Opportunities Industrialization Center, 1901 West Oxford Street, Philadelphia; Photo: Pete Woodall
Advocacy is both an area of concentration and a component of all of the Alliance’s work.
Advocacy programs and services include the following:
- Review and comment on proposals for alteration or demolition of historic properties in Philadelphia through regular monitoring of the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
- Appeals, when appropriate, of decisions by the Philadelphia Historical Commission or other public agencies, and support of appeals filed by community organizations in Philadelphia and adjacent counties.
- Participation in “Section 106” reviews of federally-funded projects to ensure the protection of historic resources.
- Advocacy on such public policy issues as creation of new state tax incentives for historic preservation, creation of conservation districts in Philadelphia, and review of proposed changes to the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance.
- Creation of on-line petitions and letter writing or email campaigns on critical local and state preservation issues.
- Advice to private developers, community organizations, and individuals on the laws and procedures of historic preservation including designation of historic properties, creation of historic districts, financial resources for preservation projects, and procedures for alterations or demolition of historic properties.
- Nominations of historic properties to the Philadelphia and National Registers of Historic Places.
Support our Advocacy efforts by donating to the Advocacy & Legal Defense Fund.
In The News
September Advocacy Update: Washington Square West Designated
On Friday, September 13, the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to add the Washington Square West Historic District to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places! The nomination, co-sponsored by the Preservation Alliance and the Washington Square West Civic Association, highlights how the district illustrates the development of Philadelphia’s residential and commercial core over more than two centuries.
A Call to Support Chinatown’s Cultural Identity
In Memoriam: Aaron Wunsch
Historic Street Projects Advance
Poquessing Creek Trail of History Funded
Read Full Advocacy Update
October To-Do List
Explore preservation events around Philadelphia with our monthly To-Do List!
To-Do List
Support for Chinatown's Cultural Identity
The Preservation Alliance supports the preservation of Chinatown’s built environment, cultural identity and neighborhood vitality. It is time for public sector decision-makers and policymakers to be proactive in working with the Chinatown community to find the right mix of tools, policies, and strategies that will protect not only historic buildings but also the people and intangible heritage qualities that make Chinatown special. We believe that a menu of regulatory tools and targeted incentive programs are key to protecting and preserving its vitality and cultural identity, arena or no arena, well into the future.
Read Full Statement