MINUTES OF THE 165th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 April 1972 Present: Charles R. Tyson, Chairman of the Commission Richmond P. Miller, Vice Chairman of the Commission Edward Pinkowski Robert Silver, Deputy Commissioner of Public Property James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Henry J. Magaziner, Architectural Advisor to the Commission Mrs. Charles J. Warren, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Isador Kranzel, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Mrs. Joseph Segal, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Barbara Simutkowski, Secretary Also: R. Damon Childe, Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES for the Stated Meeting 2 March 1972 were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 14 March 1972 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Staff Recommendations for Certifying Buildings. The following buildings were certified by the Commission as being worthy of preservation: Race Street Pumping Station (Race-Delaware Ave.) Drexel Institute at 32nd and Market Streets Ridgway Library at Broad and Christian Streets Gates of Mt. Moriah Cemetery at Kingsessing and Cemetery Avenues 2144 and 2146 Green Street 5535 Ridge Avenue 7925 Ridge Avenue 6600-6614 Germantown Avenue Action on 5513 Ridge Avenue and 433 W. Tioga Street, St. Veronica's Roman Catholic Church, was withheld pending further study of the buildings. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian (prepared and presented to the Board by the Secretary). The report on Commission activities for March was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "OK" with a checkmark, and "5/4/72" (date stamp)] MINUTES 2 6 April 1972 OLD BUSINESS Market Square, Germantown. The Germantown Historical Society's concern for the urban renewal plan as it affects the Germantown Market Square was brought to the attention of the Historical Commission. The major point of contention stems from the fact that the Civil War Memorial, located in the middle of Market Square is scheduled for removal from the Square. At the suggestion of the Commission's Historian, not present at the meeting, the Historical Commission members voted to support the Germantown Historical Society in its effort to have the memorial retained on its present location. A motion was made to write to the National Trust for Historic Preservation stating the Historical Commission's
suggestion of the Commission's Historian, not present at the meeting, the Historical Commission members voted to support the Germantown Historical Society in its effort to have the memorial retained on its present location. A motion was made to write to the National Trust for Historic Preservation stating the Historical Commission's position. This was seconded and carried. 706-14 Spruce Street (demolition requested by the Redevelopment Authority) Mr. Magaziner will meet next week with Mr. Cathcart of the Pennsylvania Hospital and Mr. Martin of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation to discuss the hospital's plans for these properties. The Commission's hope that the building (at least, the facades) may be retained and preserved will be expressed, once again, by Mr. Magaziner at that time. NEW BUSINESS The Crosstown Expressway. R. Damon Childs, attending at the request of the Chairman, addressed himself to the present status of the Crosstown Expressway proposal. As stated by Mr. Childs, the construction of the expressway as planned would call for the total clearance of the area between South and Bainbridge Streets extending from the Delaware to the Schuylkill Expressway. A major grade highway would be constructed within this corridor as well as new residential and commercial structures in the medial strip. An alternative proposal which would be feasible in view of the facts uncovered by the Voorhees Report, prepared last year, would clear only the area west of Seventh (or Fifth) Street and allow South and Bainbridge Streets to carry the traffic flow to the Interstate 95 ramps. This arrangement would not cause congestion in the area since the basic need is for flow of traffic from west to east. This alternative would not involve any change to the design of Interstate 95 and would preserve many of the old structures along the riverfront. Public Hearings on the Crosstown Expressway will be held on the 26th of April at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission offices. Mr. Childs reported that if public sentiment, at that time, is strongly against a Crosstown Expressway in the South-Bainbridge corridor, the proposal would be dropped. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: Handwritten stamp/notation reading "HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMITTEE" with what appears to be a date or reference mark.] MINUTES 3 6 April 1972 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) A draft of a letter to Mayor Frank L. Rizzo; Bernard Heltzer, Chairman of the City Planning Commission; and Paul Amagel, Chairman of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning
reading "HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMITTEE" with what appears to be a date or reference mark.] MINUTES 3 6 April 1972 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) A draft of a letter to Mayor Frank L. Rizzo; Bernard Heltzer, Chairman of the City Planning Commission; and Paul Amagel, Chairman of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission was reviewed by the Board. The letter presents the Historical Commission's concern for the corridor project for a Crosstown Expressway in the South-Belvidere corridor and reminds the DVRPC of Federal regulations under the Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The letter was read to the Board and approved to be sent. Mr. Magadiner's Proposal. A copy of Mr. Magadiner's letter to the Philadelphia Historical Commission informing them of Federal money available from the National Register and the National Trust for preservation activities was presented to the Board. It was agreed that the group should pursue these opportunities for additional funds and prepare and submit applications for those which are applicable. These applications must first clear both the Managing Director's Office and the City's Finance Department before being submitted to the Federal government. Mr. Pinkowski suggested that the Historical Commission also investigate the possibility of obtaining funds from the Philadelphia Bicentennial Corporation for projects which could be carried out in connection with the 1976 celebration. The staff agreed to explore this matter further. 202 W. Rittenhouse Square (Cassatt House). Mrs. Marrer reported the City Planning Commission's approval of a high rise apartment complex planned for the 200 block of Rittenhouse Square. The high rise is planned would require the demolition of several buildings including the Cassatt House at 202 W. Rittenhouse Square. At the suggestion of Mrs. Marrer, the Board urged that this house should be recommended to the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation as a building which could serve the city as a social residence and that a letter should be sent to the developer of this Rittenhouse Square project urging him to preserve the Cassatt House by employing the transfer of development rights concept. Kosciusako House, 301 Pine Street. Mr. Pinkowski reported that $529,000 has recently been provided by the Federal government for the restoration and furnishing of this historic structure. Since Redevelopment Authority requirements limit the owner to completion of the restoration of a building to within two years, a request for an extension is needed. Mr. Oehler informed Mr. Pinkowski that only the Redevelopment Authority Board has power
Federal government for the restoration and furnishing of this historic structure. Since Redevelopment Authority requirements limit the owner to completion of the restoration of a building to within two years, a request for an extension is needed. Mr. Oehler informed Mr. Pinkowski that only the Redevelopment Authority Board has power to grant such an extension. Mr. Pinkowski will inform the present owner of this procedure. The Historical Commission unanimously agreed that the following Minute be sent to Dr. Tinkcom: MINUTES 4 6 April 1972 It was moved and seconded that the Members of the Philadelphia Historical Commission express their concern for Dr. Tinticom's complete and early recovery from recent surgery and that thanks be extended to her for her close attention to the Commission's business even while convalescing. The Members of the Historical Commission extend individual and corporate hope that Dr. Tinticom will return in good health and the expectation of continuing success and prestige as soon as her physicians allow this. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemientowski Secretary