With an Old Factory, Philadelphia Is Hoping to Draw New Teachers
Mark Makela for The New York Times
Two buildings in Philadelphia that will contain apartments and offices intended to house mostly teachers and nonprofit educational organizations began their life as the Quaker City Dye Works in 1875.
By JON HURDLE
Published: May 4, 2013
PHILADELPHIA — A Victorian-era dye factory is taking on a new role to help this city’s troubled public school system attract and retain teachers.
Mark Makela for The New York Times
The renovation of the 160,000-square-foot complex is expected to be done in time for the 2014-15 academic year.
Two redbrick buildings in the up-and-coming but still gritty South Kensington section of Philadelphia are being converted into apartments and offices intended to house teachers and nonprofit educational organizations in what the developers hope will become a cohesive community.
When the renovation is complete, 60 percent of the buildings’ 114 apartments will be reserved for teachers, who will be offered a 25 percent discount on market rent — paying about $1,000 a month for