May 6, 2003 -- The only graffiti remaining on Biddle Hall are a few tags on the boards over some windows.

U.S. Naval Asylum/Naval Home
Progress Reports from Toll Brothers

During the April 2nd hearing on the US Naval Home, Judge Seamus P. McCaffery strongly suggested that Toll Brothers instate regular communications with the City Attorney's office and City agencies to keep them informed of progress at the site. Toll has begun keeping a daily log of activities that is submitted to the City on a weekly basis. SOSNA is reviewing these progress reports and will offer summaries on this site on a regular basis.

April 30, 2003 - work underway on graffiti removal

April 30 - May 6

A team of representatives from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission, the National Park Service, the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Licenses and Inspection, historical architecture firm Campbell Thomas & Co. and engineering firm O'Donnell & Naccarato joined Toll Brothers representatives in an inspection of Biddle Hall. Campbell Thomas & Co. continues to monitor the ongoing tagging, removal and storage of fire-damaged portions of Biddle Hall. Masso Security Group is providing 24-hour security on the property.

Continuing work underway on site includes:

• Biddle Hall graffiti removal
• Tagging, removal and storage of fire-damaged portions of Biddle Hall (supervised by historic architects Campbell Thomas & Co. and structural engineers from O'Donnell and Naccarato)
• Research and detailed measurements for historic structures report
• Asbestos abatement and air quality monitoring
• Grounds clean-up by Futura Inc.
• Tree branch removal

In addition to work on site, Toll consultants and/or in-house designers are working on schematics for new townhouse product; preliminary site engineering; utility plan engineering; conceptual site planning; design of the Biddle Hall permanent roof; engineering of the Biddle Hall roof framing plan; design of Biddle Hall units; and design of new construction program and building types.

April 16 - 22

Historical Architecture firm, Campbell Thomas & Co., had representatives on site each day to monitor the ongoing tagging, removal and storage of fire-damaged portions of Biddle Hall. Dr. Richard Tyler of the City Historical Commission was on hand two days and a Licenses and Inspections official was on site an additional two days. Masso Security Group is providing 24-hour security on the property.

Work underway on site includes:

• Tagging, removal and storage of fire-damaged portions of Biddle Hall (supervised by historic architects Campbell Thomas & Co. and structural engineers from O'Donnell and Naccarato)
• Removal of two non-load bearing interim partition walls (supervised by Dr. Tyler)
• Stabilization of verandah columns
• Asbestos abatement and air quality monitoring
• Water pumped out of water valve pit
• Tree pruning

In addition to work on site, Toll consultants and/or in-house designers are working on preliminary site engineering; conceptual site planning; design of the Biddle Hall permanent roof; engineering of the Biddle Hall roof framing plan; design of Biddle Hall units; and design of new construction program and building types.

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SOSNA is the Neighborhood Advisory Committee for the area from South Street to Washington Avenue, Broad Street West to the Schuylkill River, funded by the Office of Housing and Community Development to provide citizen input into their redevelopment process in our community. SOSNA is a registered nonprofit corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Site contents copyright SOSNA except where indicated.