Elfreth's Alley, our nation's oldest residential street, was saved from demolition twice in the 20th century. First, in 1934, by resident Dolly Ottey, who recognized its significance and created the Elfreth’s Alley Association to “preserve and protect” its 18th and 19th century homes. The second, in the 1960's, when the Elfreth's Alley Association secured National Historic Landmark status to ensure that the construction of Interstate 95 did not eliminate “our nation’s oldest residential street” from the landscape of Old City, Philadelphia entirely.

Today, the Alley and the streetscape of Old City is being threatened once again. The new rental apartment building, The National, owns the last 100 feet of the Alley toward N. 2nd Street where no. 138, 140 and 142 Elfreth’s Alley once stood (prior to NHL status). The owners of National intend to rebuild a park on this site to replace what Alley and Old City residents lovingly referred to as Flagpole Park for the last 4 decades -- a place where local children learned to ride bikes, visitors to Elfreth’s Alley were greeted and Old City residents gathered for neighborhood events.

The Elfreth’s Alley Association and residents have actively engaged the owners of The National regarding the design of the new park, based on an easement the association obtained in 2005 which ensures design approval, within reason. Unfortunately, Elfreth’s Alley Association and The National have not yet come to agreement on the core tenets of design. We believe the park should be:

1. An appropriate entrance to the Elfreth’s Alley National Historic Landmark
2. Harmonious with the design language of the Alley and maintain the continuity of the street and historic Old City, Philadelphia
3. Provide Elfreth’s Alley & Old City residents, as well as visitors, with a much needed green space in this area of the district

Discussions have been on-going yet the owners of The National have not provided meaningful design revisions to the plans to achieve the above. Not only is the streetscape of Elfreth’s Alley being threatened, but the streetscape of the Old City Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

While the Elfreth’s Alley Association believes in the growth of neighborhoods to make them more accessible and economically productive, we also believe modern development must be thoughtful and respectful to existing communities. This requires an open dialogue and consistent communication at every step in the process from concept to completion.

Please add your name to this petition and let the owners of The National, and our local leaders in the Philadelphia government, know we deserve and demand a voice that leads to ACTION. We must ensure Elfreth’s Alley and Old City, Philadelphia evolve while respecting national historic landmark designations and the history that has made Philadelphia is the only World Heritage City in the country.