Leo Voloshin,

First of all, I want to thank you for being the potential hero in what has been a pretty protracted and emotional journey to save this building.

I am especially grateful for your promise to keep as much as the building in tact as possible. It is truly a visually splendid construct that is worthy of preservation.

So please know that my next comment is coming from a place of deep gratitude and respect — with the full knowledge any action you take on the building needs to financially sustainable.

I would like to encourage and challenge you to think with boundless vision (beyond the proposed residential use) for a possible use for St Laurentius.

You are poised to set a unique and innovative precedent for how these incredible church buildings — and if the Archdiocese has its way, there will be lots more coming down the road in Port Richmond — are adaptively repurposed for the communities in which they are an integral part.

• Is there a way to create a new model for meaningful adaptive reuse?
• Could a new neighborhood hub and resource be created?- One that can be enjoyed by more than just the fortunate few who might eventually reside there?
• What essential community amenity or vital use could this building graciously house?

These buildings were designed to bring people together, they reach their full potential when used that way. This particular building (per its original use) also connected people to something beyond their earth-bound existence. Could this building be re-imagined so that it can continue to connect people?

I honestly don’t know what the answer is — a museum? A performing arts space? A theatre? A meditation center? Maybe it’s use is something that hasn’t even been invented yet, but the prospects are extremely exciting.

I can’t help but regard this moment as an amazing threshold for positive change. The chance to create an incredible public space.

There is a wonderful summary online of what a great public space can do:

• Promotes human contact and social activities.
• Is safe, welcoming and accommodating for all users.
• Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
• Promotes community involvement.
• Reflects the local culture or history.
• Relates well to bordering uses.
• Is well maintained.
• Has a unique or special character.

Sounds like exactly what the world needs right now.

Do you owe the parishioners of St Laurentius anything?

• A small space to come in and light a candle of remembrance?
• An opportunity to gather inside one last time as a worship community to say a proper goodbye?

Do you owe the people of the Fishtown community anything?

• Create a new neighborhood lookout? Opening up one of the towers for folks to climb up to obtain views out over the neighborhood?
• A small memory vestibule where people could catch a glimpse of the former splendor?

Should you become the owner of this building, the answers to these questions are yours alone to decide.

An incredible building in a unique and vibrant neighborhood. An amazing opportunity to create something relevant.

I sincerely hope that you and your development team will take much inspiration from St. Laurentius and make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

Thank you,

Susan Feenan