March 27, 2003

 

Councilman David Cohen

588 City Hall

Philadelphia, PA 19107

 

RE: Philadelphia Museum of Art Proposed renovation of Perelman Building

 

Dear Councilman Cohen:


The Fairmount Civic Association (“FCA”) is writing to you to express certain concerns held by the FCA membership, and the Fairmount neighborhood at large, about the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s plans to renovate the Perelman Building for use as exhibition space and offices.  The Perelman building is located on Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues and runs the block between 25th and 26th Streets.  Currently, it is not used as public space, but the Art Museum has announced plans for the expansion and renovation of the building that will open it to the public and, in the Art Museum’s own estimates, increase the Museum’s annual attendance by 100,000 to 200,000 people.  As we learned from a brief presentation at our February 27, 2003 general membership meeting, the plans include the construction of a three-story addition of approximately 40,000 square feet on the north side of the existing structure, an expansion of approximately 40% over the existing space.

 

Before briefly discussing the concerns that have been raised at this preliminary stage, we would like to be clear that the FCA membership overwhelmingly supports this project.  We appreciate the efforts the Art Museum has made to date to inform the FCA and to address concerns previously expressed by individual Fairmount neighbors.  As the project moves forward, we are hopeful that continued communication and cooperation will help the parties identify and address the impact of the project on the Fairmount neighborhood.  However, because the preliminary stages of the project are well underway, we thought it was appropriate to advise your office of the neighborhood’s concerns in the even that we eventually need to seek the city’s input when addressing our concerns.

 

The following items, which are not listed in any particular order of importance, will require close attention:

 

  1. The Architectural and Engineering Design of the Addition. The neighborhoods that are most closely adjacent to the Perelman Building (Meredith Street, Olive Street, 25th Street, 26th Street, and Perot Street) could be adversely affected by architectural and engineering design factors that would degrade the quality of life and reduce property values.  For example, the homes that border the existing courtyard would suffer from any design that blocks winter sun.  Also, the mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, etc.) need to be located and engineered in a way that their operation does not present the neighbors with noise, heat or other thermal impact, odor, or sight-line issues.

 

  1. Parking.  As you may know, on-street parking is a significant issue in Fairmount, particularly that part of the neighborhood that surrounds the large apartment buildings (the Philadelphian, 2601 Parkway) and borders Pennsylvania Avenue.  It is not an overstatement to say that there are far more cars than legal spaces in the neighborhood, and many of the residents suffer this problem continuously, both day and night.  A plan that intends to draw an additional 100,000 to 200,000 museum visitors per year but which does not address the impact on neighborhood parking will aggravate an already difficult situation among our residents.

 

  1. Construction and Operation.  We are concerned that the volume of construction traffic, while the project is underway, and service traffic, once the building is open, will overtax the capacities of 25th Street, 26th Street, and the surrounding east-west streets.  In addition to the traffic concerns, construction must be undertaken in a way that does not disrupt the livability of the surrounding neighborhood, and this should include measures to mitigate noise, dust, refuse, and other common construction problems.  Once the building is operational, measures must be taken to minimize the impact of deliveries, trash collection and building maintenance.  The designers need to carefully evaluate the impact of using the 25th Street or 26th Street entrances during operations, particularly in light of the more dense residential population on the 25th Street side.

 

  1. Scale and Appearance.  The neighbors on bordering streets face the unpleasant prospect of looking out at a blank wall or at a structure similarly intrusive and unpleasant, unless care is taken by the museum’s design team to create a facility that is properly integrated into the surrounding neighborhood appearance.  While the Art Museum’s presentation at our February membership meeting spent some time on the efforts to minimize the height and breadth impact of the new structure, it would be appropriate for the FCA, and the surrounding neighbors, to have ongoing input into these design aspects.

 

The above items represent a sampling of the issues that have been voiced since the Museum’s project has been brought to our attention. It is possible, as time goes on and the project becomes more developed, that we will have additional concerns, and we will be sure to raise them promptly.  I want to stress that all parties are expecting that the communication between the neighborhood and the Museum will continue to be as free-flowing as it has been to date.  However, it is important that the relevant departments of city government understand that the Fairmount neighborhood is facing a significant impact as a result of this project, and we intend to take all reasonable and appropriate measures to see that our residents’ concerns are given proper and due consideration during the construction and operation of the renovated Perelman Building.

 

We appreciate your consideration of the neighborhood’s views on this important project.

 

Respectfully yours,

 

Jose L. Rivera

President

 

 

cc:       Gail Harrity, COO, Philadelphia Museum of Art

Mayor John Street

Thomas J. Kelly, Chairman, Zoning Board of Adjustment

Robert J. D'Agostino, Administrator, Dept. of Licenses and Inspections

Ralph P. Blakney, Deputy Mayor for Community Services

Clarena Tolson, Commissioner, Dept. of Streets

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown

Councilman Darrell Clarke

Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr

Councilman James F. Kenney

Councilman W Thacher Longstreth

Councilman Angel Ortiz

Councilman Frank Rizzo