Before & After Images Available Here
PHILADELPHIA – This afternoon, City and State officials, Rebuild Philadelphia, the Free Library of Philadelphia, Community Ventures, and community members celebrated the grand reopening of the newly renovated Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library, which received an $8.5 million makeover. This investment was made possible through the City’s Rebuild program’s historic capital investment of over $500 million in 72 neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia.
“Blanche A. Nixon dedicated her life to making Southwest Philadelphia a safer, stronger, and more connected community,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “She believed that every child had value and that no one should be left behind—principles that are just as important today as they were when she was leading efforts to support a safer community and uplift young people. With this investment, we are investing in our young people and carrying forward her vision for a community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.”
“Libraries provide equitable access to knowledge and opportunity in our neighborhoods,” said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District). “The transformation of Blanche A. Nixon Library is not just about beautiful new facilities—it’s about investing in each other. As this historic building approaches its centennial this year, these renovations honor its legacy while ensuring it meets the needs of today’s diverse community.”
This project was bolstered by nearly $1.7 million in grants, including a $25,000 Keystone Communities Grant, a $225,000 Department of Community & Economic Development Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Programgrant, and $1.4 million in federal Community Project Funding (CPF) for ADA upgrades, secured with support from State and Federal elected officials.
“The Blanche Nixon Library is a well-loved Cobbs Creek institution – a place where neighbors have been gathering, engaging, and learning for nearly 100 years,” said Joanna McClinton, Pennsylvania Speaker of the House. “Making these upgrades was truly a team effort and the newly improved space will allow even more people to access the library’s grounds and resources for generations to come.”
“By weaving together federal, state, and local resources totaling over $1.45 million in additional funding, we’ve demonstrated what’s possible when communities and government align around a shared vision,” said Aparna Palantino, Director, Capital Program Office. “This century-old building stands ready to serve the next 100 years of readers, learners, and neighbors in Cobbs Creek.”
Totaling $8.5 million, the renovations at Blanche A. Nixon Library include:
- New outdoor amphitheater
- Interactive outdoor play area with seating
- Enhanced walking paths
- Comprehensive ADA upgrades, including a ramp, accessible restrooms, and an elevator
- New furniture and finishes throughout
- New windows, exterior doors, and lighting
- Addition of a family restroom
- Blanche A. Nixon Memorial Art Sculpture made in partnership with Percent for Art
“Every Philadelphian deserves a safe and inspiring place to learn and grow,” said Kelly Richards, President, Free Library of Philadelphia. “With these renovations, the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library will be an even better community hub, providing access to books, meeting and computer spaces, and programming for people of all ages.”
“Community Ventures is ecstatic to return to Cobbs Creek for the reopening of the Blanche A. Nixon Library,” said Troy Hannigan, Director of Development for Community Ventures. “The comprehensive upgrades at Blanche Nixon reflect a holistic vision that extends the library experience beyond its walls. It has been an honor to work with Rebuild and the Cobbs Creek community to thoughtfully design spaces that will foster learning, creativity, and community.”
Rebuild is the City’s historic investment of over $500 million in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia. Rebuild promises to acknowledge history, engage the community, and invest intentionally to uplift pivotal community spaces, empower neighborhoods, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.
Community Ventures is a Philadelphia non-profit real estate development and property management organization founded in 1987 to work in partnership with neighborhoods to improve communities and increase the supply of affordable housing. Community Ventures was selected by Rebuild to manage the Lawncrest Recreation Center improvements, including community engagement, design, and construction.
The Free Library of Philadelphia, with 54 locations and The Rosenbach, advances literacy, guides learning, and inspires curiosity with millions of digital and physical materials; 31,000 yearly programs and workshops; free public computers and extensive Wi-Fi, and rich special collections, including those at the Parkway Central Library and The Rosenbach. With more than 5 million in-person visits and 5 million more online annually, the Free Library and The Rosenbach are among the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia and boast a worldwide impact.