LAI Philly SemiQ Tour

Friday, June 12, 2026, the Philadelphia Chapter of Lambda Alpha International will host the sixth of seven East Coast programs celebrating the United States’ semi-quincentennial. These “SemiQ” events offer an in-depth look at each host city’s history and its vision for the future.

Kicking off at 10:30 a.m., the SemiQ begins with a guided tour of Philadelphia City Hall, ending atop its 548-foot tower with panoramic views of the city. Completed in 1894, it was once the world’s tallest building and remains the largest municipal building in the U.S. and the largest freestanding masonry building in the world. Participants will then convene for lunch at 12:00 p.m. in the Caucus Room with its two-story atrium and historic artwork on display.

From 12:30-2:30 p.m., a panel of experts will discuss Philadelphia’s land development—past, present, and future—and take questions. Panelists include:

• John Andrew Gallery – Former Director of the City's Office of Housing and Urban Development, Executive Director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, and author of “The Planning of Center City Philadelphia: From William Penn to the Present.”
• Gina Lavery (Moderator) – Executive Vice President and Principal, Econsult Solutions Inc.; Former LAI Philly Chapter President
• Jessie Lawrence – Director of Planning and Development, City of Philadelphia
• Paul Levy – Founding President and CEO, Center City District, Executive Director, Central Philadelphia Development Corporation
• John Mondlak – First Deputy and Chief of Staff, Department of Planning and Development, City of Philadelphia
• Paul Steinke – Executive Director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia; former General Manager of Reading Terminal Market

At 2:45 p.m., a Road Scholar guide will lead a 2.5-mile walking tour through America’s most historic square mile. Participants can take breaks as needed or leave early. The tour covers Independence National Historical Park, Old City, and Society Hill, with more than a dozen stops, including:

• Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted
• The Liberty Bell, a lasting emblem of American independence
• Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street
• Christ Church, a landmark Georgian church often called the “Nation’s Church”
• Shane Confectionery, America’s oldest candy store
• Stops in Society Hill, one of the nation’s earliest urban-renewal neighborhoods
• The Penn’s Landing waterfront

From 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., Joe Forkin, Executive Director of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, will speak on the $2 billion Penn’s Landing redevelopment, which is capping part of Interstate 95 and creating new parkland.

From 6:15-7:30 p.m., a closing reception will take place at Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn’s Landing.

Image Credits: Adobe Stock; Philadelphia Visitors Center; Visit Philadelphia; Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Info: Gather and socialize at City Hall Caucus Room; ascend to top of City Hall in small groups for viewing

Info: Speaker Panel: Philadelphia Land Use – Past, Present and Future |

John Andrew Gallery – Author; former Philadelphia housing/development and preservation leader |
Stephen P. Mullin, Moderator – Principal, Econsult Solutions; former Philadelphia commerce and finance director |
Jessie Lawrence – Director of Planning & Development, City of Philadelphia |
John Mondlak – First Deputy & Chief of Staff, Philadelphia Department of Planning & Development |
Paul Levy – Founding President & CEO, Center City District |
Paul Steinke – Executive Director, Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

Info: Walking tour of 2.5 miles led by a Roads Scholar tour guide with stops at: Independence Hall – The birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution | Liberty Bell – An American icon | Elfreth’s Alley – The oldest continuously inhabited residential street | Christ Church – The historic Georgian-style “Nation’s Church” | Shane Confectionery – America’s oldest candy shop | Society Hill – A preserved residential neighborhood with 18th-century architecture | Penn's Landing waterfront

Info: Presented by Joe Forkin, Executive Director, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
(rainy day backup – Cherry Street Pier)

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