 MARCH/APRIL 2003 (XXXXI 2) |
Editor's Note: The following report comes from the Friends appointed by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting as its representatives on the policy-making General Committee of Friends Committee on National Legislation.
In the January/February issue we emphasized the spirit of hope we found at the 2002 annual meeting of Friends Committee on National Legislation. That hope continues to spring from the inspiring work being done by dedicated Friends in FCNL's Washington office building on Second Street NE across from the Hart Senate Office Building.
The building is ideally located for meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. However, an architectural and engineering study identified serious problems including:
- A deteriorating foundation subject to repeated flooding;
- A "patch work" heating and air-conditioning system about to fail;
- Inadequate wiring which leads to random blackouts;
- Some upper floor areas inadequately supported and a portion of the foundation totally unsupported, both conditions potentially dangerous;
- A roof soon to require total replacement;
Two years ago a team of architects and engineers set to work designing a project of partial demolition and reconstruction which would solve these problems and satisfy the requirements of city government agencies, including retaining the building's historic external appearance. As a bonus FCNL will also get:
- a 25% increase in usable building space;
- handicapped access throughout;
- increased internet access by providing appropriate wiring;
- energy-efficient architecture which will be consistent with the environmental values we advocate.
We are committed to informing Friends about this project and why we are personally committed to FCNL. Please invite us to come discuss this in your Meeting.
Margaret Mansfield (drebymans@igc.org), Irv Hollingshead (irvjenny@enter.net), Robert McKinstry, Darlington Hoopes Jr, Suzanne Day, Amy Brooks, JoAnn Seaver, Jenny Hollingshead
PYM Representatives to the General Committee of Friends Committee on National Legislation
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM