May 1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Recommendation: This building should be saved. It could be used as a small museum, visitors' center, office, etc. The small, very old building along Lafayette St. (west side) across from Transwestern should be reused as a city welcome center with an adequate parking area for auto, RV and bus traffic. Towns all across the country, many only a quarter of our population, have visitor centers that are heavily used and that are most informative. South Bend has never had anything worthy of the name. Use buildings No. 5, the Carpenter Shop, firestation, etc., which are connected, as a living museum of the era of Studebaker prior to their car -manufacturing period, and/or as a reception and information center for the Studebaker Corridor. Borden Buildina Agree with HPC study to retain Borden Building. The Borden Building could be reused as a first rate restaurant and/or theatre space. Save the Borden Building, if possible (asbestos pollution may cause a problem during demolition). Southern Hotel Recommendation: This building should be saved. Money designated for demolition should be spent to repair roof, windows, and to secure the building until a public use or private developer can be identified. The exterior of the building has interesting terra-cotta facade detailing and a fine canopy on the north. The building has a nice human scale and good proportions. Demolishing the building would create a vacant lot on an important corner, and severely damage what is left of the architectural integrity in the immediate area. An excellent condo complex could be developed in the Southern Hotel. The Southern Hotel can be easily marketed for transient housing and medical facilities on the first floor, or as a businessmen's hotel. South Bend Foundry Office The small former office building and the former very old foundry are of landmark quality and well worth reusing.