North Philadelphia Residents Oppose Monastery Demolition
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Some North Philadelphia neighbors say they're sad about a demolition project on their block.
The demolition involves a 100-year-old monastery at 20th and Girard and many neighbors say they can hardly bear the sight of the crews who have been working to tear it down, "Because it's kind of like a little piece of history in our neighborhood," said one resident.
They say a community meeting couldn't stop the process.
"It seemed to me on a whole that the community would rather have it restored to its original glory than have it turned into something new."
"I think they should've refurbished it, redone it instead of tearing it down and probably building more condos."
But the city said the building was crumbling and L&I gave the go-ahead on August 8th to a private developer to demolish it. This neighbor stopped by to take one last look at the old monastery.
"Something so historic is not going to be here anymore and isn't that one of the treasures of our city to have these beautiful old buildings?"
Reported by Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio
