10606-18 Establishing Civil Rights Heritage Center as Historic Landmark Status

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BILL NO.33-18 ORDINANCE NO. 10606-18 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA,AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE CIVIL RIGHTS HERITAGE CENTER FORMERLY THE ENGMAN NATATORRJM,AND LOCATED AT 1040 WEST WASHINGTON STREET,IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The building and a portion of its exterior grounds including the former pool now a reflecting garden,located at 1040 West Washington Street(the"Property"), in the City of South Bend, Indiana, currently known as the Civil Rights Heritage Center, and formerly as the Engman Natatorium, an all-white "public pool" from 1922 until its integration in 1950, played a unique role in the civil rights history of South Bend. The current owner of the Property has petitioned the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County (the "Commission") to have the Property designated as a Historic Landmark pursuant to South Bend City OrdinanceNo. 5565-73,as amended. The Property is now a site for the recording, preservation, and highlighting of the struggles of all people for equal rights and social justice. The Property was opened 1922, and is recognized in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory of South Bend with a rating of"Outstanding" meaning that the property may be eligible forNational Register listing. The Commission's staff prepared a report and recommendation for the Commission, as did the Commission's Historic Landmarks Committee, both of which reports were approved by the Commission at its meeting on July 16, 2018. At that time public hearing was held and the Commission unanimously approved a Resolution recommending that this Council designate 1040 West Washington as a Local Historic Landmark. (Exhibit 1 hereto). The building meets the criteria in at least three areas. Historical and cultural significance. When it opened in 1922 as a"Public Bath House and Swimming Pool"the Natatorium excluded African American persons. Around 1946 after the Natatorium was about to be reopened after closure for repairs,local civil rights activist and lawyer Chester Allen requested that because there were over 5,000 citizens of color living in South Bend,that all racial restrictions be dropped so that all persons could use this public building.The race restrictions were not lifted at that time, but a schedule was later arranged so that African Americans could use the pool. The pool was fully integrated in 1950. The historical significance of this structure is best captured by a statement from George Garner,Curator of the Civil Rights Heritage Center: "No other building in the City speaks to the history of the African American experience like the Natatorium...We believe that activism works best when rooted in an understanding of the challenges communities have faced for generations and the experiences of those who had fought for positive changes." Its suitability for preservation. The building was constructed in 1921-1922 and was designed by Walter W. Schneider,a local architect of note,to model the Culver Natatorium and also the Chicago Athletic Club. The Natatorium was constructed with a top of the line heating system and innovative plumbing and pumps. It is Neo-Classical in design. In 2010 extensive modifications were made resulting in the building's current configuration. At that time portions of the actual pool were demolished and replaced with a contemplative garden. Educational Value. The basic form and structure of the original 1922 building is intact, with the fagade remaining virtually unchanged and the interior and back two thirds of the original building adopted for 20th century usage. The major exterior change in 2010 consists of