There is agreement among Governor Rendell, Mayor Nutter, Chief Justice Castille, the leaders of the Philadelphia Courts, the private bar and advocacy groups that Philadelphia needs a new, unified Family Court building to replace the two old, outdated facilities that have too long been used for very important legal proceedings involving families and children. Questions have been raised about the proper site and development of the new facility, and more recently inquiries into possible inappropriate involvement and self-dealing by one of the parties have plagued the process.

Despite this, it remains important to remember that the need for the new building and the desire to see it accomplished in the near future is the most important thing.

PMC remains part of a coalition that includes the Women's Law Project, Support Center for Child Advocates, the Juvenile Law Center, Community Legal Services, Volunteers for the Indigent Project, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and the Philadelphia Bar Association. The coalition has made the new building a priority. Our work will continue, and we are confident that the renewed focus on the building, the site where it is built, and how this is achieved will ensure that Philadelphia finally gets the Family Court building we have been waiting for.