BREAKING NEWS: BILL 251030 HELD UNTIL SEPTEMBER

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP YESTERDAY! We packed the first floor of the Council chamber with Philadelphians concerned that this bill will strip away too many protections from the existing fair and functional historic designation framework. To the numerous groups who took time off of work, printed and distributed signs, and mobilized their communities -- thank you again.

After beginning the Committee on Rules hearing nearly 40 minutes late, it was announced that the bill was not going to be presented. Although it was disappointing that we could not share our panel testimony and support public comments, we are glad to that Councilman Squilla could see the widespread city opposition and will return to the drawing board -- hopefully with a few more preservation stakeholders at the table. In his remarks he mischaracterized the bill as containing recommendations from the 2017-19 Historic Preservation Task Force. To be completely clear: NO language in the bill is drawn from those years of meetings and analysis.

The Stop Demolishing Philly Coalition considers this a win. We will continue to remain opposed to this bill if it retains the dangerous provisions that incentivize improper use of permitting channels, designation rescission, and vague language that considers "material commitments," and "established public policy" prior to a designation decision. That is not the way to do preservation right -- what we need to see implemented in this city are the best practices cited in the 2019 Historic Preservation Task Force report, such as flexible historic districts, financial incentives for historic property owners, increased archaeological monitoring, demolition delay, and citywide survey.

In the meantime, please continue to sign and share the Stop Demolishing Philly coalition petition, engage with your Councilmembers, and follow @repointphl on social media for all the latest updates.

With gratitude,

Stop Demolishing Philly Coalition

American Society of Landscape Architects, Pennsylvania-Delaware Chapter • Association for Preservation Technology/Delaware Valley Chapter •  Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition • Cathedral Park Community Development Corporation • Community Development Board of East Parkside • The Dox Thrash Project • Frankford & Kensington Development Council • Keeping Society of Philadelphia • Neighbors Across Market • Neighborhood Alliance for Washington Square West • Philadelphia Archaeological Forum • Preservation Pennsylvania • Powelton Village Civic Association • RePoint Philadelphia • SoLo/Germantown Civic Association • University City Historical Society