1325 Beach Street, Philadelphia (commonly known as the PECO Building adjacent to Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown) is being reviewed for designation by the Philadelphia Historical Commission on June 15, 2016. Unfortunately the developer of this property plans to OPPOSE this nomination - please sign this petition to show your support!

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Through neighbors I was connected to Stephanie Haller, who in 2014 was still completing her undergraduate studies in Architecture and Historic Preservation. We were both interested in protecting the PECO Building - one of the largest, most iconic structures in 19125.

While Stephanie put her new skills to work authoring the nomination, I set out to inform and engage the community about this nomination. I informed the councilpersons (Clarke & Squilla), Central Delaware Advocacy Group (CDAG), Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA), Friends of Penn Treaty Park (FoPTP) and New Kensington Community Development Corp (NKCDC); we were met with thanks and encouragement. We basically knew nothing about the process but were inspired and driven by a desire to protect a loved community asset.

The second version of our nomination was accepted by the Philadelphia Historical Commission and is up for review. Unfortunately we were informed this week that  a consulting firm hired by the owner, Tower Investments, plans to oppose the designation.

If Tower Investments was concerned about the quality of the nomination, they would testify to amend the nomination, not oppose it.

Tower Investments is opposing the designation on the grounds that a designation on the National Register exists for this building. While this is true, National Register designations do not possess any enforcement teeth. From the National Registration of Historic Places FAQ: "You are not required to maintain the property in any specific way; you may demolish the property without federal permission."

Stephanie and I are not against development. We are not against anyone making a profit. We actually would like to see both the public and private sector benefit from this remarkable structure. Please sign and express your support to Jon Farnham, PhD (Historical Commission Executive Director), Council President and Ex-officio Historical Commission Member Darrell Clarke (5th District) and Councilman Mark Squilla (1st District). The Historical Commission needs to know the community supports the protection of this structure!

If you would like to give testimony on behalf of the building, the meeting will be held at One Parkway, 13th Floor 1515 Arch Street at 9:30 AM on Wednesday June 15th.