Committee on Financial Hardship — Jul 21, 1999

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION Wayne S. Spilove, Chair Commission Conference Room, One Parkway, 18th Fl., 1515 Arch St. 21 July 1999 Present Wayne S. Spilove, Chair Ernest Leonardo, Philadelphia City Planning Commission Robert Thomas Scott Wilds, Assistant Director for Housing, Office of Housing and Community Development Elizabeth Harvey, Historic Preservation Planner R. Scott Jacob, Executive Secretary Laura Spina, Historic Preservation Planner Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Mark Zecca, Esq., Deputy City Solicitor Also Richard Sprague, Esq., Sprague & Sprague Geoffrey Johnson, Esq., Sprague & Sprague Geoffrey Jarvis, Esq., Sprague & Sprague George O’Connell, Esq., Barbin and O’Connell, P.C. Elizabeth Merriam Robert Lockeys Kathleen O’Connell David Donaldson Deena Schneider, Esquire., Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, LLP Jack Panitch, Esquire, Deputy City Solicitor Doris Pechkerow, Esquire, City of Philadelphia Law Department Jon Cabin Pearl Carpel Thomas Kane Maevernon Varnum, Art Defense League Mina Smith Segal Colenn Ceponis Janet Potter, Foundation for Architecture Lawrence Cutler, National Museum of American Illustration Judy Cutler Thomas Nickels, Coalition for Philadelphia Art Victor Wiener Penny Bach, Fairmount Park Art Association (FPAA) Laura Griffith, FPAA Jennifer Darr, Philadelphia City Paper Patricia Aden, Preservation Alliance Aliki Strakes, Preservation Alliance Stephan Salisbury, Philadelphia Inquirer Dana Hergey Joseph Hetrick Mr. Spilove recognized a quorum and called the meeting of the Committee on Financial 2 Hardship to order at 2:00 P.M. Dream Garden Mosaic Mural, Curtis Building Lobby,170 South Independence Mall West Estate of John W. Merriam, Applicant DATE: 1914-1916 PROPOSAL: Removal Attorneys for the applicant were present. Mr. Tyler explained the function of the Committee on Financial hardship as an advisory body to the full Historical Commission. He announced the dates for a second meeting of this Committee and a Special Meeting of the Commission regarding the financial hardship claim by the Estate of John W. Merriam to remove Dream Garden from the lobby of the Curtis Building. Richard Sprague, Esquire, attorney for the applicant, asked that the Commission reschedule the second Committee meeting so that he can attend, as desired by his client. He explained that a planned vacation prohibits him from attending a meeting on 17 August 1999, and asked that it be rescheduled for after 21 August 1999. Counsel for the Commission stated that the meetings were set up according to the availability of the members of the Committee as well as attorneys for the applicant. Mr. Sprague maintained that

attending a meeting on 17 August 1999, and asked that it be rescheduled for after 21 August 1999. Counsel for the Commission stated that the meetings were set up according to the availability of the members of the Committee as well as attorneys for the applicant. Mr. Sprague maintained that he wants the dates changed so that he can attend all of the meetings. The Committee agreed to make every effort to reschedule the meetings to accommodate Mr. Sprague’s absence. Mr. Sprague also requested that written statements and resumes of the consultants be made available to counsel for the Estate at least seven days prior to the meetings at which the statements are heard. The Estate introduced the following witnesses: George P. O’Connell, Esq., counsel for the applicant, and Victor Wiener, an art appraiser. Their written statements, Mr. Wiener’s resume and transcripts of their remarks are attached. Mr. Tyler stated that the Preservation Alliance and The Fairmount Park Art Association wish to present statements at a later date concerning the sale and removal of the Dream Garden mosaic mural from the lobby of the Curtis Building. Representatives from both organization were present, but had to leave the meeting prior to the conclusion of Mr. Wiener’s testimony. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M., when only one member of the Committee, Mr. Wilds, remained owing to the late hour. The Estate objected to proceeding on that basis. Respectfully submitted, R. Scott Jacob Executive Secretary