The center's arrival marks a big step in Williams' vision and his campaign promise to bring his office into the city's neighborhoods, and to partner with residents on threatening quality-of-life issues.
"When we look at things that impact neighborhoods," Ramsey said, "these issues don't get the attention they deserve. By having this office here, people will have a place to talk about these issues, and people who are sensitive to them."
The center will open in November, starting at a couple of days a week. Williams noted that it comes at no additional cost to taxpayers, as the space was donated by Blatstein.
Inside, prosecutors and police officers will work with residents, and when necessary direct them to the proper services.
"It's working with the community to solve problems, whatever the problems are," Williams said.
A busted streetlight. Stolen bike. Broken car window.
"We will do triage here," he said.
Hours will be expanded based on the community's need.
Williams said he planned to work with businesses, developers, churches - whoever is willing - to open a community action center in each of his office's six divisions.
"Everybody doesn't want to come downtown, or have a cop car outside their home," Williams said. He's banking that working within the community will result in tips and leads.
"The whole idea is to be proactive," he said. "If I wanted to be reactive, I'd just wait for people to get shot. Clearly, crime prevention is much more important than crime prosecution."
Northern Liberties, which runs from Girard Avenue to Spring Garden Street and Seventh Street to Front Street, once thrived with breweries and factories that have long faded.
