On Wednesday, August 13, 3 local Registered Community Organizations (SOSNA, NOWAC and Point Breeze CDC) will hold a joint RCO vote on the 1601 Washington Avenue project. This vote is part of our area's zoning process and is meant to capture neighborhood feedback before the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) makes its decision.
Unfortunately, the fact that it’s tied to a CBA created without real community input — raises serious concerns about fairness and transparency. The agreement up for vote was crafted in secret, by a small, non-diverse group, without the community’s participation.
Why This Vote Matters
- The results will be presented to the ZBA on August 20 and will be used to show “community support” for the project.
- If the current CBA stands unchallenged, the vote will be used to legitimize a process that excluded the majority of the neighborhood.
- This is one of the few official moments in the zoning process where residents’ opinions are formally recorded.
What We’re Asking You to Do
- Attend the RCO Vote - Show up in person to ensure your voice is heard.
- Attend and Vote via Zoom - Click Here to Register for the Zoom
- Vote with your conscience - If you believe the process has been unfair and the community deserves more time, vote NO to the current plan.
- Encourage others to participate - The more neighbors who attend, the clearer it will be that the CBA process needs a reset.
Date, Time & Location
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Tindley Temple United Methodist Church
750 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Click Here to Register for the Zoom
You do not need to sit through this presentation to be able to vote.
Voting will begin as soon as the meeting is brought to order.
This vote is not the end of the story — but it will send a powerful message to the ZBA and City Council about where the community stands.
The more of us who show up, the harder it will be to ignore our call for a fair process and a true community benefits agreement.