Philadelphia – An event this Saturday at the now-vacant Roundhouse will help determine the building’s future while acknowledging its past. The public is invited to attend. This in-person event is part of Framing the Future of the Roundhouse, an engagement project for the building.
The event will be held on the building’s front steps (750 Race Street) on Saturday, October 15th from 5 to 8 PM. This drop-in style event will feature food and live music, as well as hands-on art activities and poetry performances.
Amber Art and Design and Connect the Dots organized the event. They are co-leads on the project team hired to engage the public about the building’s upcoming sale.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to activate the front plaza. This art-centered event makes a place for people to reflect on the history of the site,” said Linda Fernandez, co-founder of Amber Art and Design. “It’s also a place where we can all share ideas to help envision the future.”
“Public feedback is important to this project,” said Ian Litwin, a city planner with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. “We are excited about the new ways we are gathering that feedback. This is beyond surveys and meetings.”
Throughout the event, there will be opportunities to share stories and ideas related to the site.The project team will also share back what they have learned so far through a projection onto the building.
The public engagement consultant team gathers feedback through art, interviews, focus groups, and public events. They also use traditional means like surveys and meetings. Information about ways to get involved and find upcoming events are on roundhousefutures.com.
Located in Center City, the building was the headquarters of the Philadelphia Police Department for nearly 60 years. The Police Department moved out of the building this summer. The City will begin the process to sell the building in 2023. The feedback gathered at events like this will inform the sale.
Event Details
Where: Courtyard of the Police Administration Building (a.k.a. the Roundhouse) at 750 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: Saturday, October 15, 5-8 PM (Rain date: Saturday, October 22)
Cost: Free
Accessibility: This program takes place on an outdoor plaza adjacent to the sidewalk. Program is visible and audible from the sidewalk. Program takes place on plaza areas elevated by two sets of six steps. No restrooms. Event is outdoors with limited shelter.
Refreshments available.
About the Philadelphia City Planning Commission
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) is a bridge between the public and the government. PCPC guides investment and growth in Philadelphia with the goal of creating neighborhoods that are well-connected, affordable, and desirable places to live and work. The Commission’s work outlined in the City Charter includes overseeing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances and amendments, the Capital Program and Budget, and streets and land subdivisions. The Commissioners and staff make recommendations to City Council related to zoning and development legislation. The Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that focuses on land-based issues. Community groups, City Council members, and developers can use the plan as a road map for development in their areas.