Independence Mall security plan deferred

Aug, 08, 2006
Stephan Salisbury, Inquirer Culture Writer
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Topics: Local Government, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety and Security

Following requests by U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, city officials and citizens' groups, Independence National Historical Park has agreed to extend the public-comment period for the park's controversial security plan.

The initial deadline for comment was Aug. 1. But park officials, facing broad opposition to the proposal that calls for a permanent fence across Independence Square, have now agreed to extend it to Sept. 1.

From the look of what's come in so far, it appears that the park should buckle up.

The city has broadly challenged virtually every aspect of the proposed security plan.

The state Bureau for Historic Preservation said the plan would "contradict the very significance" of Independence Square and Independence Hall and "would not secure this World Heritage Site from terrorist attacks."

A coalition of area businesses and residents, and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, have both suggested that no security construction is preferable to any park proposal.

And Brady, leader of the city's Democratic Party, has now joined Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.), U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Phila.), Gov. Rendell, Mayor Street, and State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo (D., Phila.) in actively opposing the plan.

The fence, which would cut the historic square in half, is part of an overall post-9/11 security plan that would also see the first home of the U.S. Supreme Court, at Fifth and Chestnut Streets, partly converted into a permanent screening center, replete with X-ray machines, metal detectors and guards.

The plan also calls for additional fencing around the Liberty Bell Center and a permanent security hut on Sixth Street to screen Bell visitors.

The $2 million Independence Square portion of the plan is contained in the current Interior Department budget. If Congress approves, construction could start next spring.

Fumo said he was struck by the symbolism of it all.

"Maybe because this is the birthplace of liberty, we take this more seriously than other places," he said. "I know it's only a fence and it's Independence Park, but this is symbolic of everything [the federal government has] been doing since 9/11."

In a highly critical preliminary response to the plan, city Managing Director Pedro Ramos said: "The city has serious concerns that the current and proposed screening facilities and process... and the proposed fencing... present a significant interference with the historic nature of the property and with the free movement and public access to the entire site."

Under the terms of the National Environmental Policy Act, the park must conduct a detailed environmental assessment of its proposal and is then required to seriously consider comment.

At the beginning of July, the park quietly posted its assessment, which contains its preferred plan and two alternatives, on its Web site, and gave 30 days for response. The assessment can be found on the Web at www.nps.gov/applications/parks/inde/ppdocuments/ea.pdf.

One alternative would be to do nothing, retaining the current temporary screening facilities and bicycle-rack barriers.

The other alternative would involve construction of a security hut on Independence Square. It also would include construction of the preferred plan's 7-foot-high wrought-iron fence about 130 feet south of Independence Hall, blocking almost the entire northern section of the square, where the Declaration of Independence was first publicly proclaimed on July 8, 1776.

In its assessment, the park said that construction of the fence would have a minor-to-moderate adverse effect, "depending on visitor preferences related to the need to retain the historic characteristics of the square and the value they place on freely moving about the park unimpaired by security structures."

But John Gallery, director of the Preservation Alliance, wrote in the alliance's comment that the fence "totally alters the historic character of the square," established in the 1730s by the colonial assembly to be an open public space forever. "This is more than a 'moderate' impact," he continued. "It alters the character and significance of Independence Hall and Independence Square as symbols of liberty and freedom. It is inappropriate."

The full square has never been cut by a fence, said Charlene Mires, associate professor of history at Villanova University.

The park manages the city-owned square and complex of historic buildings - the Supreme Court building, commonly known as Old City Hall, Independence Hall and Congress Hall. Under the federal enabling legislation for the park, no changes may be made in the buildings or grounds without approval from the city.

The city has given no such approval for the fencing scheme or for the security setup in Old City Hall.

Ramos, the managing director, argues that the park did not consult with the city before transforming Old City Hall into an airportlike security center. Old City Hall is a "highly significant building," Ramos wrote.

In separate comments, the Independence Mall Business and Residents Coalition and the Preservation Alliance both note another alternative: dismantling the security barriers and huts scattered around the park.

The coalition questions "whether any of the security schemes are necessary or appropriate."

Gallery argues that dismantling the security apparatus is "most consistent" with the symbolism of the area. Moreover, he says, "no substantive evidence" has been presented that Independence Park "or any historic or purely symbolic sites anywhere in the United States have ever been the object of terrorist attacks or even considered as potential targets. The risk of leaving the sites unprotected is minimal."

The business coalition argues that an alternative fencing plan, designed by architect Laurie Olin, author of the park's master plan, should also be considered. That plan would allow free access through the square and move screening from the court building to the building next door to Independence Hall.

In a recent interview, Dennis Reidenbach, park superintendent, said the park had to provide permanent security under terms of a presidential directive. The Olin plan, he said, had been rejected by Interior Department security officials.

Contact culture writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594 or ssalisbury@phillynews.com.

Copyright 2002-2007 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Used with permission.
 
 
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