THE MINUTES OF THE 308th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 25 February 1987 Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman Present: Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman Christine Washington, Vice-Chairman David Brownlee Caroline Golab David Hollenberg Jason Nathan William D. Thompson David Baldinger, Deputy Director, City Planning Commission Dudley Sykes, Commissioner, Department of Public Property David Wismer, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Preservation Planner Sally Elk, Historic Research Technician Terri Koob, Executive Secretary Carmen Weber, Archaeologist Maureen Heaney, Clerk Stenographer I Also: Sandy Garz, City Planning Commission Astrid M. Caruso and Roger Prichard of the Old City Civic Association A. Robert Jaeger, Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation Mary Lou McFarland and Ellen Miller of the Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Mike Scholnick and Sherry Williamson of Growth Properties Kent Reichert, South Street Star Albert Taxin, President of Old Original Bookbinder's Restaurant And others Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. STATED MEETING 2 25 February 1987 THE MINUTES of the 307th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 28 January 1987, Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman, were reviewed and approved. THE REPORT of the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for 15 January - 15 February 1987, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer, was reviewed and approved for filing. OLD BUSINESS Boyd Theatre, 1908-1910 Chestnut Street Mark MacQueen, legal counsel for the Commission, reported to the members that the Temporary Restraining Order granted by the Court of Common Pleas on 27 January 1987 is still in effect. For this reason, the Commission again was prevented from consideration of the proposed designation of this building. Mr. MacQueen further informed the members that the case has been removed to the United States District Court. 149 S. Hancock Street Mr. Tyler reported that the Jackson-Cross evaluation of the Growth Properties economic feasibility study for 149 S. Hancock Street has been received. This report concurs with the findings of Growth Properties in that there is no reasonable economic reuse for the building at 149 S. Hancock Street. Mr. Tyler advised the Commission that the Old City Civic Association had also prepared an evaluation of the Growth Properties study. Both reports were only recently received by the Historical Commission. In order to give the Commission members sufficient time to review both evaluations
building at 149 S. Hancock Street. Mr. Tyler advised the Commission that the Old City Civic Association had also prepared an evaluation of the Growth Properties study. Both reports were only recently received by the Historical Commission. In order to give the Commission members sufficient time to review both evaluations of the Growth Properties Study, Mr. Tyler suggested that action on this application be deferred until the next meeting of the Historical Commission. He further suggested that the Commission hear the testimony of Mr. Michael Scholnick of Growth Properties and Mr. Roger Prichard of the Old City Civic Association, both of whom were present at the meeting. Mr. Scholnick reviewed for the Commission members the study done by his firm for Albert Taxin, owner of the building at 149 S. Hancock Street. Mr. Scholnick stated that the Growth Properties report was prepared strictly on a basis of economics, i.e. the cost of project weighed against the value of project. Mr. Scholnick admitted that he failed to consider the Rehabilitation Tax Credit in his original analysis. However, Growth Properties subsequently reworked its figures using the tax credits and concluded that the project still proved to be economically infeasible. STATED MEETING 3 25 February 1987 Mr. Prichard next addressed the Commission and summarized the report prepared by the Old City Civic Association. Mr. Prichard stated that in his opinion several criteria have not been met which are necessary for securing a demolition permit under the historic preservation ordinance. Mr. Prichard questioned the inflated purchase price paid for 149 S. Hancock Street and further noted that the property was never placed on the real estate market. Following a lengthy discussion, the Commission requested that both Old City Civic Association and Growth Properties submit additional data to the Commission. The Commission agreed that a decision regarding the request for approval to demolish 149 S. Hancock Street would be made at the March meeting. NEW BUSINESS National Register Nomination Jayne Estate Building-Delaware Avenue & Vine Street Mr. Tyler informed the members, that as a Certified Local Government, the City has a responsibility through the Commission to comment on seventy-five percent of the nominations to the National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia. Mr. Tyler also stated that in the future he will attempt to secure the National Register nominations in time for the Designation Committee to review and comment on nominations prior to their presentation
to comment on seventy-five percent of the nominations to the National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia. Mr. Tyler also stated that in the future he will attempt to secure the National Register nominations in time for the Designation Committee to review and comment on nominations prior to their presentation to the Commission. The Commission considered the nomination and voted to recommend the approval of the Jayne Estate building for entry on the National Register of Historic Buildings. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Maureen Heaney Clerk Stenographer I