Fight erupts over Rittenhouse Square's future

The first anonymous letter arrived in mid-March, postmarked from South Jersey. Titled "DID YOU KNOW??" it sent out an alarm to residents of Rittenhouse Square warning that their lovely historic park was under siege by commercial interests.

Facing cutbacks in city funding, the letter stated, the Friends of Rittenhouse Square, a volunteer group that helps pays for the park's upkeep, was considering drastic measures including corporate sponsorships and advertising in the square.

While the claims were misleading, the letter aroused real fears and exposed a rift in the storied neighborhood.

Critics of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square call the group secretive and say proposals by a New York consultant hired by the Friends could forever change the square's character.

Leaders of the Friends deny they are contemplating anything of the sort and note an irrefutable truth: They have worked hard and well since 1995 to beautify the park.

The two sides will confront each other at a meeting scheduled for tonight at 6 in the Rittenhouse Hotel, where they are expected to agree on little more than the essential facts:

In an economic downturn when even the wealthy are feeling the pinch, the city is struggling to maintain its green spaces. And new sources of money must be found if the square is to flourish.

For 27 years, the Friends of Rittenhouse Square has supplemented city funding for repairs and renovations. But with declining membership and a drop in charitable contributions, the group has been unable to raise the $400,000 it needs annually.

"Over the past 16 years, we've invested more than $1 million for capital projects," said Wendy Rosen, president of the group since 1995. Looking out from her picture window overlooking the park, she points to the improvements, mostly hidden beneath the dense foliage. "We've restored tiling in the fountain back to the original, renovated the gardener's cottage and the guard house, put in wrought-iron fencing."

The list goes on. And no one, not even Rosen's most strident critics, denies that she has been a tireless advocate and fund-raiser.

Last summer, the board hired Dan Biederman to propose alternative funding sources for the square. The move was not well publicized and, when it became known, provoked long-simmering antipathies.

Biederman, who once worked for the Rockefellers, helped transform Bryant Park in Manhattan from a derelict expanse frequented mostly by drug dealers and rats into a lively gathering spot with restaurants, after-work events, and, in winter, an ice-skating rink.

As part of his first six-month, $30,000 contract (renewed in March), he walked through Rittenhouse Square at various hours and days of the week and interviewed city officials, residents, and business owners.

Drawing people into the square after work, in the evenings, and during cold days or less-than-perfect weather to have coffee or see a light show, he said, could reduce vandalism while generating income for maintenance.

But the problem that has erupted during the last few weeks has as much to do with personality conflicts as it does with philosophical differences over how to preserve the park. After a whispering campaign against the Friends surfaced in the anonymous letter, Rosen posted a response on the organization's website. She rebutted claims that the group intends to violate the square's quiet elegance.

"Will there be advertising in the Square? No," she wrote. "Are the Friends planning more celebrations and events in the Square? This has not been ruled out," she added, citing as examples children's book readings and yoga classes. "We will ensure that the events will be in keeping with the integrity of the park and the style of the neighborhood."

The original anonymous letter was followed by a second.

"I have no issue with Wendy or any other current or past board members," it read, "BUT this current plan has disaster written all over it . . ."

The first public discussion, organized by the city's Eighth Ward Democratic leader, took place Monday night. More than 100 people filed into the First Presbyterian Church, taking turns at a microphone or calling out in anger from the pews.

After Fred Glick, a real estate broker, said he welcomed a plan to help make the square a "destination" with more lively activities, the crowd grew restless.

"I could not disagree more," said Fred Kyle, a dues-paying member of the Friends who lives on the square. "Bryant Park is 180 degrees different."

"I've never seen a better public space in America," said Charles Goodwin, eliciting hearty applause. "It doesn't need some snotty wine bar."

Rosen and her group were accused repeatedly of overstepping their authority.

"There is a perception that the Friends of Rittenhouse Square is an exclusive, inbred group," said Martin Rosenthal, a resident of Fitler Square.

The best way to remedy that, suggested Malcolm Ecker, an orthopedic surgeon, is to pay the $50 annual dues and become a member.

"I'd encourage people not to grumble," he said, "but join and participate with a united voice."

Others proposed assessing fees on businesses facing the square, changing the boundaries of the Center City District to include the entire square, enlisting volunteers to clean up and patrol the park, or simply asking residents to contribute cash.

A vote was taken. "Who wants Rittenhouse Square to remain the way it is?"

All but two hands went up.

In the last two years, membership had fallen by more than half. Since the group announced that Biederman would attend the May meeting, open only to dues-paying members, 200 more members have joined.

City officials, who would have to approve any changes to the park's operation, have asked to see Biederman's report but were told there was nothing in writing.

Mark Focht, Fairmount Park's executive director, said he knew Biederman personally and was familiar with his work. From what he has heard, he said, none of the proposals seems outlandish.

"The city has in no way walked away from our obligation and responsibilities," he said. "But costs have gone up."

The city's 2010-11 budget contains about $250,000 for Rittenhouse Square, including trash removal, lighting and pavement repairs, electricity, and water.

"To me, this is a fairly simple conversation," Focht said. "If folks want to sustain that level of maintenance in the square, they have to pay for it. They either have to allow the Friends to develop sustainable sources of revenue, some of the ideas Dan put forward or others, or they need to open their wallets."