D R A F T MINUTES OF THE SEVENTY-FIFTH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 24 September, 1963 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Clarence G. Alhart, Redevelopment Authority Mr. Walter D'Alessio, Redevelopment Authority Mr. Oscar Goodstein, representing Commissioner Charles G. Day Mr. J. Edgar Durham, Deputy Director of Finance Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Assistant to the Chairman THE MINUTES of the Meeting, July 23, 1963 were approved as circulated. REPORTS Historic Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. Dr. Nichols being unavoidably absent, his Report was read by Dr. Tinkcom. It was approved. Action taken included an extension of $650 on Mrs. Kirkbride's present contract; an extension of $100 on that of Mr. Iwanicki, and an extension of $650 on Dr. Tinkcom's contract for 1963. This amounts to an encumbrance of $1400 in Class 200, leaving $54.00 for stamps and tokens which will exhaust the funds for Professional Services, Communications and Transportation. Architectural Committee - Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. This Report was approved as read. It covered recommendations on seventeen buildings. Dr. Tinkcom's Report on Commission Activities for August and September was approved with commendation. It was noted that the Commission's Clerk, Miss Constance F. Smith, has a great deal of work in connection with keeping the list of certified buildings - forty copies of it - up to date, and that help in this and other routine work will soon be necessary; that either part time volunteer help or access to a secretarial pool should be considered. Mr. Goodstein will keep the problem in mind. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was ordered filed, together with those of the two committees, with the official copies of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS Demolition of certified buildings in Washington Square East, Unit II. Messrs. Alhart and D'Alessio presented a map of the area with the buildings under discussion clearly indicated. They were discussed one by one and action taken on each separately as follows: 1. 342 South Second Street. This is required for access to Central Penn National Bank, replacing an access on Delancey Street where more THE MINUTES, 24 September 1963 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Demolition, Unit II, continued 1. 342 S. 2nd (cont.) Three new structures are planned. Discussion on rehabilitation of the bank buildings ensued. Mr.
This is required for access to Central Penn National Bank, replacing an access on Delancey Street where more THE MINUTES, 24 September 1963 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Demolition, Unit II, continued 1. 342 S. 2nd (cont.) Three new structures are planned. Discussion on rehabilitation of the bank buildings ensued. Mr. Batten offered to suggest this to the offices of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation contingent upon approval from the Historical Commission to grant approval for demolition of 342 S. Second Street; the space accorded the bank as a result of this approval. On motion from Mr. Trautwein, seconded by Mr. Batten, the Members approved. 2. 206, 208 Stamper Street and 235, 237 Lombard Street. Demolition of these is required for the proposed three level parking garage and the adjoining service garage. It was moved and seconded that these be demolished for the reasons given. Members present concurred. 3. 325, 327, 329, 331, 333 Lombard Street. Demolition of these is approved for the use of St. Peter's School and proposed parish buildings. 4. 312, 314 Delancey Street and 315 Pine Street, to be demolished for a greenway. After some discussion, the matter waslaid aside until later in the Meeting, then returned to and reluctantly approved. The Commission was assured by the Redevelopment Authority that new buildings to be erected in lieu of those demolished would be compatible in design to the buildings in the area which are being restored. It was on this understanding that approval for demolition was ratified. The Redevelopment Authority was complimented on having saved most of the buildings in the area and the statement was made that the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation has sold all but two of the certified buildings, to be restored by new purchasers. Mr. Alhart agreed to bring models of the 4th and Arch Street development to be undertaken by Shoyers, and involving the restoration of Merchants' Hotel, 4th North 4th Street; and drawings and a model of the Market Square area to the next meeting. The contract for the latter has been won by Van Arkel, Moss, Weis, Heller and Rosen. Messrs. Alhart and D'Alessio were thanked for their cooperation and excused. Provost Smith House, East Falls. After background data was rehearsed, it was approved that the new owner be allowed to demolish this building, now in a deplorable state of disrepair. Cannon Ball Farm. Dr. Tinkcom reported on her conversation with
Alhart and D'Alessio were thanked for their cooperation and excused. Provost Smith House, East Falls. After background data was rehearsed, it was approved that the new owner be allowed to demolish this building, now in a deplorable state of disrepair. Cannon Ball Farm. Dr. Tinkcom reported on her conversation with Mr. Wilcox of the Greater Philadelphia Movement, who agreed to discuss the practicability of moving the house to the recreation area that will surround restored Fort Mifflin with Commissioner Baxter and E. Edwin Brumbaugh and to report to the Commission. No action was taken, pending word from Messrs. Wilcox and Brumbaugh. The Academy of Music - the marquee on Locust Street. It was the concensus that the drawing and the photograph of the model did not provide sufficient information on which to base a judgment. It was moved, seconded and approved that more THE MINUTES 24 September 1965 Page 3 OLD BUSINESS continued The Academy of Music (cont.) a letter be written to the architects, saying that the Commission is sympathetic to the problem but that it would like to see the model in appropriate colors. This resolution was approved. NOTE: The model was viewed at a special meeting, Thursday, September 26th and approved, as well as the substitution of bronze doors on Locust Street to replace the original wooden ones. Anticipating the need for a marquee on the Broad Street facade, it was considered appropriate to extend the approval of the marquee to cover that contingency. Notice to owners that their building is certified. Dr. Tinkcom reviewed the procedure and read the revised notice, saying that it will be sent with two enclosures: The "Procedures for Presenting Submissions" and the brochure about the Commission's organization. This was approved. There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, &....