Historical Commission — Nov 6, 1980

MINUTES OF THE 251st STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 November 1980 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission James S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Edward Pinkowski John Tarkin Val G. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission William McManus, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siewikowski, Architectural Historian Jefferson M. Moak, Research Historian Also: Titus D. Hewryk, Funi Greenberg and Robert Zimudling of the University of Pennsylvania concerning College Hall. Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. The Minutes of the Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 2 October 1980 were approved and directed to be filed. The Report of the Architectural Committee for 15 October 1980, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission. Action on 304-306 Lombard Street and its rear court houses was withheld pending Mr. Pinkowski's examination of the architect's drawings for the replacement of the structurally damaged exterior walls of these buildings and the Commission's subsequent conclusion of the matter. Also deferred at this time was consideration of the Committee's recommendation concerning the University of Pennsylvania's proposal for College Hall. It was agreed that this matter would be taken up as a separate item on the agenda. Except for 304-306 Lombard Street and College Hall, the Historical Commission voted to approve the Report of the Architectural Committee for 15 October 1980 and directed that it be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. At this time, the Commission's Chairman welcomed to the meeting Messrs. Hewryk, Greenberg and Zimudling of the University of Pennsylvania. As Chairman of the Architectural Committee, Mr. Levy began the discussion concerning College Hall and the University's proposal for the installation of an elevator for the handicapped within the stairwall STATED MEETING 2 5 November 1980 REPORTS (Cont'd) of the building. At its meeting of 15 October 1980, the Committee met with Mr. Newryk & al. to review the matter including the University's study of several optional locations for the elevator. The Committee, as reported by Mr. Levy, voted to recommend to the Commission that the installation of the elevator within the stairwell not be approved particularly in view of the fact that ANSI code requirements could not be met within that space. Following Mr.

several optional locations for the elevator. The Committee, as reported by Mr. Levy, voted to recommend to the Commission that the installation of the elevator within the stairwell not be approved particularly in view of the fact that ANSI code requirements could not be met within that space. Following Mr. Levy's comments, Mr. Henryk revisited with the Commission the University's proposal and discussed in detail some of the options studied. Based upon cost and space use considerations, the University determined that no viable alternative to the original scheme existed. After considerable discussion of the matter, the Commission members voted to allow the installation of the elevator within the stairwell provided that it be placed within the core of the stairs and that as much original fabric as possible be retained. In addition, the Commission requested the University's assurance that the remaining stairwell will be preserved in its original condition. Mr. Henryk agreed also to provide the Commission with copies of the University's correspondence with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the Department of Labor and Industry approving the proposed elevator installation. The Report of the Committee on Certification for 6 October 1980, Edward Finkovski, Chairman. Under Old Business, the Historical Commission members reviewed again the proposed certification of the Reading Terminal, 1115-1141 Market Street, and the building at 313 Chestnut Street. The Commission members accepted the recommendation of the Committee on Certification concerning Reading Terminal and directed the Historian to begin negotiations with Market Street East Corporation and others to enlist their support in persuading the Reading Company to accept certification. The Reading Company rejected the certification of the Terminal in a letter of 29 May 1980 to the Commission. The Commission also agreed to accept the recommendation of the Committee regarding 313 Chestnut Street and voted to ratify the certification of this Old City structure. Under New Business, each of the following nominations was reviewed separately and approved for certification: 1222-1226 Arch Street - A. J. Holman & Company Building 1420-1422 Chestnut Street - American Baptist Publication Society Building 2029-2030 Christian Street - Church of the Holy Apostles STATED MEETING 3 6 November 1980 REPORTS (Cont'd) Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center -- Civic Center Boulevard and 34th Street 2015 Diamond Street -- Untica Methodist Episcopal Church 1221-1223 Locust Street -- Freinseton Club 827 St. George's Road -- Violet Oakley Studio 8214-8222 Wissahickon Avenue -- Alfred Gress

Apostles STATED MEETING 3 6 November 1980 REPORTS (Cont'd) Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center -- Civic Center Boulevard and 34th Street 2015 Diamond Street -- Untica Methodist Episcopal Church 1221-1223 Locust Street -- Freinseton Club 827 St. George's Road -- Violet Oakley Studio 8214-8222 Wissahickon Avenue -- Alfred Gress Public School 251 South 22nd Street -- Bishop Mackay-Smith House. In the continuing effort to ratify the certification of buildings in the Old City National Register Historic District, the Commission reviewed and approved each of the following buildings: 27-29 North 3rd Street 33 North 3rd Street 41 North 3rd Street 43 North 3rd Street 45 North 3rd Street 47 North 3rd Street 51 North 3rd Street 53 North 3rd Street 55 North 3rd Street 57 North 3rd Street 61-65 North 3rd Street Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of October, Richard Tyler Historian. Dr. Tyler's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Slemienkowski Architectural Historian