Construction crews are working on the demolition of the highrise Norris Apartments building, between 10th and 11th streets on the edge of Main Campus. The highrise demolition is the first by the Philadelphia Housing Authority to use a wrecking ball rather than implosion. According to the PHA, this method of demolition is much more cost effective.

The building will be replaced by a 51-unit housing complex, and its construction was slated to begin April 1. The new complex will be the PHA’s first-ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified project. LEED is an environmentally focused building certification program, aimed to encourage developers to ‘build green.’ In accordance with the LEED stipulations, the new homes will have energy saving measures including solar hot water panels on the roof, Energy Star windows, low plumbing fixtures, compact fluorescent light fixtures, and green space, among other features.
Read more about the project here.