MINUTES OF THE 182nd STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 7 February 1974 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Presents: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Charles B. Lycan, Vice Chairman Mrs. James C. Cornilish, Jr. Edward Pinkkowski Robert Silver, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance David Rosenblum, Assistant City Solicitor Edward Kittinger, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patricia Siemankowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Also: Mark Ueland, Architect, for the restoration of 526 South Front Street. Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 6 December, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Reports of the Architectural Committee for 11 December 1973, 9 January 1974, and 4 February 1974 were approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Mr. Magaziner, at this time, presented to the Board the suggestion of Gerald M. Cope of COPE LINDER WALMSLEY, Architects, Engineers, and Landscape Architects, to revitalize the Eastern State Penitentiary and turn it into a major International Student Center for the 1976 Bicentennial. The Board voted to refer the matter to the Architectural Committee for review and suggested that Mr. Magaziner invite Mr. Cope to be present at the Committee's next meeting. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The following buildings are approved by the Board for certification unless objected to by the owner. 1923 Walnut Street. Phi Delta Theta, Thirty-Seventh and Locust Streets. Kappa Epsilon, 3706 Locust Street. Phi Sigma Kappa house, University of Pennsylvania, Thirty- Sixth and Locust Streets. 3619 Locust. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top left corner: "2" (page number)] MINUTES 2 7 February 1974 REPORTS (CONTINUED) Christian Education Building and two adjoining structures. Weightman Hall, 33rd & Locust White Field House, 33rd & Locust St. Mary's P. E. Church. 2105 block of Mount Vernon Street 2107 block of Wallace Street 2109 block of Spring Garden Street 2200 Green Street 2225 Green Street 555 North Twenty-Third Street Commission Activities. Report on Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS 700 South Front Street (request for a Historical Commission plaque). Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. In the Commission's
555 North Twenty-Third Street Commission Activities. Report on Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS 700 South Front Street (request for a Historical Commission plaque). Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. In the Commission's involvement with the support of the Redevelopment Authority, to uphold the Architectural Committee in its refusal to issue a plaque to the building at 700 South Front Street because of the poor workmanship that far produced on unsatisfactory restoration. Queen Salt Farm. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom reported to the Board members that the Water Department was preparing specifications for the removal of the Union Bell House. Maritime Theatre. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom reported to the Board members City Council's continued failure to act on the ordinance which would change the zoning in the one block area occupied by the Theatre to allow its commercial development and the Redevelopment Authority's effort to expedite this legislation. St. Nicholas Church, 2nd & North Seventh Street. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Commission members were informed of the receipt of a copy of William Sloan's letter to Jonathon Mavin Greenberg concerning St. Nicholas Church and his interest in restoring it and an organization petition to alter the church building. Dr. Tinkcom's reply to Mr. Greenberg corrected a number of his misstatements in Mr. Sloan's letter and cited the notice given by the Board to preserve the church's architecture. The Board agreed with Dr. Tinkcom's briefing of the matter. Applications for Dr. Tinkcom. Dr. F. Owen Stess, Chairman. The Chairman reported that numerous applications for Dr. Tinkcom's position were received with only four being accepted as qualifying. These four being Dr. Topsworski, Dr. Blumstein, Dr. Bowen, and Dr. Greenberg. At the request of Mr. Lochman, however, the Attorney requirement will be waived and the job re-advertised to allow for the receipt of more applications. It is the Board's understanding that the City has in mind for the position a man primarily in genealogy. Dr. Tinkcom, at this time, expressed her view of living [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "NO. for 3 JUN [?] Locust" and "[see]"] MINUTES 3 7 February 1974 NEW BUSINESS 526 South Front Street, Mr. Mark Valand, Architect. Mr. Valand presented to the Commission his client's proposal for the renovation of the historically certified building at
her view of living [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "NO. for 3 JUN [?] Locust" and "[see]"] MINUTES 3 7 February 1974 NEW BUSINESS 526 South Front Street, Mr. Mark Valand, Architect. Mr. Valand presented to the Commission his client's proposal for the renovation of the historically certified building at 526 South Front Street. A variance to use the first floor as a tavern with apartments in the upper floors was granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment recently. After discussing Mr. Valand's proposal at some length, the matter was referred to the Architectural Committee. Mr. Silver asked that the economics of this rehabilitation be taken into consideration when his opinion on this would provide the area with a tower it needs. Mr. Valand was asked to attend the Committee's next meeting, February 22, and was then excused. 225 Chestnut Street, Patricia Sierakowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The Chairman's Assistant reported to the Board the availability of the building at 225 Chestnut Street for use by the Commission. This building, declared excess property by the Federal Government, could be acquired by the City for a specific use if the City agrees to maintain it. Mrs. Magahine suggested using the building for commercial purposes with the income earmarked for historic preservation purposes. Mr. Magahine agreed to explore the possibilities of such a use and report his findings to the Board. Bill introduced into City Council regarding Signs on Germantown Avenue, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Historical Commission voted to write a letter to City Council asking for favorable action on this bill which would limit the size and projection of signs on Germantown Avenue. 245-250 West Walnut Lane, Patricia Sierakowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. A letter from a resident of the West Walnut Lane area asking the Historical Commission's support in opposition to a request before the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a variance allowing the conversion of two buildings at 245-250 West Walnut Lane into a residential therapeutic community center. The Commission voted to table the matter for further review. National Trust Workshop on Public Relations in Preservation, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. At the recommendation of Dr. Tinkcom, the Board voted to send the Chairman's Assistant to Washington, D.C., to attend the Trust Workshop. Seminar for Historical Administrators, Williamsburg, Virginia, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Commission voted to allow Miss Sierakowski, at the request of
Preservation, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. At the recommendation of Dr. Tinkcom, the Board voted to send the Chairman's Assistant to Washington, D.C., to attend the Trust Workshop. Seminar for Historical Administrators, Williamsburg, Virginia, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Commission voted to allow Miss Sierakowski, at the request of Dr. Tinkcom, to apply to the National Trust for admission to the Williamsburg Seminar. If accepted, the Chairman will ask the Commission to approve a leave of absence with pay for the six week period for Miss Sierakowski. MINUTES 4 7 February 1974 NEW BUSINESS (CONTINUED) Resolution on Fort Mifflin, Mr. Edward Pinkowski, Member of the Commission. The Commission, at the request of Mr. Pinkowski, accepted and approved the resolution calling for the designation of Fort Mifflin as a National Historic Site. Copies will be sent to the President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Secretary of the Interior, to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, to the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, to the Chairman of the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Commission, to the two United States Senators from Pennsylvania, and to each Representative from Pennsylvania in the Congress of the United States. Request for demolition of 811-813-821 and 829 Locust Street and 210 South Eighth Street by the Redevelopment Authority, Patricia Siewiorkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The Board agreed to allow the demolition of the aforementioned structures. Respectfully submitted, Patricia A. Siewiorkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman PAS/dli