In October, Court of Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox ruled that the Board of L&I Review was wrong to overturn the Historical Commission’s decision to grant the owners of the Church of the Assumption a permit to demolish the historic structure based on financial hardship.
In what is eerily reminiscent of the Dec. 23, 2007 demolition of the Romaldo Giurgola inspired PLICO buildings on North Broad Street, HiddenCity’s Christopher Mote now reports that a permit for demolition has been pulled in light of the judge’s decision to restablish the financial hardship scenario. The demolition notice posted on the church front door said the razing of the structure will begin on or after Dec. 11. Over the summer, Siloam sold the land, along with the Church, a rectory, convent, and school to developer John Wei for more than a million dollars.Wei could not be reached for comment, but told PlanPhilly at the time of his purchase of the church property that he had “no idea yet” what he would do with the plot, but that he wanted to make the neighborhood happy.