THE MINUTES OF THE 304th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 27 August 1986 Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman Present: Edward A. Montgomery, Jr. Chairman Joan Ferreira Caroline Golab David Hollenberg Jason Nathan William Thompson Rebecca Northrop, Director, Policy and Planning, Office of Housing John Street, Esq., Councilman, Fifth District Dudley Sykes, Commissioner, Department of Public Property David Wismer, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Mark MacQueen, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Preservation Planner Sally Elk, Historic Research Technician, Historical Commission Terri Koob, Executive Secretary Also: Stephen Bosch, Associate Counsel, Temple University Roxanne Galeota, representing the Ad Hoc Committee To Save the Baptist Temple and College Hall at Temple University Miriam Crawford, Retired Archivist, Temple University Louis Sklarz, Owner of property adjacent to River Bank Steps on Wood Street Thomas Noon, Preparer of historic nomination form for the River Bank Steps Patrick Starr, Foundation for Architecture Roger Cohn, Reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer Mary Lou McFarland, Executive Director, Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Ellen Miller, Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia And others. Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the 303rd Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 30 July 1986, Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman, were reviewed and approved. STATED MEETING - 2 - 12 September 1986 THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee Meeting held on 14 August 1986, David Hollenberg, Chairman. Mr. Hollenberg reported that the additional information requested for five submissions was not received. The following projects are still pending: 3204-3206 Powelton Avenue, 1710 Locust Street, 1211 Locust Street, 715 Walnut Street and 224 S. Jessup Street aka 1102 Irving Street. Mr. Hollenberg requested that the Commission delay action on 149 S. Hancock Street pending an inspection of the structure by himself and a structural engineer to ascertain the validity of existing conditions as described by Mr. Taxin in support of his request for permission to demolish 149 S. Hancock Street. The Commission unanimously voted to approve the Report of the Architectural Committee Meeting of 14 August 1986 with the exception of the five submissions noted above where additional information is required. The Commission also unanimously agreed that it would delay its decision on the demolition request for 149 S. Hancock Street until results of Mr. Hollenberg's
the Report of the Architectural Committee Meeting of 14 August 1986 with the exception of the five submissions noted above where additional information is required. The Commission also unanimously agreed that it would delay its decision on the demolition request for 149 S. Hancock Street until results of Mr. Hollenberg's inspection are received. THE REPORT of the Committee on Historic Designation Meeting held on 8 July 1986, Grace Gary, Chairman. In the absence of Ms. Gary, Dr. Caroline Golab presented four items from this report for the Commission's consideration. College Hall, Temple University, 1801-1855 N. Broad Street. Dr. Golab highlighted the historical and architectural significance of College Hall and Mr. Baron presented a slide of College Hall for the Commission's review. Dr. Golab reported that the Committee voted to recommend designation of College Hall by a vote of 5-0. Steven Bosch, Associate Counsel for Temple University, requested a continuance on the consideration of the proposed designation, of College Hall until the 24 September meeting of the Historical Commission. Mr. Bosch submitted a letter to Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman of the Historical Commission, requesting the continuance and waiving entitlement to any period during which the Commission would otherwise be required to act in this matter. Ms. Siemiontkowski read the letter for the Commission's information. A copy of this letter is filed with the minutes of today's meeting. Roxanne Galeota, representing the Ad Hoc Committee to Save the Baptist Temple and College Hall, and Miriam Crawford, a retired Archivist at Temple University, addressed the Commission citing the significance of College Hall. Both women urged the Commission to designate the building at today's meeting. The Commission unanimously voted to grant a continuance until the 24 September 1986 meeting with the understanding that Temple University waives entitlement to any time period during which the Commission otherwise would be required to act in this STATED MEETING - 3 - 12 September 1986 matter. The Commission further accepted from the University confirmation that no act of demolition can or will take place until such time as the Historical Commission should render a decision on this matter. Masonic Hall and Market of Manayunk, 4313 Main Street. Dr. Golab reported on the architectural and historical significance of this building and Mr. Baron presented a slide for the Commission's review. Dr. Golab stated that the Committee voted to recommend designation of the Masonic Hall and Market of Manayunk
matter. Masonic Hall and Market of Manayunk, 4313 Main Street. Dr. Golab reported on the architectural and historical significance of this building and Mr. Baron presented a slide for the Commission's review. Dr. Golab stated that the Committee voted to recommend designation of the Masonic Hall and Market of Manayunk by a vote of 5-0. The Commission unanimously voted to designate the Masonic Hall and Market of Manayunk at 4313 Main Street as historic. River Bank Steps and Passageway, Wood Street, Front to Water Streets. Dr. Golab described the historical significance of the River Bank Steps and Passageway and Mr. Baron presented a slide for the Commission's review. These steps and passageway are located on Wood Street between Front and Water Streets, an alley on the 300 block of North Front Street. Dr. Golab stated that the Committee voted to recommend designation of this nomination by a vote of 5-0. Louis Sklarz, owner of the property abutting the River Bank Steps, addressed the Commission requesting a thirty-day extension owing to the fact that he only recently learned of this pending designation. Mr. Sklarz stated that he would use this extra time to verify the significance and the ownership of the steps and passageway. Patrick Starr, addressing the Commission as a citizen, objected to the granting of this extension on the grounds that it may set a precedent for anyone to walk in off the street and request and be granted a continuance. Councilman Street pointed out that Mr. Sklarz has an interest in this particular nomination as owner of the abutting property and has raised some valid issues. Councilman Street continued that there would be no threat to these steps and passageway should a continuance be approved. Thomas Noon, preparer of the nomination for the River Steps and Passageway, reassured the Commission of the authenticity of the documentation submitted as part of this nomination. After considerable discussion, the Commission voted to grant a continuance on this designation nomination until the 24 September 1986 meeting by a vote of 5-4. Ms. Ferreira, Dr. Golab, Mr. Hollenberg, and Commissioner Sykes cast the dissenting votes. U.G.I. Building, 1401-1415 Arch Street. Dr. Golab described the architectural and historical significance of this building and STATED MEETING - 4 - 12 September 1986 Mr. Baron presented slides for the Commission's review. Dr. Colab reported that the Committee voted to recommend designation on the U.G.I. Building by
dissenting votes. U.G.I. Building, 1401-1415 Arch Street. Dr. Golab described the architectural and historical significance of this building and STATED MEETING - 4 - 12 September 1986 Mr. Baron presented slides for the Commission's review. Dr. Colab reported that the Committee voted to recommend designation on the U.G.I. Building by a vote of 5-0. Ms. Siemiontkowski read a letter into the record received from Albert Eisen, Executive Vice President of Strouse-Greenberg, requesting that a sixty-day continuance be granted. A copy of this letter is filed with the minutes of today's meeting. Ms. Siemiontkowski recommended that the Commission grant a 30-day continuance to allow all owners of the property an opportunity to participate in the designation process. Ms. Siemiontkowski further stated that if additional time is needed by the owners, another continuance could be granted provided the owners agree to waive entitlement to any time period during which the Commission would otherwise be required to act. Ms. Elk addressed the Commission as President of the Samuel Yellin Foundation and requested that the record include the fact that there are Samuel Yellin gates on the building. The Commission unanimously agreed to grant a continuance of the designation consideration of the U.G.I. Building until the 24 .September 1986 meeting. THE REPORT of the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for 15 July - 15 August 1986, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer and Patricia A. Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer, was reviewed and approved for filing. Ms. Siemiontkowski reported that subsequent to the preparation of the Staff Activities Report, Philadelphia received approval of its request for Certified Local Government Status. Mayor Goode signed the agreement forms which were returned to Harrisburg for further processing. Ms. Siemiontkowski also reported the receipt of a proposal calling for the removal of the Haviland Paneling from storage and its re-erection within the lobby of Mellon Independence Center (formerly the Lit Brothers Department Store). This paneling was removed from the State House in the 1960's and stored until such time as a feasible re-use could be found. Mellon Bank intends to re-erect, maintain and interpret the paneling as part of a permanent loan agreement with the City of Philadelphia. The details of this arrangement are now being drafted for review by the City of Philadelphia, the Independence National Historical Park and Mellon Bank. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Terri Koob Executive Secretary