This op-ed in the current UC Review will be of interest to those of you confused about the historic designation proposal put forward by the SHCA and UCHS on behalf of the "community."
Opponents warned that the massive power placed in the Philadelphia Historic Commission would not give any protection to "historic assets" in the neighborhood. Instead the power would be used by Campus Inn supporters, such as SHCA and UCHS leaders, to force working class and fixed income neighbors out of the neighborhood. The key in this report is the refusal of the corrupt PHC to contact the people organized with an appliication to protect the buildings. It doesn't matter whether the buildings should have been ultimately demolished for the parking lot. The "incomplete application" reason provided for the PHC conduct is the key. It's such a pathetically lame justification for the pay to play system that it arrogantly insults our itelligence. I'd like to thank Al for putting up with the constant ad homiem abuse and having the courage to lead opposition against this UCHS and SHCA proposal. This report shows that the opponents were correct. http://www.weeklypress.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=97&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=858&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2392&hn=weeklypress&he=.com Despite the efforts of the Kennedy House residents, who had submitted a 16-page application in mid-June to nominate the buildings for the City’s Historic Register, a demolition permit was recently granted with no notice given to the residents. The Philadelphia Historical Commission now says the resident’s application was incomplete. So why couldn’t they have called the residents, not just as a courtesy, but in the interest of preserving a remarkable, Georgian Revival building? Why is the city’s preservation establishment a serial disappointer, continually rubber-stamping demolitions when they should be at the front line of defense? Where’s the new day in Mayor Nutter’s historically diminished Philadelphia?! ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
