Is Glenmede a Landmark?

I contacted Jeff Cohen, of the Growth & Structure of Cities department to find out what we can do to get Glenmede registered as a landmark and thereby delay or prevent the sale of the estate. This is his response. My original e-mail appears below it.

Hi Inna,

I didn't know this. Perhaps best to start internally with folks at the College, make sure they know how you feel, and ask them if they might explain their plans to you directly. A good person to talk to might be Christopher Gluesing in Facilities, cc'd here.

As far as the preservation of the place, I'm almost positive that the LMHARB (Lower Merion Historical Architectural Review Board) will have given it its highest designation as historic, but thetownship has limited powers over historic buildings. Mike Weilbacher at the Lower Merion Conservancy might be able to help you check, and give you a sense of how far that protection goes.

Beyond that, there are possibilities of nominating it to the National Register, if it isn't already, which invokes rather limited state and federal protections, and also can stipulate what kinds of changes can or cannot be made, but generally only if they involve federal money, which probably wouldn't be the case with a private developer.

Persuasion is probably a more powerful tool here than legal constraint,but it sounds like things are pretty far advanced if realtors are already coming through.

As for the weighing of folks' connection to the place vs. $11M, that's aserious sum that could buy a lot of educational mission, which is why the College exists. It's really a question of BMC's priorities with itsassets vs its needs, but I'm sure that feelings in the community of students and alums ought to be heard by those considering such decisions. If there's a need for more direct info, perhaps start with a request for that. Then, if merited, perhaps a letter or meeting to register your concerns with those involved with such decisions might be in order as a next step.

Best,
Jeff
cc: Chris G


Dear Jeff,

As residents of Glenmede Main House, we are in need of your advice. As wehave recently discovered, the college intends to sell Glenmede for a sumof $11,000,000 by next summer. The Main House will be put up on the marketsometime around February. Apparently realtors have been touring the House (while we were around) and there may already be offers on the table.

We have strong emotional ties to this place and we don't want to be thelast class to ever inhabit it, nor do we wish to see it converted to aluxury condo development. What can we do, insofar as registering Glenmede as a landmark? I know that you have ties to the preservation community in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful for any help you canprovide.

Sincerely,
Inna