A newly established wellness center spans an expansive 19 acres along the Delaware River, designed to function as a recovery residence for individuals who have completed treatment for substance use disorders.
On Wednesday, January 9, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, alongside city officials, unveiled an initial glimpse of the new Riverview Wellness Village located by the Delaware River.
Last July, the city council authorized $100 million in funding for this initiative.
Currently, Philadelphia has approximately 1,400 beds dedicated to mental health care and around 1,700 beds for substance use treatment; however, the demand for recovery beds exceeds the available supply.
In total, the village will have 340 beds distributed among all its buildings.
City leaders are optimistic that this facility will address the shortage of recovery beds and provide a secure environment for individuals seeking to leave homelessness behind.
The village will consist of structures covering approximately 127,000 square feet, aimed at addressing the opioid and overdose epidemic in various city neighborhoods.
Riverview Wellness Village will offer healthcare services alongside workforce development programs, therapeutic support, community gardening initiatives, recreational spaces, and additional amenities.
The structure designated to become the Central Meeting House in the village will include many of the amenities as part of its first phase and is expected to open by January 21.
