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REGULAR MEETINGOCTOBER 8, 2007 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />building with a distinctive design height or sighting and sets it apart from its <br />surroundings. Historic Preservation is the process of preserving part of a community <br />from and individual building or part of a building to a whole neighborhood because of its <br />historic importance. Preserving buildings, structures and neighborhoods enhances the <br />unique character of a place and maintains the historic build environment. Preservation <br />also helps maintain identity and educations a people about a community’s history. Many <br />communities use Historic Preservation as an economic revitalization tool. The <br />community desires development that sensitively historic structures and the adaptive reuse <br />of historic buildings in the downtown and throughout the city. Listed under objectives <br />and policies inside the chapter on education it goes on to say: “Coordinate the planning <br />and development of educational facilities 5.4 encouraged preservation and rehabilitation <br />of older school structures when considering future growth.” Preservation standards do <br />not impose enormous restricts counter-productive to a buildings purpose. Mr. <br />Klusczinski, stated that is a myth. The proposed Group B standards fully support the <br />adapted reuse of any building designated under those criteria. Marquette is not a <br />museum, it is a school. As educational objectives change so may the configuration, <br />interior remodeling, exterior additions are permitted, mechanical upgrades such as air <br />conditioning, energy efficiency and ADA requirements can all be satisfied. Marquette is <br />definitely not a period restoration project nor should it be. Rehabilitated historic <br />buildings can even become brand new facilities on the inside where it matters the most. <br />Anyone familiar with the Madison or Jefferson Primary Center’s to be true, both <br />buildings are symbols of pride, both are Historic Landmarks. By some estimates our <br />nation foster a 30 billion dollar industry promoting the replacement of existing school <br />buildings, this is tragic and unnecessary. Propaganda feeds this animal by perpetuating <br />many falsehoods as is often the case demolition and disposal costs are sometimes absent <br />from the initial construction proposals. Rehabilitation is generally the most cost effective <br />solution. Students can learn in older buildings too, if they couldn’t Universities across <br />the country including Notre Dame would not be considered Institutions of Excellence. <br />They embrace older buildings along with tradition which it would be wise to follow their <br />lead. Many appreciate the charm and character of historic buildings for their display of <br />craftsmanship and detail. They just don’t build them like that anymore. While many <br />advances have been made from new technology, today’s construction practices focus <br />much less upon art and durability as they did in the past. Modern buildings tend to be <br />more generic, more disposable, and more expendable. He noted that we know how to <br />build faster; while this has its place one must remember that with any replacement history <br />is not transferable. Once destroyed forever lost, we never get old buildings back, we lose <br />a part of the story, a part of our hometown and break the connection with the past. <br />Landmark status is an honor; preservation encourages sustainable environment, <br />productive spending, creative solutions, economic sense and a stronger community. He <br />urged the Council for their favorable and unanimous recommendation of Marquette <br />School at 1905 College Street as the next local landmark to the City of South Bend, <br />Indiana. <br /> <br />Mr. Bill Latoza, Senior Principal and Founding Partner in BauerLatoza Studio, Gary, <br />Indiana and Chicago, Illinois. <br /> <br />Mr. Latoza stated that they are nationally recognized firm in school rehabilitation and <br />new schools. He stated that it is a pleasure to be before the South Bend Common Council <br />and address the Landmarking of Marquette School. He had the opportunity a few months <br />ago to walk through the school and due a quick assessment and then give a little talk <br />about it. He stated that he was very excited to do this and found it to be a wonderful <br />school in the City’s portfolio. The majority of his school work has been done in Chicago, <br />Illinois, although he has done school projects from New York to California. Restored <br />American Indian Schools from the 1920’s in the Great State of North Dakota and done <br />similar type work in Florida. In Chicago he has the opportunity to lead the 2 billion <br />dollars rehabilitation new school program. They rehabilitated over 574 schools. It was <br />an enormous project and they have been working on it for eight (8) years and are very <br />close to completing it. One of the things that they have been able to do within their <br />program is to landmark certain schools. Right now in Chicago under this 2 billion dollars <br />rehab program that they have been working they have almost ten percent of their schools <br />are local landmarks and a little less than five percent are federal. They are very proud of <br />that and it is no prohibitive or at added additional cost to any of the work that they have <br /> 8 <br /> <br />