MINUTES OF THE 245th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 March 1980 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Edward Pinkowski Joseph W. Brown, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Val C. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiontkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Harxton M. Carroll, Architectural Historian Jefferson Moak, Historical Research Technician Also present: Philip S. Brody, Esq., Legal Counsel, Office of Housing and Community Development. Joe J. Jordan, Architect, to request the desertification of 336-338 Queen Street. 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 7 February 1980 were approved and directed to be filed. The Report of the Architectural Committee for 20 February 1980, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission. The 20 February 1980 report was approved by the Commission and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. The Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of February, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler reported briefly on the current status of the Naval Home Reuse Study. A meeting with top city officials to review the development options for the Naval Home site will be held shortly. Following some discussion, Dr. Tyler's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS Musical Fund Hall, 808 Locust Street. As a result of continued deterioration, the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued an "imminently dangerous" building violation against the Musical Fund Hall. In addition to its fractured roof structure, the metal cornice and west party wall have suffered considerable damage in recent months. In a last minute effort STATED MEETING 2 6 March 1980 OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd) to save the structure, a re-evaluation of the Wolfman proposal is being undertaken and alternative possibilities for the preservation and re-use of the structure are being considered. Mr. Wolfman's plan, reviewed and rejected by the Commission at its February Stated Meeting, calls for the retention of the building and its conversion into residential apartment uses. Desertification of 336-338 Queen Street. Joe J. Jordan, Architect for the owners of 336-338 Queen Street, appeared before the Commission
being considered. Mr. Wolfman's plan, reviewed and rejected by the Commission at its February Stated Meeting, calls for the retention of the building and its conversion into residential apartment uses. Desertification of 336-338 Queen Street. Joe J. Jordan, Architect for the owners of 336-338 Queen Street, appeared before the Commission to request the desertification of the property. The building, probably originally two, three-story residences, underwent considerable alteration upon its conversion into a church approximately 50 years ago. As a result, the original fronts of the building were removed, or covered, and the present stucco facade erected. In the opinion of Mr. Jordan, the building as it exists today possesses little architectural integrity and, as such, warrants desertification. After considerable discussion of the merits of the structure, a motion to desertify 336-338 Queen Street was presented. This motion was seconded and carried with Mr. Pinkowski and Commissioner Brown voting against desertification. Before adjourning the meeting, the Chairman announced Mrs. Carroll's resignation as her position as the Commission's Architectural Historian. The Chairman, on behalf of the Commission, thanked Mrs. Carroll for the fine job done during her short period with the Commission and wished her luck in her new endeavors. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemionkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman