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Authoring the Special Investigating Committee on Demolition Practices to conduct public hearings to review the execution, progress and efficacy of demolition policy reforms enacted as a result of the tragic collapse of buildings at 22nd and Market Streets in Philadelphia, which resulted in catastrophic injury and loss of lives on this day, June 5th, one year ago.
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WHEREAS, On June 5, 2013, a four-story building that was being demolished at 22nd and Market Streets collapsed onto an adjoining one-story building housing a Salvation Army Thrift Shop during normal business hours, tragically killing six individuals and injuring 14 others; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 130546, quickly creating the Special Investigating Committee on Demolition Practices (SIC) to investigate the policies and demolition oversight procedures that lead to the collapse of a four-story wall onto an adjacent one-story building; and
WHEREAS, In June-August 2013, SIC conducted a series of six public hearings to investigate problems and to identify potential solutions related to demolition policies, technical procedures, and the oversight of demolition projects to improve overall public safety for inherently dangerous demolition projects; and
WHEREAS, In September 2013, SIC released a Report on City Demolition Practices and Procedures summarizing its findings regarding past and present demolition practices based on extensive document review and on public hearing testimony and briefings provided by City department leaders, staff, and outside experts and practitioners and then proposed more than 70 comprehensive policy changes and reforms to demolition practices; and
WHEREAS, In October 2013, SIC introduced legislation to implement the recommendations and comprehensive demolition policy reforms described in the Report on City Demolition Practices and Procedures; and
WHEREAS, Since the collapse on June 5, 2013, more than 500 imminently dangerous buildings have been demolished; numerous policy and regulatory changes have been enacted; significant increases have been made to the L&I operational budget; and in addition, there have been more building collapses; and
WHEREAS, A comprehensive review of the execution, progress and efficacy of demolition policy reforms enacted and implemented as a result of the tragic collapse of the buildings at 22nd and Market Streets is a necessary step to assure that demolition projects are completed in the safest manner possible in order to promote over all public safety; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Special Investigating Committee on Demolition Practices to conduct public hearings to review the execution, progress and efficacy of demolition policy reforms enacted in Philadelphia as a result of the tragic collapse of the buildings at 22nd and Market Streets on June 5, 2013.
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