Check made out to Philadelphians for Rational Preservation
Please reach out to colin.murphy1865@gmail.com, and we can come pick up your check.

<h1 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Keep Washington Square West Affordable!</h1>Stand with us in the fight for a neighborhood that remains diverse, affordable, and true to its evolving character.<hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Our Mission</h2>Our community has been subjected to a historic designation that places unfair financial burdens on everyday property owners. With expensive, arbitrary mandates&mdash;like forcing a $2,000 door replacement get upgraded to a $10,000 historic replica, or compelling an apartment building to replace new, modern windows with costly &quot;historic&quot; alternatives&mdash;homeowners are being squeezed by an inflexible system. We believe that maintaining and improving your home shouldn&rsquo;t require a bottomless budget, and that preservation should honor a neighborhood&rsquo;s authentic, living spirit instead of imposing the outdated aesthetic preferences of a few.<hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Our Fight</h2>Over the past several months, Philadelphians for Rational Preservation has hired Ballard Spahr to challenge the formal designation of the Washington Square West Historic District. We have filed an appeal and have tried negotiating with the City&mdash;whose sole commitment seems to be defending an overreaching designation.After careful consideration, we secured a flat fee arrangement with Ballard Spahr for comprehensive legal representation. Under the guidance of attorney Matthew McClure, this flat fee guarantees the entire appeal process through the Court of Common Pleas&mdash;briefing, ancillary motions, and oral arguments included&mdash;for $50,000. This means no surprise costs and a clear, predictable investment in protecting our neighborhood.<hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Why Your Support Matters</h2>If we fail to raise the full $50,000, or are unable to secure counsel for a lower amount, our legal representation will fall through, forcing individual appellants either to withdraw the appeal or to face the enormous challenge of litigating without counsel. The consequences of a failed appeal are dire:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="box-sizing:inherit;" style="box-sizing:inherit;">Exorbitant Maintenance Costs: Property owners are being forced to spend astronomical amounts just to keep up with the commission&rsquo;s rigid demands.</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing:inherit;" style="box-sizing:inherit;">Loss of Community Diversity: Without intervention, only those with unlimited resources will afford to maintain their homes in Washington Square West&mdash;transforming our vibrant neighborhood into a playground for the wealthy few.</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing:inherit;" style="box-sizing:inherit;">Permanent Change: Allowing this designation to stand means accepting a future where normal home upkeep is regulated by costly, non-negotiable historic mandates.</li></ul><hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Join the Fight &ndash; Act Now</h2>We need to raise $50,000&nbsp;to secure our legal representation and continue our appeal. Every donation brings us closer to defending a community where property maintenance stays practical and true to its original charm.<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="box-sizing:inherit;" style="box-sizing:inherit;">With a contribution of $500 or more from each supporter, we can reach our goal together.</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing:inherit;" style="box-sizing:inherit;">Your donation today is not just a payment; it&rsquo;s an investment in keeping Washington Square West affordable, accessible, and vibrant for generations to come.</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing:inherit;" style="box-sizing:inherit;">Donations are made securely via our Zeffy account</li></ul>In the event that we do not meet our goal, and/or are unable to secure counsel for a lower amount, we will refund all contributions and notify Ballard Spahr that we can no longer proceed with the appeal. Your trust and support remain our highest priority.<hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Our Community Deserves Better</h2>By standing up now, you help fight for the character, diversity and relative affordability we cherish in Washington Square West.Please share this message with neighbors, friends, and anyone who believes in a rational, respectful approach to preservation. Together, we can protect our right to maintain our homes without sacrificing our neighborhood&rsquo;s inherent charm.Thank you for your commitment and support. Let&rsquo;s safeguard Washington Square West for our families, our neighbors, and our future.Sincerely, Colin Murphy, Josh Zugerman, &amp; Jonathan Hessney Philadelphians for Rational Preservation<hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Every contribution is a stand against a system that values aesthetic over affordability. Join us&mdash;and make a difference today!

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;display:inline-block;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;-webkit-touch-callout:none;-webkit-user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our cause. This donation greatly helps our mission. If you would like to contribute further to our cause, contact us to become a volunteer, or spread the word about our mission! Philadelphians for Rational Preservationphilly4rationalpreservation@gmail.com

Keep Washington Square West Affordable!Stand with us in the fight for a neighborhood that remains diverse, affordable, and true to its evolving character.<hr />Our MissionOur community has been subjected to a historic designation that places unfair financial burdens on everyday property owners. With expensive, arbitrary mandates—like forcing a $2,000 door replacement get upgraded to a $10,000 historic replica, or compelling an apartment building to replace new, modern windows with costly "historic" alternatives—homeowners are being squeezed by an inflexible system. We believe that maintaining and improving your home shouldn’t require a bottomless budget, and that preservation should honor a neighborhood’s authentic, living spirit instead of imposing the outdated aesthetic preferences of a few.<hr />Our FightOver the past several months, Philadelphians for Rational Preservation has hired Ballard Spahr to challenge the formal designation of the Washington Square West Historic District. We have filed an appeal and have tried negotiating with the City—whose sole commitment seems to be defending an overreaching designation.After careful consideration, we secured a flat fee arrangement with Ballard Spahr for comprehensive legal representation. Under the guidance of attorney Matthew McClure, this flat fee guarantees the entire appeal process through the Court of Common Pleas—briefing, ancillary motions, and oral arguments included—for $50,000. This means no surprise costs and a clear, predictable investment in protecting our neighborhood.<hr />Why Your Support MattersIf we fail to raise the full $50,000, or are unable to secure counsel for a lower amount, our legal representation will fall through, forcing individual appellants either to withdraw the appeal or to face the enormous challenge of litigating without counsel. The consequences of a failed appeal are dire:<ul><li>Exorbitant Maintenance Costs: Property owners are being forced to spend astronomical amounts just to keep up with the commission’s rigid demands.</li><li>Loss of Community Diversity: Without intervention, only those with unlimited resources will afford to maintain their homes in Washington Square West—transforming our vibrant neighborhood into a playground for the wealthy few.</li><li>Permanent Change: Allowing this designation to stand means accepting a future where normal home upkeep is regulated by costly, non-negotiable historic mandates.</li></ul><hr />Join the Fight – Act NowWe need to raise $50,000 to secure our legal representation and continue our appeal. Every donation brings us closer to defending a community where property maintenance stays practical and true to its original charm.<ul><li>With a contribution of $500 or more from each supporter, we can reach our goal together.</li><li>Your donation today is not just a payment; it’s an investment in keeping Washington Square West affordable, accessible, and vibrant for generations to come.</li><li>Donations are made securely via our Zeffy account</li></ul>In the event that we do not meet our goal, and/or are unable to secure counsel for a lower amount, we will refund all contributions and notify Ballard Spahr that we can no longer proceed with the appeal. Your trust and support remain our highest priority.<hr />Our Community Deserves BetterBy standing up now, you help fight for the character, diversity and relative affordability we cherish in Washington Square West.Please share this message with neighbors, friends, and anyone who believes in a rational, respectful approach to preservation. Together, we can protect our right to maintain our homes without sacrificing our neighborhood’s inherent charm.Thank you for your commitment and support. Let’s safeguard Washington Square West for our families, our neighbors, and our future.Sincerely, Colin Murphy, Josh Zugerman, &amp; Jonathan Hessney Philadelphians for Rational Preservation<hr />Every contribution is a stand against a system that values aesthetic over affordability. Join us—and make a difference today!

Philadelphians for Rational Preservation

Keeping Wash West Affordable

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