PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A lot of people want the former police headquarters building, known as the Roundhouse, to be repurposed for community use, according to a recent public engagement report by the city.
Following months of community outreach, the survey by the Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development, titled “Framing the Future of the Roundhouse,” found a majority of people want to see the building used for something else, but they don’t want to see it completely torn down.
“Once people learned about the history of the building and why it was designed the way it was, they intended to be in favor of the use of the building more aligned with its original intentions,” said project manager Ian Litwin.
The roundabout design of the building, which sits at Seventh and Race streets, was made to inspire community-oriented policing, according to the city. “The rounded form was intended to convey a softer police presence,” the report says, “while the generous front entry plaza signaled welcome to the community.”
The Philadelphia Police Department occupied the Roundhouse from 1963 to 2022, when it moved to a new building at Broad and Callowhill streets.
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The report states some residents who were polled view the building negatively, citing police misconduct and urban renewal. But others who shared their opinions hope it can be a place for mixed-use that prioritizes community needs.
Some suggestions to reinvent the space included affordable housing, a community center and a space for youth engagement, to name a few.
In addition, the report found that many people want to see the concrete perimeter wall surrounding the building — which was not part of the original design — be taken down. The report recommends the “addition of green space,” and “the future site should be open to the public.”
As for what’s next, the department will focus on establishing its priorities for the future of the building and begin preparing for proposal requests.
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