19th AND SANSOM DEMOLITION APPEALED

For many years the Philadelphia Parking Authority has been proposing to build a 500-600 car parking garage with movie theaters above on a site that extends from Walnut Street (opposite Rittenhouse Square) to Sansom Street between 19th and 20th streets. The project requires the demolition of three historic properties on Sansom Street in the Rittenhouse/Fitler Historic District. Opponents from the Rittenhouse Square area unsuccessfully contested the zoning variances needed for the project, leading the Parking Authority to submit an application for demolition to the Historical Commission in August. At its September meeting, by a 5-6 vote, the Commission rejected the Architectural Committee's recommendation to deny the demolition permit and instead voted to allow demolition to proceed while retaining only the facade of one of the three historic buildings. The Commission¹s decision was based on that section of the ordinance that allows buildings to be demolished when "necessary to the public interest."

The Alliance and many others testified in opposition to demolition. We and others argued that the project did not meet the standards City Council intended for demolition in the public interest and that it created a precedent for future projects. The Philadelphia Inquirer agreed and published an editorial questioning the Commission¹s decision. Only one demolition application has ever been approved under this provision, and that is for the expansion of the Convention Center. Subsequent to the Commission¹s approval, the Alliance and three other parties all filed appeals with the L&I Review Board and obtained a stay to prevent demolition while the appeals are being heard. A hearing is scheduled for November 10th. The results of the hearing and further updates on this matter will be posted on the Alliance¹s website.

Contact john@preservationalliance.com regarding your view on this issue.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority proposes to demolish three historic buildings on the 1900 block of Sansom Street as part of a project to build a parking garage with restaurant and movie theaters. The Alliance is concerned about this proposal for several reasons. 1) All three buildings are in the Rittenhouse/ Fitler Historic District and the Rittenhouse Coffee Shop (see photos) is designated as a significant building; 2) All three could be rehabilitated in an economically feasible manner, and: 3) The Parking Authority appears to claim that because it is a public agency it should be allowed to demolish any historic building that is in the way of one of its projects.

It's not clear why the Parking Authority is undertaking this project - as opposed to selling the land to a private developer. Nor is it clear why this is the best project for the site - part of which fronts on Walnut Street facing Rittenhouse Square - as pointed out in an excellent article by Inquirer architectural critic, Inga Saffron.

What's your view? Let us know by emailing the Alliance at john@preservationalliance.com. We will take your comments into consideration as the Alliance advocates on this issue.