University City Science Center Celebrates 50 Years continued from page 1


of University Research Parks (AURP) International Conference in September, a call for nominations for a regional Innovators Walk of Fame, and a 50th


celebration scheduled for Oct. 17, 2013.


“As we embark on our 50th anniversary, we have two goals,” says Science Center President and CEO Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., MBA. “Not only do we want to honor our past, and the scores of innovators who have walked our halls and toiled in our labs, but we want to look ahead to the future of innovation in our great region. Computer scientist Alan Kay, who worked for


400 S. 40th continued from page 4


Operations, for Blue Rock Construction and David Hol- lenberg, the head architect for the University of Penn- sylvania. The UC Review was able to cover the testimony of Hoolehan, who was hired by Penn as a cost-estimator for rehabbing the mansion. If the current proposal moves forward, Blue Rock Construc- tion will manage the con- struction process


mony, McClure asked Hoole- han to review how much it would cost to rehabilitate the mansion based on a 2011 re- port completed by Blue Rock Construction. The report in- cluded details about rehabili- tating the original mansion as well as demolishing the additions made to it during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Throughout Hoolehan’s testimony, McClure tried to demonstrate that the cost of rehabilitating the mansion, $207 per square foot, was too expensive. McClure then took Hoolehan through the process he employed while cost-estimating the mansion’s rehabilitation before Penn applied for financial hard- ship. As Hoolehan explained, the process of cost estimating a project is a “conceptual exercise.” The cost estimator, takes the estimates back to the developer to determine whether or not the “project is financially feasible,” Hoole- han said. As Hoolehan went on to explain, the $207 per square foot is the lowest price the mansion at which the mansion could be rehabili- tated due to the fact “that the building is in poor-standing.” According to Hoolehan, the mansion has started to suffer structural damage. “The floor drops 8-10 inches in some rooms,” Hoolehan explained. Repairs to the building would also include address-


During Hoolehan’s testi- anniversary


Cheryl Paes and Jason Goodman in Integral Molecular’s lab at the Science Center. This shot is from spring 2011. Photo by Conrad Erb/courtesy of the University City Science Center.


three iconic tech companies: Apple, Disney and HP says: ‘The best way to predict the future is to invent it.’ As the Science Center celebrates its 50th


anniversary, we look


ing settlement issues, install- ing new sprinklers, pipes and electrical wiring. In addition, construction crews would also have to rip out the ex- isting walls, install a new ceiling and dry wall. “The repairs are not just painting the walls and installing some new carpets. They’re exten- sive,” Hoolehan noted. When it came to demolish- ing the additions made to the mansion during the 1950’s and 1960’s, Hoolehan ex- plained that the work would cost $230 per square ft. Many of the existing walls would “have to be rebuilt,” Hoole- han said when explaining the cost. “The work involved would lead to replacing the entire façade of the mansion,” Hoolehan added. During cross-examination, Boni tried to poke holes in Hoolehan’s testimony by comparing the cost of re- habilitating the mansion at $207 per square ft. in the 2011 report to an estimate Blue Rock submitted in 2010. He did this by reviewing the ex- pense reports for two similar projects devised by Azalea gardens before it submitted the 7-story graduate hous- ing project that would have been constructed beside the


Jimmy’s Angels


• • •


Cuts Curls Perms


Wednesday


SPECIAL Jerri Curl $35 & up


Sew-in $90


Weave Cap $70 (Bring your own hair)


5212 Chestnut St. 215-747-2091


www.phillyhairstylists.com Click on Jimmy’s Angels!


cartervester@aol.com


KIDS Haircuts $15


with Maria


with this ad (Exp. 1/31/13) Gift Certificates


3426 Sansom St. Philadelphia PA 19104 Tel. 387-8981


www.TheSaturnClub.com


forward to working with our region’s entrepreneurs and tech innovators as they invent our global future.” The Science Center is re- gional and collaborative by


restored mansion. Of the projects proposed before the 7-story housing was selected, one included a six- story apartment building in the building’s rear with the ground floor open to a com- mercial tenant. The other in- cluded restoring the mansion with a five-story addition to create a combination of con- dominiums and apartments. According to Boni, the cost for rehabbing the mansion under the condominium and apartment plan cost $147 per square foot. Hoolehan agreed with Boni’s statement. But Hoolehan also went on to ex- plain that there were a variety of reasons for why the cost increased. One of the most pressing reasons included the implantation of stricter EPA regulations with regard to storm water retention. As Boni compared cost es-


SATURN CLUB


The


nature and design. Nine months after the University of Pennsylvania President appointed a committee to study the concept of a sci- ence center in University City, five eds and meds or- ganizations joined forces to file articles of incorporation for the Science Center on October 28, 1963: University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Presbyterian Hospi- tal, and Temple University. They were joined in 1964 by Bryn Mawr College, Chil- dren’s Hospital of Phila- delphia, Lehigh University, Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, and


timates for earlier projects to the current project, he asked Hoolehan if the mansion could be rehabilitated for less money to different levels of quality.


could.


arguments at a future meet- ing before the L & I Review Board. Stay-tuned to the UC Review for updates.


Hoolehan agreed that it Penn will make its closing


Serving the West Philly and Center City communities since 1996


215.386.7720 • 43rd & Pine Visit us in our


newly renovated tattoo studio! Gift Certifi cates! Walk-Ins Welcome!


The Baltimore Avenue Business Association


along with Cedar Park Neighbors


will be hosting an event to raise funds to help the businesses and their employees that were affected by the fire at Elena’s Soul on Christmas Eve.


FUNDRAISER: Please come and help those whose business were damaged by the fire


WHERE: At The Cedar Works


4919 Pentridge Street Just South of Baltimore Avenue


WHEN:


Friday, January 25 from 7-10 PM


FEATURING:


Music, food, beverage, raffle and surprises


f


weeklypress.com • ucreview.com • January 23, 2013 5 38th


and Market, is currently


Thomas Jefferson University as the initial shareholders. Today the Science Center has 31 shareholders in Penn- sylvania, NJ and Delaware. Over the course of its 50- year history, the Science Center has grown from one building at 3401 Market Street that is now home to Drexel University’s ExCITe Center to 15 buildings on the stretch of Market Street that is officially known as the Avenue of Technology. The Science Center’s 16th building, at the corner of


under construction. The Science Center is scheduled to break ground on its 17th building, a residential proj- ect at 3601 Market Street, this fall.


The Science Center pio- a stni g r


Tt A


neered the concept of busi- ness incubation. Graduate organizations and current residents of the University City Science Center’s Port business incubators have created more than 15,000 jobs that remain in the Greater Philadelphia region today and contribute more than $9 billion to the region- al economy annually.


M-F 9-6 Sat 7-5


o


E


ot at


e v rl


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12