The 1950s was a period of heavy demolition within center city Philadelphia, making way for Independence Mall. To bring an open space to the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district, city planner Ed Bacon cleared out a mass of buildings that many considered eyesores because of their contrast to the historic nature of the area. When the bulldozing finally stopped in 1959, only the Free Quaker Meetinghouse remained. The building was restored as part of the project.
At the same time, Ed Bacon had his bulldozing sights set on South Street as well. A proposed Crosstown Expressway connecting the Schuylkill Expressway and I-95 would have required the demolition of many buildings along South St and Bainbridge St. While we know this proposed project never made if off the planning board, the value of the property plunged dramatically and this newly cheap property attracted artists and counterculture-types.
Black Bottom was a predominately African American neighborhood that became the victim of Urban Renewal in the 1950s. As wealthier residents moved westward towards the suburbs, this neighborhood was sent into a period of decline. By 1959, Penn, Drexel University, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and Presbyterian Hospital sought to create large-scale redevelopment in the area to eradicate blight and develop a "University City" neighborhood of residences and services for students, faculty and staff. Together, they created the West Philadelphia Corporation and acquired large numbers of properties for demolition. Portions of the area were eventually declared blighted by the city, and remaining properties were purchased by eminent domain. The number of displaced residents is estimated between 4,496 and 15,000 by various sources
Some noted preservation efforts in 1957 by the Elfreth’s Alley Association successfully blocked a plan to demolish part of Elfreth’s Alley for the construction of I-95.
Louis Kahn called city hall “The most disreputable and disrespected building in Philadelphia.” The early 1950s even had city hall itself on the chopping block, until it was discovered it would cost more to demolish than it had cost to build, so by default, it remained.
When viewing all of the buildings that were torn down during this phase of urban renewal, it is hard not to think of what ‘could have been’. But it is important to remember that this is a side effect of urban redevelopment. Removing these old buildings made way for the Independence Visitor Center, the Liberty Bell Center and the National Constitution Center.
Buildings can be torn down, building can be moved or saved and sometimes buildings are sparred for no apparent reason. This is the way urban renewal works.
Stay Tuned for more urban renewal.
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