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| The Trinity Oxford Church Parish House--Yong Kim, the Inquirer. |
Advocacy Update
Though it isn't here quite yet, Fall is shaping up to be a dramatic season for Philadelphia preservationists and as such we have much to report! If you haven't heard, we are thrilled to tell you the Trinity Oxford Parish House, a handsome redbrick building almost lost, will be reopening. That's right! Thanks to many, this humble beauty will survive. We continue to feel amazed, honored, and inspired by the people who share our commitment to preserving what matters.
--the Alliance Team
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A quick photo-op after the announcement--
Rep Solomon on FB.
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Trinity Oxford Parish House Slated for Reuse
Last week, Preservation Alliance Executive Director Paul Steinke participated in a press conference hosted by State Representative Jared Solomon (D-202) announcing plans to reuse the Trinity Oxford Parish House. In 2017, plans for a Royal Farms convenience store threatened the 1928 structure.
With the help of Rep. Solomon, the Alliance added the building to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places and encouraged church leaders to pursue an adaptive reuse plan. The Parish House will now be operated and maintained by Kinder Academy, a well-regarded preschool provider. We thank Rep. Solomon, neighborhood stakeholders and church leaders in their efforts to maintain this historic northeast Philadelphia landmark.
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The
Edward Corner Marine Merchandize Warehouse. A new agreement has altered its course.
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Demolition Averted after Settlement for Edward Corner Building
The City of Philadelphia with the Department of Licenses and Inspections and real estate developer Streamline have reached a settlement agreement on the future of the Edward Corner Marine Merchandize Warehouse.
A partially collapsed parapet in August had seemingly shoved the building to
the brink of demolition. Per the settlement, the building will be fully stabilized and rehabilitated under the supervision of an on-site engineer.
The Alliance could not be more pleased by this outcome. We extend our gratitude to the Dept. of Licenses and Inspections for ensuring this historic property is treated with the care it requires. Shout out to Oscar Beisert and the L&I Riverwards Coalition for their advocacy and vigilance on this issue.
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Task Force Legislation Shaping Up
Since the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Task Force concluded its work in March, the Alliance has been hard at work advocating for the recommendations contained in its
final report.
Councilman Mark Squilla has introduced three bills to amend the zoning code and incentivize investment in historic properties. Specifically, the three bills will:
- Reduce parking and loading requirements for historically designated properties
- Allow for Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs
- Encourage by-right development of special purpose properties
These are subtle tweaks to the zoning code but we are excited by the opportunities they present for historic properties across the city. Council resumed September 12. The Alliance expects a hearing of these bills in the coming weeks.
Overbrook Farms Historic District Back on the Agenda
An
updated historic district nomination for Overbrook Farms will be formally reviewed by the Philadelphia Historical Commission's Committee on Historic Designation in October. A final vote on the Overbrook Farms Historic District is scheduled for November.
Overbrook Farms is a residential development (1893-1929) of approximately 500 properties located on the western edge of Philadelphia. Its designation as an official Historic District has been formally "under consideration" by the Philadelphia Historical Commission since at least 2012. Neighborhood stakeholders and the Historical Commission are eager to resolve the district's pending status.
Resolving this district's worthy status will bring clarity to the stakeholders. It'll also free the Commission to focus on other potential districts. The Committee on Historic Designation meets October 16 at 9:30 AM (1515 Arch St., Room 18-049). Commission meetings are open to the public.
Philadelphia History Museum: What's Next?
This week at the Free Library on Logan Square a public meeting provided an update on the fate of the Philadelphia History Museum's 133,000+ object collection. The objects and artifacts will be "digitized" and made available to exhibitions around the city thanks to Drexel. As for the 1826 building on S. 7th Street which housed the museum, no new information was provided at the meeting. Read the Inquirer's complete coverage
here.
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church |
Urban Archaeology & Historic Preservation Panel
Friday, September 20th
8:00-10:00 AM @ St. Stephen's
What happens when city workers unearth human remains? Is a chamber pot an artifact? Who decides what ends up behind glass in a museum and what gets tossed into the wastebasket of history? And how?
Join the Preservation Alliance for a special panel discussion on archaeological practices in our urban environment. Continental Breakfast included!
Panelists include:
- Doug Mooney, President of the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum
- Jed Levin, Vice President of the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum
- Casey Hanson, Archaeologist, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
- Rebecca Yamin, PhD, historical archaeologist
- Moderator: Stephan Salisbury, Art & Culture Reporter, Philadelphia Inquirer
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YFPA Fall Events
Sixth Annual 'In with the Old'
Thursday, October 3, 6:00PM - 9:00PM @ Independence Seaport Museum
Climb aboard the
USS Olympia
, the oldest United States warship still floating, for an evening with the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance. Tickets
here.
Rust Belt Takeover
October 4 - 6
All Over Philly!
The takeover will include multiple days of exclusive tours at locations across the Philadelphia-area such as the PSFS Building, North Broad Street, Mount Moriah Cemetery, and more! Plus, attendees can attend preservation parties at mixers on Friday and Saturday nights! Click here
for a full description of the takeover's offerings and here for tickets.
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