Around the same time that Rotwitt and court officials were pushing for 15th and Arch, another developer, Stanley Taraila, was trying to get the court to look at another site, the old Provident Mutual Life Insurance building at 46th and Market, an imposing 1920s pile located on a green campus - and conveniently served by a Market-Frankford El stop.
Taraila had DPK&A Architects draw up a concept design. It suggests that Family Court could get almost twice the space for half the cost.
The DPK&A design takes advantage of the stately Provident building and its generous site to create a courthouse that feels like a true house of justice. Instead of cramming everything into a generic office slab, a completely new courthouse wing would be attached to the back of the old office building.
The courtroom layout developed by DPK&A is remarkably similar to the one planned for 15th and Arch, and would also be faced in glass to allow plenty of light. All the support agencies would have offices in the Provident building.
Unlike the Center City design, this one would have ample space for a gracious lobby and escalators, which can move large numbers of people faster than elevators. There would be separate elevators for judges, the public, and prisoners, as required. Children forced to endure long days in court could let off steam running around the green campus.
Since the city now owns the Provident, the project might cost less than Taraila proposed. The best way to find out is to seek bids from developers. Taraila had estimated that the building could be leased to Family Court for $6 million a year. We know that debt service on the $200 million Center City courthouse will run over $14 million annually for 20 years.
Of course, the muckety-mucks at Family Court don't like the 46th Street location. They say it's inconvenient for lawyers in Center City offices. It's a bad neighborhood, they insist.
I beg to differ, your honors.
Ten minutes on the El from City Hall and you're there. If you insisted on driving, you would find existing parking for a thousand cars, which eliminates the need to build a $35 million garage for the benefit of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Apparently, Gov. Rendell loved the site when he first heard about it because it would give the rebounding West Philadelphia neighborhood a boost, according to policy adviser Donna Cooper. But "the court rejected it," she said. Taraila said he could never get Castille's ear.
Recent events suggest it's time for Family Court to start listening.
Contact architecture critic Inga Saffron at 215-854-2213 or isaffron@phillynews.com.
