PRESERVATION ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 2004 PRESERVATION AWARDS
[May 7, 2004] The Preservation Alliance was host to a record-breaking crowd of nearly 500 who attended the 11th Annual Preservation Awards Luncheon at the Bellevue on May 6th. The event celebrated the achievements of individuals and organizations (see list of award winners below) in historic preservation in the Philadelphia region. Among those in attendance were Philadelphia Mayor John Street - who spoke of his commitment to historic preservation - and Council President Anna Verna who accepted an award for the restoration of City Council Chambers.
Each year the Preservation Alliance recognizes accomplishments in historic preservation by individuals and organizations, and outstanding preservation projects. This year's awards (see below) demonstrate the extraordinary diversity of preservation resources in Philadelphia. The awards range from an elegant opera house to a professional boxing venue; from one of the great examples of college residential architecture to an historic building restored for public-housing residences. The award winners remind us that these resources exist in all sections of the city-this year¹s awards include projects in Center City, Germantown, North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia. And the awards also remind us of the importance of preservation in the greater Philadelphia region. One distinctive regional award is the restoration of the exterior of Erdman Hall at Bryn Mawr College, designed by noted Philadelphia architect Louis I. Kahn.
These projects indicate the importance of historic preservation to the economy of the city and region at a time when many of the city's historic resources are threatened by two differing economic influences. On the one hand, the strong economic climate in Center City Philadelphia and adjacent neighborhoods is leading developers to want to demolish historic buildings in districts to make way for new projects; on the other hand, the poor economic climate in many of the city's neighborhoods, coupled with past deterioration of properties, has led to efforts to demolish many historic resources that give those neighborhoods character and could contribute to their revitalization.
In spite of the problems they create, these are both wonderful challenges to have to face. They demonstrate the vitality of Philadelphia and a strong commitment to neighborhood revitalization. Historic preservation is not antithetical to either of these factors. Quite the contrary. Center City and the adjacent neighborhoods are desirable places to live because of the preservation efforts of those who have preceded us. By careful planning and a balanced view of preservation and new construction, this distinctive character of Center City can easily be maintained. By the same careful planning and strategic use of resources, preservation can contribute to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout the city. It¹s not a question of either/or; both are possible and together result in a richer environment that will continue to make Philadelphia a special place.
John Andrew Gallery
Executive Director
