by KYW’s Al Novack

Everybody observing the latest Housing Authority implosion held their breath as they watched the old 18-story Mantua Hall in the West Philadelphia area drop down to the ground by several thousand sticks of dynamite.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) Director Carl Greene:

“We had a small countdown and the building came right down.  We look forward to the building 100 quality homes in the neighborhood and we look forward to property values going up.”

At one time the PHA managed 40 high rise buildings in the city.  With the latest implosion there are now 19 obsolete high rise projects remain.  Mantua Hall will be replaced with garden-style row houses.