Diversity Training a Condition if Scouts Want to Buy Philly HQ Building
By CATHERINE LUCEY
A controversial proposed settlement that would allow the regional Boy Scouts association to buy its Logan Square headquarters from the city took a step forward in City Council yesterday.Councilman Darrell Clarke introduced an ordinance that would transfer ownership of the building to the Cradle of Liberty
Council.
But written into the legislation were two conditions - that the Scouts could not sell the building for 10 years and that they must provide space for community programs, including diversity training.
"We would like to see the building be made available to others," said Clarke, whose district includes the building at 22nd and Winter streets. By Council tradition, Clarke gets to introduce property deals in his district.
Clarke had delayed introduction for several weeks amid complaints about the agreement. He stressed that there was still no final consensus on the issue, which will come up for review in the new year.
Last month, the city announced a proposed legal agreement with the Scouts that would allow the group to pay the city $500,000 to buy its 13,000-square-foot headquarters, the focus of a civil-rights dispute that began over the Scouts' national ban on gay members.
The deal has drawn criticism from the city's gay leaders and other residents. The price tag is less than half the appraised value of the building. But the city argues that the settlement would end an expensive legal fight and the risk that city taxpayers would eventually have to pay the Scouts' legal bills, now approaching $1 million.
Thomas Harrington, the Cradle of Liberty Council's CEO, said the Scouts would comply with both of Clarke's conditions.
"We plan to stay in the building for many years. Having outside groups utilize the office for meetings is consistent with what we've done for many years," said Harrington, who said that gay organizations would be welcome to hold events.
But Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum, criticized the agreement and said the modifications to the bill don't go far enough.
"Anything that rewards discrimination is just plain wrong. So to give the Boy Scouts the building for $500,000 is giving them a prize piece of Philadelphia property for a pittance," Lazin said, adding that the city should seek fair market value for the building.
Lazin was among a group of more than 20 prominent Philadelphians who signed a letter to Mayor Nutter this week asking him to halt the settlement.
Still, Nutter said yesterday that this deal was in the best interest of the city.
Council.But written into the legislation were two conditions - that the Scouts could not sell the building for 10 years and that they must provide space for community programs, including diversity training.
"We would like to see the building be made available to others," said Clarke, whose district includes the building at 22nd and Winter streets. By Council tradition, Clarke gets to introduce property deals in his district.
Clarke had delayed introduction for several weeks amid complaints about the agreement. He stressed that there was still no final consensus on the issue, which will come up for review in the new year.
Last month, the city announced a proposed legal agreement with the Scouts that would allow the group to pay the city $500,000 to buy its 13,000-square-foot headquarters, the focus of a civil-rights dispute that began over the Scouts' national ban on gay members.
The deal has drawn criticism from the city's gay leaders and other residents. The price tag is less than half the appraised value of the building. But the city argues that the settlement would end an expensive legal fight and the risk that city taxpayers would eventually have to pay the Scouts' legal bills, now approaching $1 million.
Thomas Harrington, the Cradle of Liberty Council's CEO, said the Scouts would comply with both of Clarke's conditions.
"We plan to stay in the building for many years. Having outside groups utilize the office for meetings is consistent with what we've done for many years," said Harrington, who said that gay organizations would be welcome to hold events.
But Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum, criticized the agreement and said the modifications to the bill don't go far enough.
"Anything that rewards discrimination is just plain wrong. So to give the Boy Scouts the building for $500,000 is giving them a prize piece of Philadelphia property for a pittance," Lazin said, adding that the city should seek fair market value for the building.
Lazin was among a group of more than 20 prominent Philadelphians who signed a letter to Mayor Nutter this week asking him to halt the settlement.
Still, Nutter said yesterday that this deal was in the best interest of the city.
Comments