Okay, all right. Let me just. . . I won't read the entire testimony based on time, but I would like to say that this is a very important project to Penn in developing the Wharton program. We're here asking -- requesting your approval of the revision of the university's Institutional Development District plan, as approved, as you just heard, by the City Planning Commission on April 15th. This amendment is necessary for the University of Pennsylvania to move forward with the construction of this major new building. With me today, representing the University, is the Director of Facilities Services, Charles Newman, and he'll explain what the actual project will be.
Good 176 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 afternoon. Why don't you use the other microphone. Thank you.
Good afternoon. As Glen said, I'm Charles Newman. What I'd like to do in the interest brevity is come forward with the rendering of the building and give you a quick walk-through of what the building is going to be in general. If that's all right with you, I'll come forward. (Mr. Newman comes forward.)
This is an aerial view of the building, looking to the west. Okay, and this is Walnut right here. This street here is 38th Street. So we're at the southeast corner of 37 h 38th and Walnut. The existing parking facility is here. This is Huntsman Hall. It basically takes the entire site of the old bookstore area. There are basically three components architecturally to the building. There's a tower that's nine stories tall that sits at the corner of 38th and Walnut. There's a four-story wing along 38th Street and a three-story wing along Locust Walk, which ties in with the scale of the 177 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 fraternity houses along Locust Walk. The tower will basically house faculty houses and related seminar rooms. The two lower wings have classroom facilities in them, and the written testimony goes into some detail about the number of classrooms, etc. Basically, this building will be the main Wharton classroom facility moving forward. The former Steinberg-Dietrich Hall will continue to be a Wharton facility, but not the main classroom facility.
I wanted to ask you about that. Didn't the university do a fairly major either make-over or add-on or some renovation activity to Steinberg-Dietrich somewhere within the pest ten years? I think you kept the original facade of Dietrich Hall and added on Steinberg?
In the mid-1980s, Dietrich Hall was added on to the north, coming towards Locust Walk. And at that point, a number of 178 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 classrooms were created in the building and faculty offices. Four out of the ten Wharton academic departmental offices will move into this tower, relieving overcrowding in Steinberg-Dietrich. And with the exception of two large-tiered classrooms in Steinberg-Dietrich, all the other classrooms will move into this facility, and the remaining classrooms will be turned into office space.
The construction is roughly $85 million. I notice that the Planning Commission had mentioned 90. We have not bid the project as yet, so. . .
Jon Huntsman, an alumnus of the Wharton School, has given $40 million to the school. It's an unrestricted gift, but in 179 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 honor of his generosity, the school decided to name the building after him.
There's your opportunity, Madam President. It's only 40 million.
Okay. Well, we always go back to the old donors to see if there's room for a second yet. Let me ask you, the statement indicates there's going to be some 500 construction jobs. What procedures, if any, are in place to guarantee that the City's usual goals with respect to minority and female employment will be met? Is there an arrangement with the Urban League or with the City of Philadelphia, is there any process in existence?
In answer to your question,, yes, we have a program that we've instituted on all of our most recent projects -- the biomedical research building that went up and also the Sansom Commons project, which is down the 180 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 street. We have a community economic inclusion program that we do -- and Councilwoman Blackwell has been very much a part of making that happen to reach the numbers that in essence in some ways even surpasses the City.
And who does that? I mean, for example, if I wanted to get a report on what has been achieved in Sansom Commons to date or any other one, which would be the group to contact?
The Councilwoman, and I can all the -- you know, the Councilwoman gets all the reports.
And how are they involved in this? Do they officially play a role?
They're personally involved in all of our community economic inclusion programs. They play a role.
I don't quite -- 181 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 excuse me, sir. I don't know what "being involved" means. There is usually, for example, when we were talking about the Kvaerner project --
Are there any questions from members of the committee?
Madam President, let me say that we're sorry for the confusion today that you had to wait all day and we finally got it all down, but we have met in the past, we do support this. And, certainly, it will be of benefit to the university and to the surrounding community.
It's absolutely beautiful. Thank you. Thank you for your 182 5/25/99 RULES - BILLS 990255 patience.
Thank you. This concludes public hearing of the Rules Committee. - - -
We will now go into public meeting. The Chair recognizes DiCicco regarding Bill No. 990254.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Bill No. 990254 be held.
Is everybody in agreement? Okay, Bill No. 990254 will be held. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco regarding Bill No. 990255.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill No. 990255 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 990255 be reported out of committee with a favorable 183 5/25/99 RULES - Public Meeting recommendation. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter regarding the Institutional Development District amendment.
Madam Chair, I move that the committee move the revision to the University of Pennsylvania Institutional Development District Master Plan, southeast corner of 38th and Walnut Streets, as presented in committee. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion is carried. This concludes the public meeting of the Rules Committee. Thank you very much. (Adjourned at 2:44 p.m.) 184 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Tuesday, May 25, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON RULES BILL NO.'S 990254, 990255 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter