by KYW's Karin Phillips

The President's House commemorative site on Independence Mall took another step toward reality on Thursday with an announcement from the mayor.

At a press conference at Sixth and Market Streets, mayor Michael Nutter officially gave the go-ahead to complete the President's House project:

"I want to formally announce that I have authorized this project to proceed with the construction of the President's House, right here at this location (applause fades)."

Nutter will head the official kickoff of the fundraising campaign with a fundraiser on Tuesday night at the National Constitutional Center. Roz McPherson is the project manager:

"We're on the phones now, getting folks to write checks.  We're talking to corporations, we're looking at grant opportunities."

McPherson adds that an announcement comes in a few weeks about a fundraiser that will enable any individual to contribute to the President's House commemorative site. 

(Top photo by KYW's Karin Phillips. Artist rendering from Independence Hall Assn.)