MINUTES OF THE 2,165th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 5 June 1962 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Mrs. James G. Ormlich, Jr. Edward Pinkowski Joseph W. Brown, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Val C. Morganstein, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Barbara Baggett, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission Ivan Shomer, Chairman of the Commission's Law Department, City Solicitor's Office Richard Byler, Historian Patricia Sienkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Jefferson M. Moak, Historical Research Technician Also: Erling H. Pedersen, A.I.A. Diane Williams, State Office of Historic Preservation Robert Grainfield, Attorney for City Stores Corporation 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 1 May 1962 were approved and directed to be filed. The Report of the Architectural Committee for 21 May 1962, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission. In regard to Musical Fund Hall, Mr. Pinkowski questioned whether the Commission held jurisdiction over the building since the members had agreed earlier to the building's demolition. It was pointed out that although the previous proposal for the preservation and re-use of the building had been rejected and the demolition of the building approved prior to its dangerous condition, the structure had not been desacrilized. In view of this, the Historical Commission continues to maintain control over any proposed alterations to the building. In view of the significance of the Kit Brothers Department Store complex, the Commission members gave special consideration to the owner's request for permission to demolish this last remaining facade of mid-nineteenth century commercial developments. Mr. Greenfield, Counsel for City Stores Inc., appeared before the members of the Commission to restate City Stores request for approval to demolish the Kit Brothers complex as outlined in the Report of the Architectural Committee. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: "as passed corrected" - handwritten annotation in cursive appearing after "filed." in the second paragraph, inserted between lines.] STATED MEETING 2 5 June 1980 The Commission staff, as directed by the Architectural Committee, checked with the Department of Licenses and Inspections concerning the structural soundness of the buildings. According to the Department, the 1st Precinct buildings have not been determined imminently dangerous and pose no
inserted between lines.] STATED MEETING 2 5 June 1980 The Commission staff, as directed by the Architectural Committee, checked with the Department of Licenses and Inspections concerning the structural soundness of the buildings. According to the Department, the 1st Precinct buildings have not been determined imminently dangerous and pose no threat to public safety at this time. After considerable discussion of the issue and following a summation of the matter under review, the Commission members voted unanimously to invoke the six-month statutory delay on demolition. This period will end on 5 December 1980. At this time, the remainder of the Report of the Architectural Committee was deferred for consideration. A motion to approve the Report for 21 May 1980 was made by Mr. Finkowski. This was seconded and carried and the report directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. The Report of the Committee on Certification for 27 May 1980, Edward Pawlowski, Chairman. The Commission reviewed individually and approved for certification each of the following buildings located within Old City. These administrations by the user requested a continuing effort to certify buildings in the Old City National Register Historic District legally. 305 Race Street 307 Race Street 309 Race Street 325 Race Street 327-330 Race Street 335-337 Race Street 360-364 North 3rd Street adjoins 300-302 Race Street 312-314 Race Street In accordance with the recommendation of its Committee, the Commission voted to table the certification of 323-325 Race Street pending the preparation of a nomination form for 319-321 Race Street. It was determined that the 20th century police station and its adjoining fire- house should be considered together. The Commission voted also to certify the following structures situate within the recently nominated Drum Fair National Register Historic District as recommended by the Certification Committee: Drum Moir Brinkyard Caretaker's House Gate House Carriage House Action on the Hosting House was tabled pending the receipt of more information concerning the incorporation of the building into the proposed development of the estate. STATED MEETING 3 5 June 1980 The Commission reviewed and approved for certification several buildings designed by Frank Furness or produced by his architectural office. They are as follows: 235 South 21st Street, The Thomas Hockley House Southwest corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia Zoo Entrance Pavilions 2121 Chestnut Street, The First Unitarian Church 1804 Rittenhouse Square Firstly, the Commission voted to certify a building
Frank Furness or produced by his architectural office. They are as follows: 235 South 21st Street, The Thomas Hockley House Southwest corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia Zoo Entrance Pavilions 2121 Chestnut Street, The First Unitarian Church 1804 Rittenhouse Square Firstly, the Commission voted to certify a building located in the Torresdale section of Philadelphia and entered on the National Register of Historic Places on 20 November 1979. Glen Foerd, 5001 Great Avenue Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of May, Richard Taylor, Historian. The Historian's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the minutes. NEW BUSINESS Henry A. Betten Memorial Fund. At the request of the Commission staff, a motion authorizing the expenditure of $30.00 from the Henry A. Betten Memorial Fund was made, seconded and carried. These funds will provide reimbursement to Mr. Mosik for the processing and developing of photographs taken and for the purchase of several HABS survey maps. Because of the depletion of its fiscal 1980 operating allowance for materials and supplies, the staff asked for the authorization of Betten Fund money to cover the cost of these two items. The new fiscal year begins on 1 July and will bring with it a renewed operating budget. Philadelphia Preserved. Mr. Levy reported to the Commission on the interest of the Athenaeum Institute of Architects' Preservation Committee in the reprinting of Minard Lafever's Philadelphia Preserved: Historic American Buildings Survey Check. A letter to the Editor of the Temple University Press and to the Preservation Committee requested that consideration be given to the reprinting of the book in soft cover. The Historian pointed out that the Commission maintains a vested interest in the publication of a second edition since all royalties from a second printing will be deposited in the Commission's Henry A. Betten Memorial Fund. After some discussion of the matter, motion was made directing the preparation of a letter to Temple University Press urging the publication of a second edition of the catalog in paperback form. This was seconded and carried. However, it was agreed that the text of the book should be up-dated before going to press. STATED MEETING 4 5 June 1980 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemionkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman