Philadelphia's Historic Districts

Four Philadelphia neighborhoods are currently in the process of assembling background and support materials that will enable them to be designated as city Historic Districts, which will provide mechanisms to maintain their basic physical and/or visual character. The communities now engaged in the process of becoming designated as historic are Spruce Hill and Overbrook Farms in West Philadelphia; Penn Knox, a Germantown neighborhood; and Old City in East Center City.

A local historic district in Philadelphia is defined as a distinctive area of the city that possesses a significant collection of buildings, structures, sites or objects united by past events, physical development or architecture. Currently there are eight local districts in Philadelphia: Diamond Street, a North Philadelphia neighborhood, designated in 1986; Park Mall, on the Temple University campus, designated in 1990; the Center City community of Rittenhouse/Fitler Square, designated in 1995; the unique Historic Street Paving District, which recognizes rare paving throughout the city, designated in 1998; Society Hill, designated in 1999; the South Philadelphia community of Girard Estates, designated in 1999; League Island Park, otherwise known as FDR Park in South Philadelphia, designated in 2000; and Spring Garden, a community close to the Philadelphia Art Museum, designated in 2000.

Studies demonstrate that local historic districts contribute to the stabilization of property values, the retention of an areaís fabric, and the fostering of community pride, which is why many American cities and smaller municipalities have adopted such historic districting programs. Owners of income-producing buildings in a historic district may be eligible for federal investment tax credits for rehabilitation projects, and community based organizations may qualify for grant programs.