The Residents of the 2500 Block of Meredith Street

Philadelphia, PA 19130

 

 

3 March 2002

 

Mr. George Ross

Manager of Capital Projects

Philadelphia Museum of Art

26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

P.O. Box 7646

Philadelphia, PA 19101-7646

 

Re:          Renovation of the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building

 

Dear Mr. Ross:

 

In response to the Art Museum's 30 January 2002 announcement that Gluckman Mayner Architects will design the renovation of the Perelman Building, and in anticipation that the proposed renovation will include the courtyard to the north of the building, we, the residents of the 2500 block of Meredith Street, wish to present to the Museum a list of concerns for consideration during the design process. At this time, these are:

 

1.             That an addition to the existing building or an alteration to the courtyard not block winter sun from entering the south sides of the homes bordering the courtyard;

 

2.             That those portions of the courtyard immediately adjacent to residential properties not be used for service functions (trash storage and removal, deliveries) or mechanical equipment; and that these functions and equipment, wherever located, are designed to minimize their visual and acoustical impact on the surrounding neighborhood;

 

3.             That service entrances to the site not significantly increase delivery traffic on the narrow residential streets to the north and to the east of the site (Meredith Street and 25th Street);

 

4.             That nighttime lighting not over-illuminate the site, and be designed to minimize the illumination of adjacent properties;

 

5.             That parking for the anticipated increase in visitors be provided on Museum or Park property and not on the streets of the surrounding neighborhood;

 

6.             That the neighborhood be given the opportunity to comment on the design of the renovation as it progresses;

 

7.             That the Museum provide the neighborhood with advanced notice of all construction activities scheduled to occur on the site, including those that are exploratory or preliminary in nature.

 

At your convenience, we ask that you review these issues and advise us how they might be incorporated into the design and approval process of the project.

 

Regards,

 

 

 

The Residents of the 2500 Block of Meredith Street

 

Contact:  Kevin or Vivian Rasmussen

2526 Meredith Street

Philadelphia, PA 19130

(215) 769-7034

suras@msn. corn

cc:           Ms. Anne d'Harnoncourt, Museum Director