Title
Authorizing the City Council Committee on Property and Public Works to conduct hearings on the current status, existing plans and timeline for the redesign of underutilized public spaces in Center City Philadelphia, including but not limited to: the apron surrounding City Hall, Thomas Paine Plaza, the courtyard of City Hall and the ground floor of City Hall.
Body
WHEREAS, In recent decades, thriving cities around the world have rededicated themselves to public spaces that are well-designed, provide year round enjoyment for visitors and often highlight a city's most valuable architectural achievements; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Hall is the City's crowning architectural achievement and is ranked twenty-first on the American Institute of Architect's list of "America's Favorite Architecture." It is listed directly behind the Brooklyn Bridge and ahead of other iconic structures such as the Library of Congress, Monticello, Yankee Stadium and the formerly-named Sears Tower; and
WHEREAS, The courtyard, apron, and ground floor of City Hall and the adjacent Thomas Paine Plaza not only detract from the beauty of City Hall's exterior, they remain woefully underutilized public spaces that provide little value despite being some of the City's most economically valuable publicly-owned property; and
WHEREAS, While Philadelphians have expressed frustration with public improvement and beautification projects that divert funds away from critical issues facing the City, there are countless examples of solutions to dramatically improve and redesign these spaces at little cost to the taxpayer; and
WHEREAS, It is the hope of Council that plans for the renovation or redesign of these public spaces currently exist or are in development. If no plan exists, Council requests that the Mayor and the Commissioner of Public Property convene a group to expeditiously draft a timeline and establish a process for the redesign and renovation of: the City Hall apron, the...
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