October Advocacy Update

Provident Trust Company Building Designated

At the October Historical Commission meeting, the Provident Trust Company Building at 1628-36 Chestnut Street was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.

Nominated for designation by the Preservation Alliance, the building was designed by the renowned firm Rankin & Kellogg, with Carl Ziegler as consulting architect. This 12-story structure was constructed between 1927 and 1928, with 2 two-story additions built in 1946 and 1987.

Its design draws direct inspiration from Christ Church, one of the city’s most significant Colonial-era landmarks, and represents a significant example of Georgian Revival applied to a high-rise. The building is also important as the second home of a major Philadelphia financial institution.

Read the Nomination

Changes in Dept. of Planning and Development

Philadelphia is seeing significant leadership transitions within the City's Department of Planning and Development. Last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker appointed Jessie Lawrence as the new permanent Director of the Department of Planning and Development. Lawrence, who has a long track record with the city, will oversee key institutions, including the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Commission, and the Historical Commission. The announcement came the day after Aren Platt, Chief Deputy Mayor for Planning and Strategic Initiatives, resigned.

Another notable change is the recent leadership transition at the Historical Commission. Architect Bob Thomas, who served as the Chair for two four-year terms, stepped down at the October meeting. The commission approved his replacement, Zachary Frankel, an affordable housing real estate developer who joined the Commission in September. The Preservation Alliance looks forward to collaborating with the new leadership to advance our preservation priorities.

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Roundhouse Nomination Continued Again

Another surprise was in store at the October Historical Commission meeting when the consideration of the nomination of 708-34 Race Street, the former Philadelphia Police Headquarters, was continued for one month.

This is the fourth continuance requested by the City as the property owner. The Preservation Alliance and Docomomo Greater Philadelphia's nomination was submitted in December 2022 and reviewed by the Committee on Historic Designation in September 2023.

We hope the Commission will vote to add the Roundhouse to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places next month.

If you support adding this property to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, please email the Historical Commission to express your support!

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Next Steps in Airy Street Prison Redevelopment

Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Planning Commission hosted an open house on the Airy Street Prison Redevelopment, where attendees could view informational posters, hear about the next steps in the project, and speak with county staff.

Much of the information displayed resulted from the report of an online survey the Commission issued over the summer to gauge public sentiment on the potential preservation and reuse of the Airy Street Prison.

Most respondents supported preserving the Airy Street Prison, with only 17% feeling the prison should be demolished. Participants also supported a wide range of potential uses, such as restaurants, performing arts venues, and educational institutions, among many others.

The county-commissioned Structural Assessment Study of the prison is also underway and will be completed this fall. Its findings will be included in a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), which is expected to be released in November, offering guidance for future development. The Preservation Alliance applauds the work of the Montgomery County Planning Commission to study the adaptive reuse options for this highly important site in Norristown.

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