The City of Philadelphia is finalizing plans for the construction of a new Family Court facility at 15th and Arch Streets.  When completed in 2013, the court’s move will leave its current Family Court building (1801 Vine Street) vacant.  Designed by John T. Windrim and built by the New Deal-era Public Works Administration in 1938-41, this grand neoclassical edifice is among Philadelphia’s most significant public buildings.  Designed as a companion to the Free Library of Philadelphia (Horace Trumbauer, 1917-27), the pair stand in near-perfect symmetry on the north side of Logan Circle.

The city is reportedly preparing a request for proposals seeking private redevelopment of the building.  We believe that a task force should be established to study the feasibility of keeping the building intact and in public use before any private redevelopment options are pursued, and are asking Mayor Nutter to support a public, transparent planning process for the building.