PHILADELPHIA—Philadelphia has just broken ground on the North Central Public Safety Building, a substantial new facility in North Philadelphia that’s been in the works for years.
Located at 21st and Diamond Streets, in North Philadelphia, the project cost is reportedly $40 million and has a fall 2027 completion target.
The venue’s main components are a new home for the 22nd Police District and a Police Athletic League (PAL) center with a full-size gym, classrooms, and a community room for events and youth programs.
The modern new police station will be replacing the city’s outdated 17th Street facility. Green spaces, public plazas, and a fueling station for city vehicles are also in the plans.
The building’s design will capture the historic character of the Diamond Street neighborhood, including ornamental brickwork, and the PAL center will be physically and operationally separate from the police station to help foster trust and accessibility for local youth. The project includes public art installations and separate parking for civilians and police.
The project faced delays due to community concerns and was initially rejected in 2020. But after reworking the plan to include more community amenities—the PAL center in particular—it gained broad support and was approved in 2023.
The west portion of the $40 million, 30,600-square-foot facility will house the 22nd Police District, providing officers with a modern facility to support responsive, community-focused policing.
The east portion will be home to the new PAL Center. The surrounding four parcels will include new parks and green space, public parking facilities, and a fuel station to support the city’s fleet operations.
Project Team
Architect & Engineer: Ballinger
General Construction: Daniel J. Keating Company
Mechanical: Kaser Mechanical, LLC
Plumbing: John J. Bee, Inc.
Electrical: E.J. Electric, Inc.
Estimated project completion: FALL 2027
Ballinger is an interdisciplinary design firm based in Philadelphia. It is one of the first in the nation to combine the fields of architecture and engineering into a professional practice. With a staff of over 250, Ballinger is one of the largest architectural firms in the region.
