HELP PROTECT THE WATERWORKS

The Fairmount Park Commission is reviewing a proposed plan to add an addition (see photo) to the historic Engine House at the Fairmount Waterworks, a National Historic Landmark. The addition has been proposed by the restaurant operator that the Park Commission selected to open a 200-seat restaurant in the Engine House. Although the operator originally agreed to open the restaurant only inside the Engine House, they subsequently asked for additional space by placing a glass enclosure within the porch on the side of the Engine House facing the Schuylkill River. Now the operator is asking for a second increase in size and modification to the Engine House to add a Victorian-style greenhouse to house an additional 72 customers on the side of the building facing the Museum of Art.

The Preservation Alliance is opposed to this addition for the following reasons: 1) the operator has not demonstrated any economic need for the addition; 2) the operator was selected through a public process in which they committed to open the restaurant within the Engine House only; the changes requested are inappropriate without a new public selection process; 3) the proposed addition is in violation of the Secretary of the Interior¹s Standards for National Historic Landmark properties, which the City should uphold for historic properties in its ownership.

The Waterworks is one of Philadelphia's most important, most visible, and most admired historic sites. While a restaurant within the Engine House would be a welcome addition to the Waterworks complex, sacrificing the character of this historic site is not appropriate, not necessary, nor in the public interest.

We need your help. The Fairmount Park Commission may vote on this proposal on July 9, 2003. If you share our view that this would be an inappropriate change to one of Philadelphia's great historic properties, please sign our petition by emailing your name and address to Julia@preservationalliance.com.

John Andrew Gallery, Executive Director
Waterworks Addition Update