State Sen. Haywood set to open new district office in Mt. Airy

State Sen. Art Haywood is opening a new office for his Philadelphia constituents. Located at 7104-7106 Germantown Ave., it will open on July 22.

“I am glad we will finally have an office in Philadelphia to serve more of our neighbors,” Haywood said in a press release.

The newly-elected senator also wants to engage Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods by partnering with community civics, clergy and nonprofits to help better connect and empower residents.

“We want to play matchmaker, if you will,” said Dwight Pedro Lewis, Haywood’s chief of staff.

Enlisting the community is another goal, tying in with Haywood’s “participation is power” motto.

His office has brought on 13 interns, all high school and college students from the district. Haywood has also launched a volunteer program.

Some of those volunteers have joined the citywide Read! By the 4th program to address the sobering fact that 58 percent of third-graders in Philadelphia read below grade level, Lewis said.

Moving to Mt. Airy

The move to Mt. Airy comes after a five-month search for a location that met key criteria, Lewis said.

Among those, being conveniently situated to public transportation in an area with high foot traffic, was high on the list.

Haywood also wanted to ensure the site would not be too close to another state-level legislator’s office in order to provide a broader reach of access to services.

Lewis noted there are few properties that meet those specifications that don’t also need major renovations. The new office was built to suit by Martin Elfant Inc.

The space will be welcoming, but not lavish.

“It’s going to make the constituents feel good when they walk in the door,” Lewis said.

The Philadelphia district office will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays (hours to be determined).

It will be staffed by six members of Haywood’s team, not including the senator and his chief of staff, plus volunteers and interns.

Haywood will retain his Abington office without any downsizing of its current staff. He and Lewis will rotate between the local offices and Harrisburg.

Besides his three offices, Haywood offers a weekday online chat service, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for those who cannot make a visit in-person. 

Grand opening

Haywood’s Philadelphia district office will host a grand opening event that is open to the public on Wednesday, July 22, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

He will meet with community leaders and other legislators from 3 to 4 p.m. and then open the office up the community. Attendees will be introduced to the entire staff and Haywood will speak about his plans for the remainder of the calendar year.