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Groundbreaking at Former Orinoka Mills Site


On October 27 Philadelphia and the New Kensington Community Development Corporation will have a groundbreaking ceremony at the location of the former Orinoka Mills building in Kensington at 11AM. Located at Ruth and Somerset, the building was the Orinoka Mills Corporation’s base of production for decades. Their textiles were of such a quality that you can still find them sold on sites like Ebay today.

The building is being turned into the Orinoka Civic House, a mixed-used project that will bring more affordable housing to the community as well as commercial and retail space. The project is the first step in NKCDC’s North of Lehigh revitalization program, based off residents’ input that rehabilitation is vital to improving the community. Sandy Salzman, Executive Director of the NKCDC, said in a press release:

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The mill is a dangerous eyesore. It has served as a cover for illegal activity. This project will continue the positive momentum in Kensington. We are excited about the lasting effect Orinoka Civic House will have on the community.

NKCDC hopes to emulate their past success in rehabilitating dillapidated industrial sites with the Orinoka Civic House.

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