On Friday, September 13, the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to make Washington Square West a historic district with a unanimous 9-0 with one abstention, writes Raymond Strickland for CBS News Philadelphia.

Tami Sortman of the Washington Square West Civic Association is elated because she has spent years pushing to get that designation.

“You can’t get any more history than what’s happening right here in Washington Square West,” Sortman said. “It’s a pretty phenomenal little piece of heaven in Center City.”

The Washington Square West Historic District makes up around 26 city blocks with more than 1,400 properties. The neighborhood, which dates back to the mid-1700s, is also home to Philadelphia’s first Black Catholic church and the city’s oldest Jewish cemetery.

Sortman highlighted that all the African American history and most of the cobblestone streets are there.

With the historic designation, properties in the district will be protected from demolition and property owners will now need approval from the commission to make certain changes to the buildings’ exterior.

Some in the neighborhood strongly oppose the designation, however, fearing that it may lead to higher home prices and costs for home repairs, and take away autonomy.

Sortman said the organization will hold an educational meeting to discuss how the designation will impact the community.

Read more about Washington Square West’s new designation in CBS News Philadelphia.

_____