May/June 2008 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association SOCIETY HILL Reporter www.societyhillcivic.org Casinos, Condos, Controversy: Are We at a Crossroads? ere we are in the 21st century, living located next to factories and commercial enter- H in a thriving modern community among prises) were thoroughly renovated and returned cherished relics of the 18th century. Society Hill to their original purpose as private homes — — one of America’s most historical residential in the process, revealing their intrinsic beauty. neighborhoods — draws visitors from across Over these past 60 years or so, Society Hill has the nation and around the world. These guests V O T E ! been faced with a variety of different challenges, appreciate the architecture of our buildings and but only one that would have had serious conse- See pages 11-15 the harmony of our streets and parks. But for us, quences. This occurred in early 1965 when the this is home: where our kids go to school, where for information Interstate highway (I-95) was scheduled for con- our diverse population attends religious services about SHCA’s struction — which would have effectively sepa- of all kinds, and where some of us even earn our important rated our neighborhood from the Delaware River daily bread. The remarkable success of Society and the ambitious but still unresolved develop- General Hill, with its inspirational mix of old and new ment for Penn’s Landing. After seven years of Membership (whether people or places), is a model for opposition by local activists, wisdom prevailed: Meeting on other neighborhoods across the country. I-95 was constructed below street level and May 28, 2008. Society Hill’s rebirth was no accident. It required covered — so that pedestrians would not be the vision of talented city planners and the passion denied direct access to the waterfront. of historic preservationists, as well as the enlight- Since that time, our civic association has ened but stubborn determination of a handful of worked effectively on many fronts to protect young risk-takers who, more than 50 years ago, or improve the quality of life we enjoy. However, invested and worked to create the community we these days Society Hill is once again endangered know and love today. For example, 200-year old by a questionable construction proposal whereby Colonial townhouses then functioning as multi- two gambling facilities — Foxwoods and Sugar- family dwellings or boarding houses (and often House — would be built along the waterfront on Columbus Boulevard, with catastrophic results WED. MARK YOUR CALENDAR for our residential neighborhood and other near- May by communities. Our civic association, which Society Hill Civic Association Meetings represents all residents and local businesses, Wednesday, May 28, 2008 has coalesced in its unequivocal opposition to this casino threat. We’re pleased to report that this 28 opposition is fully supported by recently elected Zubrow Auditorium, Pennsylvania Hospital Mayor Michael Nutter. Since planning and zoning 800 Spruce Street are important concerns for his administration, 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting the Mayor has made it clear that any and all All SHCA members are welcome. legal options will be explored to halt what would result in an economic and social catastrophe for 7:00 p.m. Meet & Greet Your Neighbors our neighborhood and for the city as a whole. 7:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting All neighborhood residents are invited to attend. Thus, we will collectively dig in our heels and stay the course, as we did during the I-95 conflict • Presentation by Nicky Uy of the Food Trust — even if it takes seven years to prevent the • Annual Election of SHCA Board of Directors arrival of these casinos so close to our doorsteps. SHCA members are encouraged to vote. We remain optimistic that our voices will be • Brief Presentation about Penn’s Village heard and that democracy will ultimately prevail. See page 18. continued on page 6 PAGE 2 SOCIETY HILL Reporter SOCIETY HILL Reporter URBAN GARDEN DESIGNER Managing Editor Graphic Design Bernice T. Hamel Judy Lamirand [email protected] Co-Editors—May/June 2008 Philadelphia Bernice Hamel Press Release Liaison Gardens.com Sandra Rothman Sandra Rothman 315-C S. 2nd Street Editorial Board 215 951 9193 Philadelphia, PA 19106 Marilyn Appel Lenore Hardy email: [email protected] Toni Ann Flanigan Lorna Katz Lawson tel: 267-671-0554 Carole Le Faivre-Rochester Advertising Manager Rosanne Loesch Matthew DeJulio Ruth Sachs [email protected] Ruth Smith Society Hill Columnists Civic Association Marilyn Appel P.O. Box 63503 Jane Biberman Philadelphia, PA 19147 Richard de Wyngaert tel: 215-629-1288 Martha Levine fax: 215-629-9914 Steven Weixler Keri White Submission Deadlines David Woods July/August issue Advertising: June 1 Contributors Editorial: June 10 Paul Boni Kelly Nelson Website Tania Rorke www.societyhillcivic.org Submissions We want to hear from you. Our goal is to print news of interest to Society Hillers — happenings in and around our community for residents, business people and professionals. Direct your editorial submissions and/or queries to Bernice Hamel via fax at 215-925-0877 or email [email protected]. To publicize an event, submit all press releases directly to Sandy Rothman. (See contact information above.) Materials must be submitted in writing — via mail, email, or fax — and must include the name of a contact person. Edited submissions will be considered for publication if the subject matter is community-related and if space allows. Otherwise, upcoming events of interest may be listed in the Community Calendar. Letters to the Editors will be considered for publica- tion only if signed and the writer provides contact information. NOTE Franklin Light Poles Soon to be Painted During the month of May, all the poles of Society Hill’s unique Franklin Lights will be painted on a block-to-block basis. Look for fliers alerting you with the exact date for your block. We expect no disruptions, but we ask you not to touch the wet paint. Any questions? Contact Martha Levine, Project Chair, at [email protected]. MAY / JUNE 2008 PAGE 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE RICHARD DE WYNGAERT “By doubting we all come at truth.” –Marcus Tullius Cicero nce again, I find myself struggling to promised. There is still another group, the “near Odetermine the breadth of our community’s neighbors” (those most immediately impacted by perspectives. Believe me when I tell you that virtue of contiguous property) who desperately this is a challenging endeavor. want something other than a hole in the ground and who, for the most part, are very supportive Intellectually, I understand that perspective is of this development. Finally, there are some peo- neither right nor wrong: it simply is. However, ple who, consistent with their response to many if any perspective is to be really understood, it issues, will accept whatever ultimately happens. must be considered in terms of the system from Regardless of which I may support, I can appre- which it stems. What are its organizing principles? ciate all positions. No view is without merit. This is not easily established. I have a difficult enough time truly understanding the roots of my What gets lost, or occasionally forgotten, in own perspective, let alone determining the core the course of heated debate, is that we all love ingredients of others’ perspectives. Nevertheless, Society Hill. Neither side can claim greater love if we are to engage in meaningful dialogue — of country. Presumably, we all act in ways that Richard de Wyngaert, from which common ground may emerge — we think will benefit Society Hill. President we must all try harder to at least appreciate Where we part, I believe, is in identifying the perspectives that may be in conflict with our own. Among us there In conflict, there is growth. But in this case, course that we think will most effectively and there must also be respect. comprehensively contribute to Society Hill’s exists more than future vitality. one vision for In responding to the proposal for Stamper Society Hill. Square (aka: NewMarket) by Bridgeman Unlike other recent challenges with which Development — designed by Barry Eiswerth, we’ve been faced, the current Stamper Square a principal in the architectural firm H2L2 — issue more evenly divides our community. There our community has demonstrated a determined are no black and white hats being worn by the vigilance that clearly underscores our spirit. combatants. All views are legitimate. All warrant We should all be proud of the commitment and consideration. It is therefore imperative that we, passion for Society Hill that has been expressed as a community, continue to try and understand over the past few months. However, the vigilance each other. We must remain positive and not that so clearly underscores our spirit just as allow discussion of the issue to degenerate into clearly exacerbates our divisions. a hostile exchange, often fueled by suspicion. Obviously, among us there exists more than We must acknowledge our different opinions one vision for Society Hill. Some residents sup- and try to understand the belief systems, both port the density, the additional affluence and the individual and collective, that shape them. This is commercial vitality which the addition of a five- not easy. But to each other and to our community star Starwood’s Hotel and condominium complex we owe a thorough examination of the spectrum would likely yield. Other residents of Society Hill of beliefs to which we subscribe and, as best we feel the current proposal is too large and out of can, determine whether they are based in reality, scale with the rest of Society Hill. They feel the or whether they are burdened with misconcep- historical integrity of Society Hill would be com- tions.