We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) to issue a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the historic Germantown YWCA building at 5820 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144 before the end of 2021.   We are seeking to preserve, protect and restore this historically designated building which opened in 1917, and stands as a monument to racial integration, civil rights, women’s empowerment and the fight against ageism since the 1940’s.

In October of 2021, the PRA sent a letter to the developer KBK Enterprises (KBK) giving them 30 days to provide an update. We believe 6 years was more than enough time for KBK to complete the YWCA project, let alone start it. 

Our signatures represent a vote of “NO Confidence” in KBK.

Since the Germantown YWCA filed for bankruptcy over 15 years ago, the Building has deteriorated from fire and neglect. During this period, viable development proposals were rejected by the PRA, who twice promised the Building to developers who failed to deliver! 

Therefore, we are asking the PRA, as the owner, to issue a new RFP by the end of 2021. The goal is to attract an experienced developer, capable of restoring this publicly-owned building in a timely manner through a community driven process. 

Restoration of the YWCA Building can meet important needs in Germantown and greatly contribute to the revitalization of the heart of our community. 

Please join with your neighbors who have launched Friends for the Restoration of the Germantown YWCA Building* by signing and circulating this petition! 

Irv Acklesberg, Oscar Beisert, Patricia A. Burks, Garlen Capita, Julie Stapleton Carroll, Carl Cheeseman, Felicia Coward, Joe Gray, Ann Marie Doley, Emaleigh Doley, Donna Jean Reviere Dorman, Friends of Vernon Park, Deborah Gary, Yvonne B. Haskins, Esq, Gary Hines, Jay Jackson, Leslie Jackson, Bernard M. Jordan Lambert, Bruce A. McCall Jr., Don Maedche, Angela Miles, Sue Patterson, Suzanne Ponsen, Robert A. Seeley, Founder, Walk Germantown, Jill Saull, Clarissa Shanahan, Lynda White and YOU!

*Visit our Facebook page at: https://fb.me/gtownfuture215

Photo Credit: Rasheed Zaire Ajamu