THE REPORT OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION Arlene Matzkin, Chairperson Commission Conference Room Suite 1301, 1401 Arch Street 27 May 1994 Present Arlene Matzkin, AIA, Chairperson Penelope H. Batcheler, Historical Architect J. William Cornell, J.S. Cornell & Sons, Inc. David Hollenberg, National Park Service Herbert W. Levy, GBQC Suzanne Pentz, Keast and Hood Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Historic Preservation Planner Lori Plavin Salganicoff, Historic Preservation Specialist Bennett Levin, Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Peter VanderHeide, Department of Public Property Also Jean Marra, NPS-INDE Michael C. Henry, Watson & Henry Associates Richard I. Ortega, Ortega Consulting Jim Caufield, PA Historical & Museum Commission Martha B. Aikens, NPS-INDE Dennis Reidenbach, NPS-INDE George Skarmeas, Vitetta Group Stephen F. Finkelman, Miyahara Associates Rich Varela, NPS-DSC Bob Whissen, NPS-DSC Cliff Northrop, NPS-INDE Tim Hine, Philadelphia Inquirer Doris Finelli,INDE Bill Brookover,INDE Diann Jacox, NPS-MARO Bonnie Halda, NPS-MARO Michael Stern, Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation Report of the Architectural Committee 2 27 May 1994 Special Meeting PROPOSAL INDEPENDENCE HALL GROUP OF BUILDINGS PROPOSAL: Utilities Alteration This 90% draft proposal contains several options for upgrading the HVAC systems in Independence and Congress Halls, as requested by the Committee and Commission in previous meetings. The parameters for some of the options are 20-63% relative humidity and 65-78°F — numbers taken from ASHRAE standards. According to the Vitetta Group and their consultants, temperature and relative humidity falling below these ranges would risk cracking of elements, and above these ranges would risk mold growth. Aside from a globe whose paper covering is lifting on the second floor of Independence Hall, no evidence of either condition has yet been observed. Although the Applicant strongly backed one option for approval, Committee members saw a need for further analysis of current and proposed conditions. The submissions of the Applicant to date have not sufficiently described the problem to be solved, the capabilities of the building's envelope, and the criteria for the temperature and relative humidity parameters that have driven the proposals. Without this information, Committee members were unwilling to make a recommendation for any of the proposed alternatives. Bob Whissen of the Denver Service Center recounted the tight schedule necessitated by the Congressional appropriation's bid and construction timetable, and urged that the Committee select an option and make a recommendation for the 3 June 1994 Historical Commission meeting. In the interest of aiding the Applicant
the proposed alternatives. Bob Whissen of the Denver Service Center recounted the tight schedule necessitated by the Congressional appropriation's bid and construction timetable, and urged that the Committee select an option and make a recommendation for the 3 June 1994 Historical Commission meeting. In the interest of aiding the Applicant to meet its schedule and also protecting the building, the Committee instead opted to ask for a meeting of the Commission's technical consultants (Henry & Finkelman) and some Committee members (Mattzkin & Hollenberg) and staff with the Applicant's team to together define the problems and come up with a solution. The results of this meeting will be discussed at the Architectural Committee's regular 31 May 1994 meeting. The Committee voted to have Arlene Mattzkin, David Hollenberg, Michael Henry, Stephen Finkelman, Bennett Levin and Richard Tyler meet with the Applicant and their mechanical system consultants to discuss the proposed HVAC changes and examine the parameters used on 31 May 1994 at 10 a.m. at the Vitetta Group's office. The results of this meeting may be used to formulate a recommendation by the Architectural Committee at its 31 May 1994 meeting. There being no further business, the Committee adjourned at 4:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lori Plavin Salganicoff [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Signature above the typed name "Lori Plavin Salganicoff" — an elaborate cursive signature in black ink.]