I write regarding the continuing search for a future use for the Old Montgomery County Prison on Airy Street. I was pleased to see the new Montgomery County commissioners take up our banner for a hold and reassessment. I am interested in learning what progress is being made with the county*s Request For Information (RFI). There is great potential for the site.
The Norristown Preservation Society urges the county to formally withdraw its application for demolition of the site as soon as possible. It is an untoward anti-preservation and reuse legacy of former Commissioner Lawrence that should be utterly rejected.
I understand Sean Kelly formerly of Eastern State Penitentiary, has communicated to the county about preserving the castle part of the prison including cells. The Norristown Preservation Society supports this idea. It further supports the stabilization and removal of hazardous materials from the site so that it may be attractive to any interested parties. It does the cause no good if deterioration is to advance simply because of neglect. Though I am told Montgomery County put a new roof on the main building back in the early 2000s, it has done little over the years to trim back the foliage growing from one of the turrets.
It is my belief that new photographs and films should be made of both the interior and exterior of the old prison site. That a multimedia presentation be put together showing the old prison in the best possible light. Historical, economical, practical, aesthetic. That this presentation of both words and paper, motion, pictures and emotion, sensible and sensitivity, be used to sell the site to potential developers.
Russell Rubert President, Norristown Preservation Society
