MINUTES OF THE 211th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 3 March 1977 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman Mrs. James C. Grumlish, Jr. Edward Pinkowski Val Hogensen, Deputy Director, Finance Department Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission David Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiontkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Also: Samuel Stokes, National Trust for Historic Preservation Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 3 February 1977, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 16 February 1977 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. There were no recommendations for certification. Report on Historical Commission Staff Activities, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler related to the Historical Commission members Jefferson Hospital's abandonment of their proposal for the restoration and reuse of 228 South 9th Street. The only surviving documented residential building in Philadelphia designed by Robert Mills. Currently, the Mills Eye Hospital is considering the feasibility of acquiring the Mills' building in conjunction with a parcel of land being offered to them by the Redevelopment Authority for the construction of new hospital facilities. At the suggestion of Janet Klein, the Redevelopment Authority has been asked to consider allow Mills Eye Hospital to use one half of MINUTES 2 3 March 1977 the 1% for Art money available in their budget for the facade renovation of the 9th Street building. The Commission concurred with this suggestion and voted to petition the Art Commission's support in the matter. After some further discussion, Dr. Tyler's report for the month of February was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS ======= NEW BUSINESS Philadelphia Survey and an Evaluative Technique, Richard Tyler, Historian. With the appointment of Venturi and R such as planning consultants to the Philadelphia City Planning Commission in the Old City area, the Historical Commission staff was asked to assist in the preparation of an up-to-date historic values map for this National Register Historic District. This values map would reflect the change in preservation theory in recent years. Working with the Planning Commission and
City Planning Commission in the Old City area, the Historical Commission staff was asked to assist in the preparation of an up-to-date historic values map for this National Register Historic District. This values map would reflect the change in preservation theory in recent years. Working with the Planning Commission and with the Commission's Architectural Advisor, who is under contract to prepare an environmental assessment of the Vine Street Expressway on the National Register and eligible properties in the impact area, the Commission staff formulated specific criteria for the evaluation of each building within the district based on those of Lalonde, B. C. and Providence, R. I. In addition to assigning a numerical value to each structure based on such factors as historical association, architectural quality and appropriateness to present setting, the survey also provides for the compilation of general information such as the use of a structure and its period of construction. The use of an evaluative technique similar to that implemented in the Old City survey can provide, for certification purposes, in other parts of the city a record of how a judgement on certification was made. The use of this tool as a yardstick along with others for certification was discussed by the Historian. A statistical distribution of ratings for the 641 buildings presently surveyed in the Old City was prepared by the staff MINUTES 3 3 March 1977 and distributed among the Commission members. A copy of this analysis is attached herewith. In addition, the staff, in consultation with Mr. Levy, divided the buildings by rating into the following categories: Of least importance 5½ and below Of value as part of the street 6 to 10½ scene Of importance 11 to 15½ Of major significance 16 and above Finally, Dr. Tyler reported that the time being spent in survey-related work will provide the matching value needed to be eligible for the receipt of funds for survey work to be distributed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission throughout the state. In addition to the regular staff, six students from the Philadelphia College of Art and one man from the Great Lakes College Association and the University of Pennsylvania are contributing their time to this project as well. At the request of Dr. Tyler, the Commission considered the allocation of $300.00 from the Harry A. Batten Fund for the purchase of photographic supplies needed to continue the city
from the Great Lakes College Association and the University of Pennsylvania are contributing their time to this project as well. At the request of Dr. Tyler, the Commission considered the allocation of $300.00 from the Harry A. Batten Fund for the purchase of photographic supplies needed to continue the city survey. Mr. Pinkowski made a motion to approve the expenditure of $300.00 within a six month period. This motion was seconded and approved. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiatowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman /pas