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Historical Commission Defers Action On Two Jeweler's Row Buildings

by Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Historical Commission has 'tabled' a proposal to list two Jeweler's Row buildings on the city's Register of Historic Places, putting them at risk of being demolished.

The developer and nearby retailers want them to be torn down to make way for a condo tower at 7th and Sansom Streets, but preservationists still hope to prevail.

The Commission deferred action, saying it will monitor the situation over the next 90 days, on listing the properties.

City lawyers advised the Commission it had no jurisdiction because preservationists sought the historic designation after the application for a demolition permit.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a demolition permit a day before the Commission hearing, giving Toll Brothers six months to begin tearing down a stretch of five properties on Sansom Street.

Executive Director Paul Steinke of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia says they will seek a court injunction if they see any hint of demolition work.

"That would force us to consider accelerating whatever legal remedies we think that we have at our disposal," said Steinke.

Nearly all of the 30 merchants on the block support the 16-story, 80-unit project.

Among them, Jeffrey Barsky, who says the block has changed and the residential tower will help revitalize the neighborhood.

"It's not what it was. We want it to be what it can be," said Barsky.

His family has been in the diamond and jewelry business for 112 years on Sansom Street.

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