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In September, I presented a $ 12 million check to the Bakers Centre (formerly known as Bakers Square) economic development project, which was funded through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Bakers Centre is a 220,000 square foot, expansive shopping complex encompassing 30 acres located on Hunting Park Avenue, Fox Street and Roberts Avenue. This development is a part of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission Redevelopment Initiative. This $60 million project, now underway, will boost Philadelphia’s economy and job market with 350 construction jobs and approximately 700 permanent jobs. Bakers Centre Development Project
The Bakers Centre shopping complex is located in the Hunting Park West section of Philadelphia at the former headquarters of the famed Tasty Baking Company.
The mixed-use urban redevelopment project is being developed by Metro Development. Metro Development’s mission is to invest its energy and talents toward developing projects that meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. It has prided itself in changing as communities’ needs change. This project is a collaborative effort of many great minds devoted to the future of Philadelphia. Jeff Brown and Brown’s Super Stores have led this effort by building in a challenging neighborhood. The developers at US Realty Associates and Metro Development Company are to be commended for their personal investment in this site. Together, we are moving Philadelphia forward during difficult economic times. Investment in PA Works Now Could Mean Investment in More Job Creating, Infrastructure Improving Development Projects
It is projects like Bakers Centre that make the need for a strong, innovative infrastructure/jobs plan all the more critical in Pennsylvania. Just this one project means that over 1,000 jobs will come to Philadelphia. Imagine what projects like Bakers Centre can mean for the state. These are the kinds of developments that would result if plans like PA Works Now are enacted. PA Works Now is designed to create more than 80,000 new jobs and spur an immediate, economic boost. It would hold the line on broad based taxes and make critical, long term investments in infrastructure rehabilitation to create new opportunities for future growth and development. I have said numerous times that jobs are the number one priority for Pennsylvanians. We must invest in projects like Bakers Centre and put more people back to work. All across Pennsylvania, the constant refrain from our constituents is “where are the jobs?” We have a real opportunity to provide the answer with the PA Works Now plan. Economic development projects provide great resources for Pennsylvania communities, but they also create valuable jobs at a time when they are so badly needed. Investing in projects like Bakers Centre has great rewards. By working together, investing smartly and rebuilding our economic foundation we can turn communities around and have a sustained recovery. You can find out more specifics about our PA Works Now proposal on my website at senatorhughes.com. And be sure to find me on Facebook and Twitter (@SenatorHughes).
Offices of State Senator Vincent Hughes
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Bakers Centre will be anchored by a 71,000 square foot Brown’s ShopRite supermarket owned and operated by Brown’s Super Stores. Brown’s Super Stores operate several ShopRite supermarkets in Philadelphia and are known for their efforts to increase the availability of affordable, healthy foods in under-served, urban communities. 
PA Works Now would not only provide quality, family sustaining jobs, it also rebuilds our transportation, water and sewer, and public utility infrastructures. It invests in our information and technology infrastructure to keep Pennsylvania internationally competitive. It invests in green technology and rebuilds crumbling and distressed neighborhoods and small towns.