Navy Yard Had Role in Revolutionary War, Now Historic Status Helps Businesses Employ Southeastern Pennsylvania Residents
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) urging the federal agency to work with officials at the Navy Yard and throughout the community to preserve the Navy Yard.
“Historic preservation tax incentives have helped the Philadelphia Navy Yard create jobs and serve as a reminder of the city’s historic role in the Revolutionary War,” Senator Casey said. “We need the National Park Service to work closely with the Navy Yard’s leadership increase the incentives to create jobs and maintain its record of economic growth while preserving its historic features.”
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter can be seen below:
Mr. Jonathan Jarvis
Director
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Dear Mr. Jarvis:
With its origins dating back to 1776, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, commonly referred to as the Navy Yard, served as the Nation’s first naval shipyard. For more than two centuries, the Navy Yard continuously served the United States Armed Forces. During the 1990s, as a result of Base Realignment and Closure announcements based upon new military needs, almost all naval activities ended at the Naval Shipyard. At this time, the Navy Yard began its transformation into a state-of-the-art business campus. As this property transforms its identity, I am committed to ensuring that the area continues to receive the full benefit of this great resource. I urge the National Park Service to support local efforts to transform the Navy Yard from a naval shipyard into a center for innovative commerce.
As companies seek to convert the Navy Yard into commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and research and development space, I urge the National Park Service to work with stakeholders to ensure that they have all the necessary information about the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program. This federal program is a key component to successful rehabilitation and re-use of historic buildings. These revitalization projects create jobs, provide economic benefits to the community and preserve the historical integrity of our regional assets.
I fully support the goals and objectives of the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program. I urge the National Park Service to work collaboratively with stakeholders at the Navy Yard to utilize Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives to ensure that revitalizations efforts move forward as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Thank you in advance for the consideration of my views. I look forward to continuing to work with you on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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