Title
Honoring and commemorating the life and legacy of revered Philadelphian, professor, and architect, Emanuel Kelly.
Body
WHEREAS, Renowned architect and Temple University Professor, Emanuel Kelly, passed away on January 12, 2024, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Kelly was widely recognized as an expert in city planning, urban design, and neighborhood revitalization and was involved in numerous notable projects including the refurbishment of courthouses in City Hall, and the creation of the new West Philadelphia High School, the Criminal Justice Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the John Coltrane museum, and the Big Cat Falls at the Philadelphia Zoo; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Kelly teamed up with Vincent Maiello to found Kelly Maiello Architects, one of the City's first Black-owned architectural firms, which went on to design many cultural landmarks in Philadelphia, including the President's House at Independence Historical Park, the Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion, the Kingsessing Recreation Center renovation and still maintains a robust roster of clients; and
WHEREAS, Among his many awards and accolades, Kelly had his work recognized by the Beyond the Built Environment advocacy group. He also received the Minority Enterprise Development Committee's 2002 Pioneer Award, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's 2010 Visionary in Historic Preservation Award, and the 2020 Medal of Distinction from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects; and
WHEREAS, Always a proponent of thoughtful design and development, Kelly was known to champion projects that preserved the historical context of the surrounding neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, With a goal of promoting social equity through design, Kelly cofounded the Community Design Collaborative in 1991, was active with the Design Advocacy Group and the National Organization of Minority Architects, and in 1993 became the first Black president of the Philadelphia chapter of th...
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