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I have been following this case in the Philly Inquirer, and this is the first time I have heard that the BSA built and paid for this building. Funny the Inquirer never saw fit to mention that little fact.

Hmmm... Not that I like the Philadelphia Inquirer, but...

Oct. 18, 2007
"The land belongs to the City of Philadelphia but has been leased since 1928 for that token sum to the scouts, who built the landmark Beaux Arts building."

Dec. 4, 2007
"The Cradle of Liberty Council built the Beaux Arts structure in 1928 on Fairmount Park land that the city agreed to lease to it in perpetuity for a dollar a year.

Perpetuity, however, could not outlast recent U.S. Supreme Court cases holding that taxpayer money cannot be used to support private groups that knowingly discriminate. [...]

Jubelirer said the scouts should not be required to pay additional rent for a building the scouting council built, spent $2.6 million renovating in 1994, and pays $60,000 a year to maintain."

Dec. 8, 2007
"In 1928, City Council passed a resolution giving the scouts perpetual use of just under a half-acre near the Franklin Institute for $1 a year.

The scouts hired architect Charles Z. Lauder and built the structure for a reported $200,000.

Since then, the scouts have maintained the property and building, most recently spending $2.6 million for a 1994 renovation as well as $60,000 a year for maintenance."

Dec 8, 2007
"In 1928, the city gave the Boy Scouts use of the small plot of land downtown near the Franklin Institute for $1 a year. The group constructed the building for a reported $200,000."