Siloam seeks demolition
Siloam, the AIDS-services agency that wants to demolish an old Catholic church under its stewardship, filed a legal brief earlier this month asking for permission to demolish the structure without delay.
But a neighborhood association that wants to preserve the church responded, calling approval for the demolition at this state of the litigation “premature.”
Siloam wants to demolish the Church of the Assumption, 1133 Spring Garden St., because it allegedly is too expensive to maintain, and cannot be sold or rented due to its dilapidated condition.
The church was designated as historic in 2009, partly because St. Katharine Drexel was baptized there in 1858.
But in 2010, the city’s Historical Commission approved the church’s demolition because it poses a financial hardship for Siloam to maintain.
The city’s Board of License and Inspection Review overturned the approval in 2011.
Siloam is appealing the review board’s decision in Common Pleas Court.
In a Jan. 6 legal brief, Siloam asked Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox to promptly reinstate the Historical Commission’s approval for demolition.
According to Siloam’s brief, the review board didn’t give deference to the Historical Commission when reviewing the matter.
“The review board impermissibly invited and considered new evidence and substituted its judgment for that of the Historical Commission in violation of Pennsylvania law,” Siloam’s brief states.
In a Jan. 16 reply brief, the Callowhill Neighborhood Association said it would be “premature” for Fox to approve the demolition until the review board issues its finding of fact and conclusions of law.
The review board filed that document with the court on Jan. 25.
The matter was pending at press time.
Woody’s suit settled
The lawsuit of a man who was allegedly assaulted inside Woody’s Bar in 2008 has been settled for an undisclosed amount of money.
Jeffrey B. Holden sued the popular LGBT bar at 202 S. 13th St. for more than $50,000, after allegedly having a glass object smashed into his face by an underage patron inside the bar.
Shortly before a jury was scheduled to be empanelled, attorneys emerged from the chambers of Common Pleas Judge William J. Manfredi and announced the settlement.
The alleged assailant, Kenneth B. Shipman, wasn’t in the courtroom. But his attorney, Lee J. Janiczek, was satisfied with the settlement, adding that the parties have agreed not to disclose the settlement terms.
John R. Evans, an attorney for Woody’s, had no comment.
Holden’s attorney, Leanne L. Litwin, said: “We’re pleased with the result. This case has settled favorably.”
Holden, who allegedly was disfigured in the assault, sued for compensatory and punitive damages, according to court papers.
— Tim Cwiek
GALAEI ‘V-Day’ party
V-Day Philadelphia will launch the lead-up to its production of “The Vagina Monologues” with a fundraising party next week for the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative and Women Against Abuse.
The Red and Pink Warriors Kick Off Party will be held 7-9 p.m. Feb. 9 at Ascend Lounge at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St.
There is a $10 cover, and proceeds will benefit the two nonprofit organizations.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/204715989625091/.
— Jen Colletta
