MINUTES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 15 August 1974 Present: Mr. Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman, Philadelphia Historical Commission Mr. Erling H. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation Mr. Theodore T. Barr, Jr., A.I.A. Mr. Russell Minor, Architect, Redevelopment Authority Mr. Richard Tyler, Historian Ms. Patricia Siemionkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Ms. Diane DiFrancesco, Secretarial Assistant Also: Mr. Emil Lanelli of the Redevelopment Authority to present samples of the roofing material proposed for the Germantown Stevens Academy at School House Lane and Greene Street. SUBMISSIONS 826 South Front Street, W. Costanze, Owner. The Architectural Committee was pleased with the owner's submission for this property and approved it as it was a much more acceptable proposal than the plan submitted 23 July 1974. 319 Lombard Street, a.k.a. St. Peter's School, Mitchell/Giurgola Associates, Architects. The Committee felt that the proposal for 319 Lombard Street was a good solution for this property and that an interim letter could be sent supporting the plan before the next Commission meeting. It was the Committee's opinion that the Commission would approve this submission. 323 South Third Street, Louis A. Goldberg, Architect. Mr. Goldberg's plans were approved by the Architectural Committee but it was agreed that the Redevelopment Authority's suggestion that the powder room addition be masonry instead of frame be carried out. 1601 Rowan Street, Redevelopment Authority. The Redevelopment Authority's proposal for this building was reviewed by the Committee and approved with two suggestions; namely, wood shingles should be used similar to those at 1607 St. Paul Street and the old door be retained installing glass above with the panels below. If the roofing material suggested is not acceptable to the Authority, Mr. Magaziner and Mr. Tyler will confer on another solution. Samples for the door may be obtained from the Commission staff. 1625 Rowan Street, Redevelopment Authority. The Architectural Committee reviewed the Authority's plans for this structure and agreed that the same suggestions for roofing material given for 1601 Rowan Street also be applied to this structure. 201 Pine Street, National Park Service. The National Park Service's proposed for this property was approved by the Architectural Committee with one question the number of brackets on the rainwater conducter and the wood fence unless they are proven historically correct. The Committee also agreed that an interim letter may be sent supporting
National Park Service. The National Park Service's proposed for this property was approved by the Architectural Committee with one question the number of brackets on the rainwater conducter and the wood fence unless they are proven historically correct. The Committee also agreed that an interim letter may be sent supporting this proposal as it was their opinion that the Commission would approve their recommendation. Architectural Committee Minutes 2 15 August 1974 RESUBMISSIONS 44 South Second Street, Evantaash Friedman Associates. The concept for this structure was approved by the Committee with the suggestion that door and window details be obtained from the Commission staff. The Committee also agreed that shop drawings, when completed, be submitted to the Committee for its review. PROBLEMS Germantown Stevens Academy, School House Lane and Greene Street, Emil Janelli, Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Janelli presented examples of roofing material obtained from the United States Roofing Company to the Architectural Committee for their review. The Commission staff also presented samples of Certainteed's Woodtex product. The Committee agreed that the Authority should look into Certainteed's roofing material as it concerns its appropriateness and cost for this structure. If this material is not acceptable to the Authority, then the staff after consulting with Mr. Magazine may approve the United States Roofing's product in a dark brown color. Naval Home, Gray's Ferry Road and Bainbridge Street. The Committee discussed the Naval Home and its being surplused by the Navy. The Committee recommends that the Commission send a letter to Mayor Rizzo recommending that the City acquire this property at no cost to Philadelphia except to maintain its historic character. This acquisition could take place under new Federal law with revenue from the property being earmarked for preservation in Philadelphia. The Committee suggested that this complex could be used for the upcoming Bicentennial. The Committee also agreed that if this recommendation is not acceptable to the City, the structure could be referred to the planning/architectural firm of Arthur Cotton Moore and Associates which is a firm from Washington, D.C., looking for endangered buildings in Philadelphia to develop. This to be done under Public Law 92-362, with title to be held by the City and all profits above and beyond maintenance to be used by the City for preservation as required by that law. Finally, the Committee recommended that this structure could be tied in with the improvements proposed for the Schuylkill River area.
Law 92-362, with title to be held by the City and all profits above and beyond maintenance to be used by the City for preservation as required by that law. Finally, the Committee recommended that this structure could be tied in with the improvements proposed for the Schuylkill River area. Reading Terminal Train Shed. The Committee recommended that, in order to urge the retention of the Reading Terminal Train Shed, the Commission send a letter to the City Planning Commission proposing that the train shed be retained for use as a bus terminal. (The Railways Company has expressed its interest in this purpose.) The Committee feels that since the shed must be underpinned during the construction of the Center City Commuter Connection Tunnel, the shed might just as well remain after the work is completed. 125 South Second Street. Mr. Magazine discussed with the Committee the cast iron front of 125 South Second Street and informed them of the theft in the middle of the night of the railings from the second story. Mr. Magazine also discussed the fact that the front was taken down after this incident and stored by the National Park Service on the site of the City Tavern. Since this still leaves the front in danger of theft and since, an accepted, the Girard Bank cannot use the front, the Committee approved Architectural Committee Minutes 3 15 August 1974 PROBLEMS (CONTINUED) the proposal to give the cast iron front to the firm of Decker and Borovsky. This firm has agreed to take the front and store it for up to three years until it can be used in Philadelphia in the same area from which it was removed. The Committee recommended that, since this proposal must be approved by both Washington and Harrisburg after receiving a favorable comment from the Philadelphia Historical Commission, a letter be sent as soon as possible to Mr. Wasser of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approving this transaction with the stipulation that drawings be submitted to the Historical Commission when the new installation is proposed. DEMOLITIONS 2304-2316 South Broad Street, A. Rota, Owner. The Architectural Committee reviewed the report of the staff on the demolition of the Marchglant Hall. The Committee agreed that this building should not have been razed and that, when the owner consults with the Commission regarding the demolition of the carriage house, he be urged to
A. Rota, Owner. The Architectural Committee reviewed the report of the staff on the demolition of the Marchglant Hall. The Committee agreed that this building should not have been razed and that, when the owner consults with the Commission regarding the demolition of the carriage house, he be urged to retain the structure. REHABILITATION SPECIFICATIONS 1018 Pine Street, Redevelopment Authority. The rehabilitation specifications of the Redevelopment Authority for this property were reviewed by the Architectural Committee. It was their opinion that the Authority should investigate the brick front under the paintstone. If the original front cannot be restored in the proper period, i.e., 1812, the brick could be stuccoed. Details for restoration may be obtained from the Commission staff. 440 Spruce Street, Redevelopment Authority. The Architectural Committee approved the rehabilitation specifications submitted by the Redevelopment Authority as they were expanded by Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom before her retirement. PLAQUES 199 Elfreth's Alley, Samuel Marineaul, Owner and Contractor. The Architectural Committee reviewed photographs of this structure before and after its restoration and noted that in the plans submitted the first floor window sash was four across. Since this was not carried out when the work was done, no plaque can be issued. Respectfully submitted, Diane DiFramonesco Secretarial Assistant