A very interesting story: Another buyer wants Boy Scouts HQ to donate to gay groups

[WillParkinson]

By CATHERINE LUCEY

A local philanthropist has waded into the controversy surrounding the city's proposed settlement deal with the regional Boy Scouts, making a $1.5 million offer to buy the Scouts' headquarters.

Real-estate investor Mel Heifetz is offering more than the city would get from the Scouts. Under the city's settlement deal - which follows a legal dispute based on the national organization's ban on gay Boy Scouts - the Scouts would pay $500,000 for the Logan Square building and then drop a claim for up to $960,000 in legal fees.

Heifetz, who sent the offer to Mayor Nutter and the public property commissioner yesterday, said that if he successfully bought the 13,000-square-foot building at 22nd and Winter streets, he would donate it to a charitable organization that does not discriminate.

"I thought maybe we can right a wrong. It would be very nice if the building were in the hands of some gay group," said Heifetz, who several years ago paid off the mortgage for the William Way Community Center, which serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

http://m.philly.com/phillycom/pm_21405/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=F2729A85D0108AD27BEA6A2A228A878C?contentguid=UMULyUGX

[xchrom]

1. that's kinda cool. nt

[T Wolf]

2. I would love to see this happen and see BSA slapped down and thrown out into the street.

And the city, in desperate need of money, better not accept the lower offer from the bigots.

At the minimum, the reich-wingers should have to meet Mr. Heifetz's offer (he can bid it up as well, I presume).

[Riverman]

3. As a Philly native, former boy scout and out older gay man, this is very cool.

[T Wolf]

4. BAD NEWS update... according to this story posted today in the Inqy, the city HAS TO sell to

the scouts, and at the reduced price.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20101222_Under_deal__Phila__can_t_accept_rival_offer_for_Boy_Scouts_building.html

No good deed (or attempt - thanks Mr. Heifetz) goes unpunished, or rewarded.