Redevelopment Authority claims Polish Museum used aggressive tactics to regain control of building.

Michael Blichasz, president of the Polish American Cultural Center, made a concerted effort this week to reclaim a publicly owned building that has housed his nonprofit for nearly 40 years. During a Philadelphia City Council hearing, Blichasz referred to several deceased political figures, asserting that they had supported Philadelphia’s intentions to transfer ownership of the property located at 308-10 Walnut Street to his organization in the late 1980s.

Citing former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp, then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, Council members Joan L. Krajewski and Fran Rafferty, as well as U.S. Representative Lucien Blackwell, Blichasz lamented the absence of these individuals, who cannot provide testimony to his claims. He further asserted that late U.S. Senator John Heinz had assured him the city would purchase the building on behalf of the Polish Center, which Blichasz claimed would eventually repay taxpayers the total cost of ,687,750 for the acquisition.

However, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) countered Blichasz’s claims, presenting written testimony that found no substantial evidence to support his assertions. Earlier this year, Blichasz and the Polish American Cultural Center were evicted from the Walnut Street property.

Blichasz’s organization has occupied the building for decades without significant scrutiny, even as its condition deteriorated. In 2019, a city inspection revealed hazardous conditions, which Blichasz argued were financially unmanageable for his group. In response, the PRA proposed several compromise arrangements that would preserve the first floor for the Polish Museum while allowing the city to reclaim the remainder of the building. Offers included financial assistance for relocating the museum, all of which Blichasz declined, standing by his belief in an unverified handshake agreement from the 1980s.

The disputes culminated in legal action taken by the city in 2023, which ruled in favor of the PRA after Blichasz opted not to secure legal representation. Despite Blichasz’s historical advocacy for Polish cultural representation in the city, his current appeal has yielded limited support from City Council, with only a couple of council members present during his recent hearing.

The PRA has expressed growing frustration, contending that Blichasz no longer represents a legitimate constituency of Polish Americans and is instead pursuing a futile campaign for a property that he cannot maintain. They accused him of attempting to leverage political influence improperly to secure ownership of a valuable municipal asset. With no viable path forward at this moment, Blichasz remains firm in his belief that a long-ago political understanding will ultimately vindicate him, even in the absence of legal documentation to substantiate his claims.