The City of Philadelphia is planning the construction of a new Family Court facility at 15th and Arch Streets.  If and when this new building is constructed, the court’s move will leave its current Family Court building vacant.  Designed by John T. Windrim and built by the New Deal-era Public Works Administration in 1938-41, this grand neoclassical edifice is among Philadelphia’s most significant public buildings.  Designed as a companion to the Free Library of Philadelphia (Horace Trumbauer, 1917-27), the pair stand in near-perfect symmetry on the north side of Logan Circle.  Inside, its thirty-seven WPA murals are among the city's greatest collections of public art.

Although owned by the City of Philadelphia, the current Nutter administration has decided to sell or lease the building to a private developer.  The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation issued an RFP in June to solicit proposals from developers.  This process is extremely unusual for a number of reasons:

Why is this being done now?  The Nutter administration says it has to select a developer before Governor Rendell leaves office, despite the fact that plans for the new Family Court facility are mired in controversy and uncertainty.  They will not explain why this timing is necessary, and are proceeding with little regard for the historic character of Logan Square, the integrity of the building's interiors, or the established precedents for disposing of significant public property.

The Preservation Alliance has identified five principles for a better future for the Family Court building, which you can read by clicking here.  By endorsing these principles, you will become a Friend of Family Court and your name will be added to a list of supporters we are presenting to Mayor Nutter.  Even if you already signed our earlier petition, your participation now is crucial.  Numbers count, and we need your endorsement to show that Philadelphians care about their civic inheritance.  And if you are not already a member of the Preservation Alliance, please consider joining.  Your membership dues will help us financially in our campaign for Family Court.  If you are already a member, an additional donation to our advocacy fund can further the impact of this campaign.