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CERT` -ATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF 'PORT <br />PROPERTY -- 739 Bronson Street <br />Solith Bond. Indi-1,111.".1 <br />OWNER -- Kathleen & Randy Hess (in default) <br />DESIGNATION -- Edgewater Place LHD <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />This one story cottage was constructed circa 1892 in the earlier Nineteenth' <br />Contiii-v section of the Edgewater District, It. is descrl.bc-d in the, Ttidi,'JIUA <br />Historic Sites and Structures Survey as a "gabled L". *rhe first shed attache'd <br />to the rear of the cross gabled section may have been original to the <br />0 <br />structure or a very early addition. The skirted porch is typical of early <br />Twentieth Century prairie design and was probably elt.her altered or added to <br />achieve this appearance. At the tittv. of the si.irvey the structure was 1': -It od <br />III -r"N11tr; hill- ; -w** -r- <br />I . . .. 1 r: '.. S I 1M.1 0 1 v <br />(jr)scured by aluminum siding. Study of the Sanborn Maps; foundations and other <br />construction materials indicates that the structure has been consecutively <br />added onto, subsequent to 1958, achieving its present plan since the survey in <br />1985. The interior has been dainaaed by fire which was snppros!:(-d 1)(Jore <br />causing serious structural damage. Subsequent removal of sections, of alinnitit.im <br />siding has revealed original siding, shingle and trim details whish -,how the <br />structure to be a "votirributing" rPsotirr(-,, -albeit in Poor i-ondit-liM. <br />Little is known of the early history of the builders or occupants. The 1914. <br />City Directory identifies rhe residents as Walter and Christine Avers and John <br />-AndHatt'I red*th. 14atter Avers apparently worked at. '01 In 1`)t6 tl..,o <br />le Me I <br />1)!_10r-,-1,., j,!:!--hown who later <br />in the .neighborhood . <br />PROPOSED CHANGE <br />The city of South Bend Division of Code Enforcement has requested the <br />demolition of the existing dwelling and fence at this location. <br />STANDARDS <br />V.A — Buildings in the district should not be -demolished. However, where a <br />building poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only <br />alternative, documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other <br />descriptive methods should be made of both the interior and exterior of the <br />building. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Th(- structure, though damaged, is not. beyand repair. Any sj_tntfl,oant threat. I,(-) <br />Uio public safety would resul.t from failure to properly secure the sLruct-LIVO, <br />and not from imminent collapse. Some later additions at the roar as descrthod <br />negative effect. on thc: hisr.oric fzibric., howc!ver wholesale demotit-jon is rit't <br />at thi,; impo(Jimont-S ro .11,1'. <br />uhe property are nor strurt.ttr.al., but. lt:gal, result-Lng From a quagmire of <br />clainir, to owtiorship by individata ic; of unknown whereaboims, <br />which is in --!0 vn%: <br />1(?- It: wnithrl I,— <br />unfortunate to lose significant-. historic context: as a result of lack of legal <br />attention. Staff recommends denial 01 the application for demolition and <br />t affirmatively recommends attention and cooperation among agencies and other <br />concerned parties to resolve the issues of ownership and locate awlllin-_ind <br />a la 16:AeVeloger' far the property:' <br />