November Advocacy Update

Reimagining Market East

The City has launched the Reimagining Market East planning initiative, an effort that promises to shape one of Philadelphia’s most historic commercial corridors for generations. While we welcome the long-overdue focus on this area, we are opposed to the demolition planned on East Market Street. Losing significant structures, like the Robinson Building, before a vision is even formed undermines the very purpose of planning and limits the possibilities for a vibrant, resilient future.

As part of this process, Mayor Parker has convened a 62-member advisory group to help guide the City’s work. Our Executive Director, Paul Steinke, has been appointed to the group and is bringing a strong preservation perspective to the table. But meaningful preservation outcomes will only be possible if Philadelphians make clear that these values matter.

The City is currently collecting public input. If you believe Market East should move forward with preservation and adaptive reuse, not demolition, please take a moment to share your thoughts.

Roundhouse Symposium Recording Now Available 

Our Roundhouse Reimagined symposium with docomomo-PHL brought together six visionary design teams to present bold, preservation-minded concepts for reusing and revitalizing Philadelphia’s Roundhouse

If you missed the live event, the full recording, design team presentations, and photo highlights are now available online.

The School District of Philadelphia has announced that its timeline for decisions on the school facilities planning process has been delayed, with recommendations now expected in 2026. According to recent reporting, the District is undertaking additional analysis and stakeholder engagement before determining which buildings may be renovated, consolidated, or closed.

We continue to advocate that preservation and rehabilitation should be at the center of the District’s strategy. Renovation often costs less than new construction, avoids the waste of demolition, and allows these buildings to remain active community assets. Successful examples, such as the adaptive reuse of Bok in South Philadelphia, demonstrate how historic schools can be reimagined.

The District has just released a public survey to collect feedback on its facilities planning process. This is a critical moment for Philadelphians to clearly express support for preservation and, where appropriate, adaptive reuse of our historic school buildings. Strong public input will be essential as the District moves toward long-term decisions next year.

Join the Preservation Alliance and PlaceEconomics on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 PM, for a presentation and discussion of Growing Through Preservation: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia. Hosted by the Design Advocacy Group, this program will highlight our new report that quantifies how preservation strengthens the city’s economy, housing, and community vitality.

The study reveals that rehabilitation of historic buildings has generated more than $4 billion in investment, created 2,500 jobs annually, and supported diverse, affordable neighborhoods across Philadelphia. The presentation will share key findings from the report and explore their implications for urban design, development, and policy.

With DesignPhiladelphia leaving its Arch Street location, DAG is pleased to host this event at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square.​

Join the National Preservation Lawyers Network 

Are you a lawyer working in the field of preservation? If so, consider joining the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Preservation Lawyers Network. This national network enables and empowers interested lawyers to provide representation to the American people in order to protect, preserve, and reuse the historic places in their communities. The Network is committed to promoting education within the preservation law community through the sharing of information, and by connecting preservation attorneys to each other, to the National Trust, and to the public.

Not a lawyer? Help spread the word and stay tuned for more details about this resource early next year.