MINUTES OF THE 174th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1 March 1973 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Mrs. James O. Cromlich, Jr. Edward Pinkowski William A. Cossello, Commissioner of Public Property Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Barbara Liggett, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patricia Stamatiades, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Alan S. Carpel, Assistant City Solicitor Mrs. Joseph Sagal, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Also: Hobert Caroed, Superintendent of the Independence National Historical Park, and Giovanni Petri, Supervisor of Architectural Design for the Water Department, and R. Demon Childs, Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Herman Teanebaum and Alexander Rappaport, owners of the "Victory Building" at 1001 Chestnut Street. Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 18 January 1973, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 20 February 1973 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Staff Recommendations for Certifying Buildings, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. This report was tabled until the April 5th Stated Meeting of the Commission. Report on Historical Commission Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom's report will be circulated with the March Minutes and acted upon at the Board's next meeting. OLD BUSINESS Cannon Ball Farm. Hobert Caroed, Superintendent of the Independence National Historical Park, and Giovanni Petri, Supervisor of Architectural Design for the Water Department, and R. Demon Childs, Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Mr. Petri explained to the MINUTES 2 1 March 1973 OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd) Historical Commission the Water Department's proposal to request demolition of the Carman Ball house if it cannot be moved before the date when construction of the new facilities is to begin (March 1, 1974). Mr. Gooch explained that the National Park Service was interested in the acquisition of Fort Mifflin but that no legislation has yet been introduced to bring the Fort into the federal government's hands. That being so, the previous proposal to move Carman Ball house to the Corps of Engineers' property is not feasible. Mr. Childs agreed to seek money through the Capital Program for the moving of the house if funds are needed immediately. Since the Recreation Department is in charge
government's hands. That being so, the previous proposal to move Carman Ball house to the Corps of Engineers' property is not feasible. Mr. Childs agreed to seek money through the Capital Program for the moving of the house if funds are needed immediately. Since the Recreation Department is in charge of Fort Mifflin, Dr. Hans agreed to arrange a meeting with Commissioner Crawford to select an appropriate site for the house. Request for Clerk-Stenographer II, Patricia Siemiatowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The Board was asked to approve the staff's request for a Clerk-Stenographer II to fill the void in the Commission's secretarial staff. A letter requesting such an appointment will be prepared for the Chairman's signature. NEW BUSINESS "Victory Building" - 1031 Chestnut Street, Herman Tananbaum and Alexander Rappaport, Owners. The owners approached the Commission Board with respect to the "Victory Building" to a developer, who may or may not wish to demolish the structure, without any restriction of this Commission. The building is presently over 65¢ valuable site of land. Since no owners have no capital to restore the structure, as Mr. Magaziner suggested, they have no alternative except to sell. It was suggested that a group, the Architects' Workshop, for example be asked to undertake a study of the building. If as a result of this study, the building is sold and preserved, the group could be reimbursed a minimal amount for their efforts. The owners were agreeable to this suggestion. Commissioner Costello stated the Board's desire not to hinder the owners but to help them. The visitors were confused and in Executive Session the members voted not to do-certify the structure but to assist the owners in finding a developer interested in the building's preservation and restoration. It was suggested that Dorothy Byrd of the EVENING AND SUNDAY BULLETIN be contacted and asked to write a news story on this building. Reading Terminal, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. The Commission's Chairman was asked by the Housing Director, Hillel Levinson, to check into the possibility of having the Reading Terminal removed from the National Register of Historic Places, since the commuter circuit, part of the Market East Project, could probably not be completed unless the train shed were taken down. Commissioner Costello noted that a solution to keeping the shed, by extending its foundation and underpinning it, would add considerably to the cost of the project. No
Places, since the commuter circuit, part of the Market East Project, could probably not be completed unless the train shed were taken down. Commissioner Costello noted that a solution to keeping the shed, by extending its foundation and underpinning it, would add considerably to the cost of the project. No precedent has been established MINUTES 3 1 March 1973 NEW BUSINESS (cont'd) for the evacual. of a building from the National Register and Mr. Magzinmer, therefore, suggested that the facts underlying the Commission's stand on Uris's position be presented to the Advisory Council and that the Commission be asked to consider the problem and rule on it promptly. The Historical Commission will write to R. Garvey, Executive Secretary of the Advisory Council. It was determined by the Board that the Historian consult with William Womer regarding the best procedure to follow in this matter. The Commission members voted unanimously to help the city in every way possible. 5900-02 Germantown Avenue (request for demolition). Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The owner's request to demolish these two buildings was referred to the Architectural Committee for advice. Request for cooperation from the Historic American Engineering Record, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Because the Commission meeting was running late, this matter was tabled and will be discussed at the April meeting. Bicentennial Booklet Listing Philadelphia's colonial structures. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. This discussion was also tabled until the April meeting. 700-14 Spruce Street. Mr. Henry J. Mageziner, A.I.A. Mr. Mageziner reported on the meeting of the Advisory Council in Philadelphia concerning the preservation of these properties. It is Mr. Mageziner's feeling that the Hospital will be asked for an honest feasibility study -- a study which the Hospital may not be willing to undertake. The board was asked, by Mr. Mageziner, to act as treasurer to accept and disburse money to an architect who might prepare such a study, if funds for this can be made available. Since the Historical Commission has released these buildings for demolition and no longer can have any legal hold on them, it was agreed that the funds, if they became available, should be channeled through another agency. Dr. Hass offered to help Mr. Mageziner find a group willing to do this. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiatkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman