Historical Commission Meetings
Historical Commission: Next meeting Friday, March 12, 9:00 am, 1515 Arch Street, Room 18-029. Click here for the agenda.
Architectural Committee: Next meeting Tuesday, March 23, 9:00 am, Room 578, City Hall. Click here for last meeting's agenda (2/23/10).
Current Advocacy Issues
To view recent news coverage of these and other issues, visit our Current News page.
To view advocacy updates at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, click here.
To view older advocacy issues, click here.
Preservation Funding Threatened
President Obama has proposed significant cuts to preservation programs in his FY 2011 budget request. In what many see as the worst preservation budget in a generation, the current proposal calls for the total elimination of the Save America's Treasures and Preserve America grant programs, along with a 50% reduction in funding to National Heritage Areas. In Philadelphia alone, SAT has provided $8.5 million in badly-needed bricks-and-mortar preservation funding to three dozen local landmarks and cultural institutions, including Girard College, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Wagner Free Institute, Mother Bethel AME Church, Christ Church, and the Race Street Meetinghouse. Paired with matching private funds, these grants create jobs and protect historic resources indispensable to the city's cultural health and tourist economy. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has calculated that preservation projects generate 20% to 40% more jobs than comparable investment in new construction. Our historic resources are not only cultural treasures, they are "shovel-ready" economic engines.
This budget proposal will be reviewed and amended by Congress in the coming weeks and months, so now is the time to let your elected representatives know how important preservation investment is to your community. Click here to learn more at the National Trust's online advocacy center.
Keystone National Bank Design Debated
Restoration plans for the former Keystone National Bank, Willis Hale's striking 1887 landmark at 1326-28 Chestnut Street, continue to be debated by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Developer Alon Barzilay and architects JKR Partners propose converting the long-neglected property into a boutique hotel and restaurant, faithfully restoring the majority of the building's ornate masonry exterior but replacing the current 1960s-era storefront with a starkly contemporary glass entryway. The Commission rejected an initial design, arguing that it was too incongruous with the character of the existing historic fabric. A divided architectural committee recommended approval of a second design (illustrated on right above), that included elements of the historic storefront composition etched onto the new glass surfaces. On February 12, 2010, the full Historical Commission approved this design in concept, with the request that more substantial masonry materials be added to the storefront.* The Commission stopped short of requesting a full reconstruction of the building's historic appearance, however.
The proposal has drawn a wide range of opinion among architects and preservationists. Some feel the new design is an exciting contemporary intervention and a necessary component of the building's badly-needed rehabilitation. They point to the building's long history of storefront alteration (the current Valu-Plus facade is the building's fifth) and argue that the reconstruction of any one historic design is arbitrary and obscures the building's legacy of stylistic evolution. Others contend that the new design is poorly integrated into the existing historic fabric, lacks the compatibility of material, color, and texture appropriate to a landmark rehabilitation, and would waste a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an historically accurate reconstruction of one of the city's most significant buildings.
Barzilay and JKR Partners must resubmit plans to the Historical Commission before any work on the site commences. The Preservation Alliance will continue to participate in these discussions, and we encourage you to share your thoughts on the proposed design with us by emailing advocacy@preservationalliance.com.
*An earlier version of this post stated that the Historical Commission denied approval of the current design, when in fact it approved the design in concept with modifications. We apologize for the error.
Market Street Sign District Proposed
Coucilmember Frank DiCicco recently introduced legislation amending the city's billboard ordinance to create a Times Square-style advertising district on Market Street between 7th and 13th Streets. Many are worried that the legislation will open the door to billboard blight across the city, since the proposal strips language from the ordinance that has validated billboard restrictions in neighborhoods and scenic viewsheds citywide. The proposed Market Street district, which includes many historic buildings and comes within a block of Independence National Park, would allow signs of unlimited size, including jumbo video screens and full-building wraps. Opponents argue that, beyond the district's adverse impact to the city's visual character, buildings otherwise ripe for rehabilitation will be allowed to fester behind signs making "easy money" for unscrupulous landlords. The Preservation Alliance has joined SCRUB, The Public Voice for Public Space in opposing the bill, which is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Rules. You can read more about Bill 100013 on SCRUB's website, or view the bill in its entirety by clicking here.
Hillman Center Declared Eligible for National Register; Planning Commission Recommends Zoning for New Development
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has declared the Sidney Hillman Medical Center eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places, triggering a review if, as expected, federal funds are applied to the proposed redevelopment at the site. PHMC also said that the proposed high-rise development is incompatible with the surrounding historic properties. Both these points have also been previously argued by the Preservation Alliance at hearings before the Philadelphia Historical and Planning Commissions over the last several months.
In a letter dated July 23, PHMC concludes that the demolition of the Hillman Center in order to build the new high-rise project will adversely affect both the property itself and the Rittenhouse Historic District in which it lies and that, therefore, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – which is the hoped-for funding source for the new project – must “notify the Advisory Council [on Historic Preservation] of the effect finding and continue to consult with [PHMC] to seek way to avoid or reduce the effects on historic properties … The next step in the consultation process is to discuss mitigation. This must involve the federal agency [HUD] and identify consulting parties that want to participate in the process.” The Preservation Alliance has already informally indicated to PHMC that it wishes to be a consulting party.
Although the Hillman Center was originally listed as a “non-contributing” property in the Rittenhouse Square National Register Historic District because it was not yet 50 years old at the time of the district designation, PHMC now considers the property to be individually eligible under Criteria A [properties associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history] because the Center represents a collaborative effort between the unions and the employers to offer medical service to workers in the clothing industry in the post-war period. PHMC also considers the Hillman Center to be “a good example of the modernist design [which] provides an innovative solution to the limitation of the site.”
Image courtesy of R. Bradley Maule, www.phillyskyline.com
Earlier in July, the Philadelphia Historical Commission approved the design of a mixed-use development on the site. Meanwhile, the Preservation Alliance has appealed the Commission's earlier action to accept the property owner's claim of financial hardship and allow demolition of the mid-century structure.
At its meeting of July 21, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission recommended approval of zoning variances for the proposed apartment development. Prior to the meeting, Commission Executive Director Alan Greenberger and representatives of the developer met with concerned residents along 22nd Street. As a result of those meetings, several changes were made in the project, notably the high rise tower was set back farther from Sansom Street to increase light to the rear of the properties on 22nd Street and the height of the tower was increased from 30 stories to 33 stories.
At the July 21 meeting, the Preservation Alliance expressed concern about two aspects of the project. First, that no evidence had been presented that demonstrated a hardship inherent in the site that prevented its development under the existing zoning. This is the legal standard for approval of zoning variances. Second, from a planning perspective, the development of a 330-foot-high, glass-and-aluminum tower is inappropriate in a section of Center City where such high rise projects do not exist.
The Planning Commission's recommendation will be presented to the Zoning Board of Adjustment when it reviews the requests for zoning variances at its meeting on July 29.
The Alliance's appeal of the Historical Commission's demolition approval contends that the applicant failed to make a sufficient case of financial hardship as required by the city's historic preservation ordinance. Alliance Executive Director John Andrew Gallery testified to the Commission that the property was not thoroughly marketed for sale and that unreasonable conditions for sale indicated that the owner was not making a sufficiently good-faith effort to sell and preserve the property, as required by law.
The Preservation Alliance has maintained that the project fails to comply with the historic preservation guidelines set by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards because it is incompatible in height and character with the historic district. In addition, Gallery has suggested that the proposal may be in conflict with zoning law as indicated by the Commonwealth Court decision in 2005 regarding One Meridian Partners. In that case, the Court ruled that substantive changes in FAR require a rezoning of the site, not a variance. The Court also ruled that substantial evidence of hardship in the development of the property had to be demonstrated.
The building, designed by the firm of Magaziner & Polss and built in 1950 to provide free medical care to members of the Male Apparel Industry Union, is listed as a "contributing" building in the city's Rittenhouse Fitler Historic District. The building owner and joint venture partner, The John Buck Company, a Chicago developer, propose a mixed-use development on the site, including an apartment tower, retail space and a cafe along Chestnut Street and a parking garage, with dedicated office facilities for the Medical Center fronting on Sansom Street.
University of Pennsylvania architectural historian David Brownlee has praised the Hillman Center's design, history and innovation, placing it on a short list of Philadelphia’s significant mid-century modern architecture
Church of the Assumption Designated
The Church of the Assumption at 1123 Spring Garden Street was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places at the May meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
Andrew Palewski, a neighborhood resident and preservationist who nominated the 1849 church for designation, presented a petition with more than 400 signatures. Residents of the Callowhill and West Poplar neighborhoods testified about the church's importance as a neighborhood landmark. Architectural historian Michael Lewis, professor at Williams College, highlighted the church's historic significance in the context of Irish immigration and anti-Catholic sentiment during the mid-19th century. Designed by Patrick Charles Keely, a prominent 19th-century church architect, the Church of the Assumption is the oldest of his churches to survive, and was the first of his designs to feature twin spires, an effort to differentiate Catholic ecclesiastical architecture from Protestant.
The nomination was contested by its owner, the nonprofit Siloam, which provides mind/body/spirit services to people living with HIV/AIDs. Siloam bought the deconsecrated church in 2006 and, after exploring options, had intended to demolish it and use the site for open space. A designated building cannot be demolished without permission from the Historical Commission.
The Philadelphia Historical Commission granted conceptual approval at its May meeting to the Center City District's plan to redesign Dilworth Plaza, adjacent to City Hall. CCD's plan includes two glass, sloped-roof transit entries on axis with West Market Street, a glass structure containing a cafe and transit entrance in the northern portion, a large lawn and versatile water element that may be turned off to allow use as a public gathering space. The plan also includes substantial below-grade changes to the concourse and transit entries.
The Preservation Alliance testified at the Commission meeting, expressing concern about the lack of public input in the planning of this high-visibility public space; about the quality of the design; and about the lack of public art as a defining element of the design. Click here for the Alliance's full comments on the plans.
The project still requires conceptual and final approval from the Art Commission and final approval from the Historical Commission. The total project cost of $45 million is expected to be funded by $40 million in state and federal funds, a special bond issue and contributions from other sources. Because federal and state funds will eventually be involved, a Section 106 review and a review under the state History Code evaluating the impact on City Hall are required.
Click here to review the Center City District proposal.
On Friday, June 12, the Philadelphia Historical Commission
unanimously approved designation of four
Carnegie branch library buildings to the Philadelphia Register of Historic
Places.
The Preservation Alliance nominated the branch libraries in Haddington, Holmesburg, Logan and Kingsessing to the register in reaction to plans last year to close 11 branches of the Free Library, including the four Carnegie branches, due to city budget cuts.
These branches were built with a grant of $1.5 million
(equivalent to $48 million today) from industrialist Andrew Carnegie. His grant resulted in the construction of 25
branch libraries in
The new designation means that the four branch buildings will be protected from demolition or unapproved
exterior alterations even if they no longer function as libraries. The
To visit the Friends of the Free Library website, click here
It's the Law! Designation of Historic Interiors
The Philadelphia Historical Commission is now empowered to designate eligible interiors to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places after Mayor Nutter signed City Council Bill No. 080527 into law. The Historical Commission approved revised rules and regulations regarding procedures for nominating historic interiors in December 2009. After review by the City Records Department, the measure will go into effect on approximately February 1, 2010. Click here to read the final draft rules and regulations.
The bill, which was sponsored by Councilman Bill Green, authorizes the Commission to place eligible historic interiors on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Eligible interiors are those that are open to the public as part of normal business operations or were designed originally to be open to the public. Interiors of private residential spaces are specifically excluded.
The Alliance actively supported the bill and commends Councilman Green and his staff for their persistence in promoting this important advancement of historic preservation law in Philadelphia.
Support Passage of Historic Preservation State Tax Incentive
Legislation to provide incentives for the rehabilitation of historic properties in Pennsylvania has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 193-2. Now is the time to tell your state senator that you support the Historic Preservation Incentive Program! To find out how, click here and enter your zip code in the upper right hand corner.
Tell him or her that you urge passage of HB 42, which will provide grants of up to $15,000 for rehabilitation of historic residential buildings, state tax credits of up to $500,000 for rehabilitation of historic commercial properties and priority funding to properties located in Main Street and Elm Street areas, enterprise zones and historic districts.
The Preservation Alliance supports HB 42 and is working with Preservation Pennsylvania and other statewide organizations to try to obtain approval this year.
Click here to read HB 42.
Developer ARC Wheeler's proposal to restore the historic Art Deco Boyd Theater and build a $90 million hotel and entertainment complex has received final approvals from the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The developer has an agreement of sale with Live Nation for the theater.
The proposed project includes full restoration of the theater's interior and exterior to its original Art Deco character and the addition of a 28-story hotel connected to the theater. Construction of the hotel will require demolition of the existing stage house and constructin of a new stage house as part of the hotel. The project receive unanimous approval from the Historical Commission in November.
The Preservation Alliance has agreed to serve as the nonprofit partner for the project to assist in obtaining public and philanthropic funding for full restoration of the theater.
To view additional images of the ARC Wheeler project, please click here.
To view the Boyd nomination for historic designation, please click here.
To learn more about how you can support restoration of the Boyd, visit FriendsoftheBoyd.org.
The Preservation Alliance, in collaboration with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Penn Praxis and other partners, has initiated the first phase in the creation of a Preservation Plan for Philadelphia. The first stage includes preparation of a strategic preservation plan based upon extensive public consultation, a statement of historic significance defining the important themes in the history of the physical development of the city and the development of a methodology for a citywide survey of built resources based on the use of the latest in technology.
Click here for the report on the focused conversations about the Preservation Plan for Philadelphia.
Click here for the new PreservePhiladelphia website at www.PreservePhiladelphia.org
Neighbors, get involved! Tell us the history of your neighborhood. Submit photographs and stories about historic places or structures in your community. Check the Neighborhoods page to upload and see what others have shared.
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