WHEREAS,
Currently Family Court operations are in two separate locations, 34 S. 11th Street and 1801 Vine Street; and
WHEREAS,
A combined Family Court building will allow for a streamlined Family Court system, alleviating logistical issues for the courts and creating a more user friendly system for patrons; and
WHEREAS,
A location has been identified, currently a surface parking lot, at 15th and Arch Streets, that has a strong architectural plan proposal; and
WHEREAS,
This new location will be more accessible to Department of Human Services and Philadelphia Law Department professionals thereby creating even greater efficiencies for City employees; and
WHEREAS,
The current locations for Family Court have served their purpose for a number of years but are now antiquated and the new combined Family Court can provide a level of safety and technological advancement that the citizens of this City deserve; and
WHEREAS,
An ad hoc committee that contains numerous integral stakeholders has been formed through the Philadelphia Bar Association and is working diligently on this project now for a number of years to ensure its ultimate success; and
WHEREAS,
The most important piece to move this project forward at this juncture is funding; and
WHEREAS,
Having the Governor and the Mayor be out in front of this process would show the necessity of this project; and
WHEREAS,
Significant
Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RCAP) funding would go a long way to ensuring that Philadelphian's have a 21st Century Family Court and not an outdated one; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,
That we hereby call Calling on Governor Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter to support funding for a united Family Court Building.
End