Current Advocacy Issues
Dilworth House Update
The Dilworth house is the home of former Mayor
Richardson Dilworth and his wife, located at 223-225 South 6th Street
across from Washington Square. Since 2005, John and Mary Turchi, the
current owners of the Dilworth House, have been seeking permission to
demolish or substantially alter the property in order to build a
condominium project designed by Venturi Scott Brown & Associates.
The Preservation Alliance, the Society Hill Civic Association and
condominium associations adjacent to the site have opposed demolition or
alteration of the property, which is listed as significant in the
Society Hill Historic District.
On May 19, 2010, Common Pleas Court Judge Idee C. Fox sustained the decision of the Board of L&I Review that reversed the Historical Commission's approval of demolition of the rear portion of the Dilworth House. This ensures, for the moment at least, that the Dilworth House will remain intact as it was when built and lived in by former Mayor Richardson Dilworth and his wife, Ann.
The Turchis, supported by the City, argued that the Board of L&I Review had acted improperly by taking full testimony on the case rather than limiting its review to a procedural review of the Historical Commission’s actions. The Court found that the City Charter gives the Board of L&I Review the authority to fully review any appeal of an Historical Commission decision – that is, in legal language, to hear a case de novo, hearing all the facts by all parties. Under those circumstances, the Court found that the L&I Board had conducted a full and exhaustive review and had the authority to reverse the Historical Commission’s decisions.
“This is an important decision on several counts,” said John Andrew Gallery, executive director of the Preservation Alliance. “First, it continues to protect the integrity of the Dilworth House, a significant property in the Society Hill Historic District. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, it affirms that authority of the L&I Review Board to hold a full hearing on appeals from the Historical Commission and sustains the role of the Board as defined in the City Charter. This is important to all parties who come before the L&I Board on appeals.”
Click here to read Judge Idee C. Fox's decision
Click here to view the Dilworth House on our 2004 Endangered Properties List
Click here for Plan Philly's coverage of the 2008 L&I Review Board decision
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