32 billion marketing company up 9%HubSpot stock spiked 9% on Thursday morning after Reuters reported that Alphabet is in talks with its advisers to make an offer for the software company.
Read more »
In Canada: Double-Digit Growth and a $32 Million Boost in Government FundingCanada Music Fund to get funding boost and more Canada music industry news, including double-digit growth and a history making Junos.
Read more »
BTS’ J-Hope Unveils Heartwarming ‘Hope on the Street’ Docuseries Trailer: WatchBTS' J-Hope has dropped the 'Hope on the Street' trailer. Watch it here.
Read more »
J-Hope’s ‘Hope on the Street Vol. 1’ Is Here: Stream It NowThe BTS superstar unveiled his long awaited album, Hope on the Street Vol. 1, on Friday (March 29).
Read more »
Neighbors hope Norwood Place property can be reclaimed as city parkNeighbors says they would like to see a park on the property in the future.
Read more »