Authorizing the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to file an application and, if the application is accepted, to execute a contract to obtain a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under the Act of April 12, 1956, P.L. 1449, Section 4, as amended, to prevent and eliminate blight and to support comprehensive economic development programs in West Philadelphia and specifically the renovation of the Oliver Wendell Holmes School at 55th and Chestnut Streets.

WHEREAS, The Act of April 12, 1956, P.L. 1449, Section 4, as amended (the “Act”), authorizes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make grants to municipalities and counties to assist in carrying out programs of blight prevention in deteriorating or deteriorated areas of the City in which such programs may be expected to arrest the decline of the area; and

WHEREAS, It has been found and determined by this body that there exist throughout the City certain deteriorating or deteriorated areas of the City for which a program consisting of economic revitalization may be expected to arrest the decline of these areas of the City; and

WHEREAS, It is recognized that the grant of funds pursuant to the Act will impose certain obligations and responsibilities upon the City; and

WHEREAS, The City has made and prepared an application titled “Communities of Opportunities Appropriations” with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia, through its Commerce Department, will comply with all laws and regulations dealing with the grant request for a State-local blight prevention grant as stated in the Act; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, is hereby authorized to file an application and, if the application is accepted, to execute a contract to obtain a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, for a program of economic revitalization, under the Act of April 12, 1956, P.L. 1449. The Director of Commerce is further authorized to provide additional information and to furnish any documents that may be required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to act as the authorized representative of the City of Philadelphia. The City Solicitor may include in such grant application and contract such terms and conditions as he may deem necessary or desirable to protect the best interest of the City of Philadelphia.

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