On December 24th, DAG members received a message explaining the circumstances that led to the State’s Department of General Services ordering the demolition of the Philadelphia Life Insurance Company Buildings (PLICO) – two historic structures that were to be saved under an agreement between the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Click here to read the message in full.
A temporary injunction was issued by Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court halting demolition until a hearing, scheduled for January 8. If you care about saving these buildings and care that the State honor agreements made with its own agency charged with historic preservation oversight, then let those who were party to the demolition order know what the ‘court of public opinion’ thinks.
Do it today!
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From: <you@example.com>
To: gs-secretary@state.pa.us, loreilly@state.pa.us, governor@state.pa.us, almezz@paconvention.com
Subject: RESTORE PHILADELPHIA LIFE!
Dear Secretary Creedon,
I was appalled to learn that the Department of General Services ordered the demolition of the PLICO buildings contrary to an agreement between the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. That the order was executed on the Saturday before Christmas, with little notice, raises serious questions about the State's motives.
The agreement to preserve these buildings was a good decision for Philadelphia, one that honors the State's earlier commitment to preserve and incorporate the Reading Terminal into the original Convention Center. The demolition of the PLICO buildings is not necessary, does damage to the character of Broad Street and ultimately undermines the credibility of State agencies.
It is not too late to right this wrong. I urge you to restore the PLICO annex and preserve both PLICO buildings as was originally intended.
Your Name
Your Street Address
Yousville, YO 12345
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
