THE MINUTES OF THE 333RD STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 9 August 1989 Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman Present: Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman David Brownlee Jason Nathan William Thompson John Street, Esq., Philadelphia City Council Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director, City Planning Commission Benjamin Ellis, Commissioner, Department of Public Property David Wismer, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Maria Petrillo, Esq., Chief Assistant City Solicitor Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Preservation Planner Also: Danielle Weisse, Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania Simon M. Langerg, Vitetta Group Thomas Ventulett of Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates Andrew McLean of Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates Theodore W. Garrison III for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Kenneth J. Bryson of Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates James Ward of Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates James M. Howe of Schirmes Engineering Corporation Vincent Maiello of Kelly/Maiello Architects Edna Irving, Assistant to John F. Street Howard Kittell of the Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia James J. Cuorato of the City Commerce Department George Skarmeas of Vitetta Group/Studio Pour Rita Roosevelt for Gerri Walker, City Representative and Director of Commerce Titus Hewryk for the University of Pennsylvania Arthur Gravina for the University of Pennsylvania STATED MEETING 2 9 August 1989 THE MINUTES of the 332nd Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 12 July 1989, Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman. Barbara Kaplan asked that the Minutes be amended to indicate that the developer for the properties at 24, 26 and 28 South Front Street would meet with the Commission's ad hoc committee to reach an agreement with regard to a proposed demolition, preservation and reconstruction plan for these properties. Subject to this amendment, the Minutes of the 332nd Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 12 July 1989 were approved. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 26 July 1989, David Hollenberg, Chairman. In the absence of Mr. Hollenberg, Ms. Siemiontkowski presented the Committee's recommendations to the Commission. On 26 July 1989, the Architectural Committee met and reviewed a total of eight proposals for alterations to historically designated properties. The Committee voted to recommend a final approval on five of these eight applications. These included proposed interior alterations to the Furness Library at the University of Pennsylvania; the restoration and rehabilitation of several out-buildings at Bartram's Gardens located
a total of eight proposals for alterations to historically designated properties. The Committee voted to recommend a final approval on five of these eight applications. These included proposed interior alterations to the Furness Library at the University of Pennsylvania; the restoration and rehabilitation of several out-buildings at Bartram's Gardens located at 54th Street and Eastwick Avenue; renovations to the Friendship Baptist Church located at 17th and Wharton Streets; masonry restoration, repainting and lighting improvements for the Union League located at 140 South Broad Street; and the addition of a one-story link structure at 225 South 8th Street. The Commission voted to accept the recommendation of its Architectural Committee and grant a final approval of the five applications noted in the preceding paragraph. An approval, in concept, was recommended by the Committee for two projects. These projects involve proposed alterations to One Mellon Bank Center at Broad and Chestnut Streets and continuing design development for the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Trainshed. At the request of the Chairman, Thomas Ventulett of Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates presented to the Commission members an update on design development for the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the proposed reuse of the Reading Terminal Trainshed as a part of that project. Mr. Ventulett illustrated with a series of slides the current status of design development for the Pennsylvania Convention Center project and answered questions posed by various members of the Commission. A detailed description of the proposed project appears in the 26 July 1989 report of the Architectural Committee. STATED MEETING 3 9 August 1989 Following Mr. Ventulett's presentation and Commission discussion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center project and, in particular, its impact upon the Reading Terminal Trainshed and market, the members voted to approve, in concept, the plans currently before the Commission and to ask for periodic updates on continuing design development. The Commission also supported the Architectural Committee in its recommendation that the architects for the Convention Center Project restudy the circular form taken by the facade of the infill structure within the trainshed and the floor pattern which continues that form. The Commission, as recommended by its Committee, encouraged the architects to find a way to diffuse the circular form of this space and develop a less centrally focused design. The Commission also voted to approve, in concept, proposed alterations to One Mellon Bank Center at Broad and Chestnut Streets. Finally,
The Commission, as recommended by its Committee, encouraged the architects to find a way to diffuse the circular form of this space and develop a less centrally focused design. The Commission also voted to approve, in concept, proposed alterations to One Mellon Bank Center at Broad and Chestnut Streets. Finally, the Committee recommended to the Commission the rejection of a sign application for 303 Market Street. The Committee found the size, scale, materials and placement of the sign to be inappropriate to the historic character of this building. The applicant has since met with the Commission staff toward the goal of designing a sign compatible with the historic building. The applicant will resubmit a new application to the Committee at a later date. The Commission voted to deny approval of the current application as recommended by the Committee. THE REPORT on the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for June and July, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer.