"It may turn out that it's the right building at the right site," Stalberg said. "But the public will never trust this without a complete understanding of how these decisions were made and the funds were spent."
The call to freeze the project drew immediate protests from Rendell, Castille, and Philadelphia courts advocates, who said it would be wrong to risk losing the funding.
Carol Tracy, director of Philadelphia's Women's Law Project, said there was a desperate need for a new courthouse to replace two outdated, dingy, and sometimes dangerous Family Court buildings at 34 S. 11th St. and 1801 Vine St. Family Court handles sensitive cases like divorces, support hearings, adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
"I think an investigation can provide the remedy," Tracy said. "The families who need this shouldn't be held hostage."
After years of failed efforts by courts officials and advocates such as Tracy, Castille and state and city officials this spring were close to closing on a no-bid deal with developer Donald Pulver.
But the arrangement blew up after The Inquirer reported that lawyer Jeffrey B. Rotwitt, Castille's adviser, was also getting money as Pulver's codeveloper. Rotwitt was fired by his law firm, Pulver was booted from the deal, and the FBI began a criminal investigation. Pulver and the Philadelphia Parking Authority have filed competing court actions over control of the 15th and Arch site.
Rendell announced that he would release the $200 million anyway, and instructed the state Division of General Services to take over. But the project is now stalled while lawyers for Pulver and others argue over such issues as ownership of the architectural plans that Castille purchased with nearly $6 million in court funds.
