The New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) has launched a new initiative aimed at bringing neighbors together and expanding access to essential resources.
The Kensington Engagement Center, now open at 3000 Kensington Avenue, is designed to be a hub for community support, offering services and programs focused on long-term neighborhood solutions.
NKCDC officials say the center will be key to fostering connections and addressing local needs more directly and hands-on.
Over the years, this historic building has housed various businesses, from restaurants to jewelry stores, and even functioned as a police substation in 2021.
Now, it has been repurposed into a dynamic hub designed to support Kensington residents through education, advocacy, and resource accessibility.
This transformation is part of NKCDC’s larger “Co-creating Kensington” initiative, an ongoing effort to engage local voices in shaping the future of their neighborhood through trauma-informed planning and development.
The center opened in mid-January and is already becoming a key resource for the community.
The space offers events aimed at strengthening local engagement, from exhibitions and workshops to public meetings and outreach programs.
Beginning in February, it will also house NKCDC’s vital satellite services, including housing counseling, legal aid, utility support, and community health programs.
With operating hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the center invites individuals and organizations to use the space for meetings and events that contribute to the neighborhood’s well-being.
Strategically positioned across from McPherson Square Library and McPherson Gateway Garden, the engagement center was intentionally placed to enhance accessibility and connect residents with surrounding community assets.
NKCDC’s Executive Director, Dr. Bill McKinney, emphasized the importance of this location, noting that clustering vital resources together strengthens their impact and reinforces community support networks.
Along with offering essential services, the center also highlights Kensington’s history.
Its first exhibit, Kensington Avenue: Remembering the Past, Shaping the Future, looks back at the neighborhood’s small business roots and how they’ve evolved over time.
Featuring historical photos, a detailed 1942 map, and portraits of today’s business owners, the exhibit pays homage to the entrepreneurial spirit that has long defined the avenue.
Beyond its main community space, the building also offers rental opportunities for local organizations needing permanent office or meeting areas.
The second floor boasts a spacious 1,026-square-foot layout with an open area, lounge, bathroom, and Wi-Fi wiring, while the third floor provides a 670-square-foot suite with similar amenities.
Nonetheless, both spaces have insulated walls to minimize external noise.
The center officially opened on January 15, the same day as what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 96th birthday.
The timing was deliberate, reinforcing the center’s goal of promoting dialogue, empowerment, and equity in Kensington.
During the morning press conference, Dr. McKinney spoke about the importance of community-driven solutions, stating that the center is a commitment to sustained engagement and progress.
The event drew notable city and state representatives, including Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, Senator Christine Tartaglione, Senator Nikil Saval, District Attorney Larry Krasner, and Chief of Public Safety Director Adam Greer.
Senator Tartaglione, instrumental in securing funding for the center, expressed her enthusiasm for the project’s potential to inspire positive change.
She reaffirmed her dedication to investing in local initiatives that directly benefit the community.
Following the formal opening, the celebration continued into the evening with a lively gathering featuring food from local favorites such as Cantina La Martina, Vientiane Bistro, LJ’s Cafe, and El Coqui.
That was where longtime residents and NKCDC Kensington staff came together to share stories, laugh, and embrace.
For Gwendolyn Walker, who has watched the building’s transformation firsthand, the center represents resilience, as people can find support, ask questions, and take steps toward a better future.
