Some question whether the new public art approved for Midwood tower keeps the promise to honor Black and LGBTQ history
Midwood, a New York based development company, purchased the building at 210 S. 12th St., with plans to build a 32-story, 400,000 square-feet high-rise condo and apartment tower with 376 units. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. “Midwood is trying to ram through approval of the public art bonus,” historic preservationist Faye Anderson told The Inquirer. “The concept design was submitted to the Art Commission on or about May 1, 2024. The concept review presentation was made on May 8, 2024. There has been no community engagement.”
Anderson complained that the Art Commission staff worked with Midwood’s art consultants for about a year, while “the community had three days’ notice.“— one will go on 12th Street and two smaller ones on St. James — did not appear “site specific” to either Casarez, norA couple of the commissioners said the work did not appear to be “site specific,” yet they voted to give final approval at a meeting announced as a “concept design” review.
“I knew Gloria. We were friends. I loved the mural on 12th Street so much that every time I went to Center City, I would drive by and say hi to Gloria.”