"Letter to the Editor" of The Public Record, a newspaper distributed to elected officials in the City of Philadelphia, by Alan Krigman concerning Bill 020462 introduced in City Council by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. The Bill would vest the authority for designation of districts of the city as "historic" in City Council, based on recommendations by The Philadelphia Historical Commission. At Present, the Commission has sole designation authority, inconsistent with the principles of a representative democratic government.

To the Editor:

We all want a city in which we can take pride and live with self-esteem. A city that looks back with respect on its heritage and looks forward with hope for the future.

These were the ultimate reasons City Council originally passed the Philadelphia Preservation Ordinance, which is now embodied in Section 14-2007 of the Philadelphia Code. But experience has revealed that the Ordinance and now the Code are flawed in that they give total control over the designation of whole sections of the city to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. This is an appointed body that relies heavily on a hired staff, whose charter is to advocate and assist with as well as decree and enforce designation, and whose Rules and Regulations provide no guidance as to weighing the testimony of stakeholders affected by its decisions.

Were designation merely an honor encouraging or assisting residents to take pains in maintaining or restoring their property, or recognizing those who do, this would be appropriate. Such is not the case. Historic designation places serious procedural and economic encumbrances on property owners yet the costs are not accompanied by commensurate benefits. Further, it is viewed by some proponents as a tool for controlling others. It can have the harmful effect of displacement through gentrification, without addressing the infrastructure problems associated with older, high-density neighborhoods originally conceived in a social era quite different from anything existing today or even remotely conceivable for tomorrow.

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell introduced Bill 020462 at the beginning of the current City Council session. The Bill corrects the flaw in the existing ordinance by allowing the Historical Commission to recommend designation when apparently warranted by architectural criteria, while leaving final determination to the elected representatives of the people and the Mayor. This Bill deserves the support of all members of City Council truly concerned with the rights and welfare of their constituents such that historic designation contributes to rather than detracts from the quality of life for residents.

Sincerely yours,

Alan Krigman

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