October 1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT PROPERTY -- 643 & 647 River Av. South Bend, Indiana OWNER -- Michael Beatty DESIGNATION -- Edgewater Place LHD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The existing dwelling located at 647 River Av. was constructed circa 1882 (assessor card) -1889 (plat date). Little is known of the builder or early residents. 647 was found to be vacant in the 1914 city directory and occupied in 1916 by Adelbert Cottrell. This site is located in the Harper Court Addition, the second area to be platted in the older Nineteenth Century section of the Edgewater Local Historic District. The existing dwelling is a 1 1/2 story frame structure with a two story (shed ?) addition at the rear. It would appear that the addition has been altered or added to in the modern period. The vacant lot located at 643 River Avenue was once the location of a 1 1/2 story frame dwelling with a single story (shed ?) section at the rear. This was very similar to the dwelling structure under present consideration. This structure constructed circa 1882 (Assessor card) was still extant as recently as 1958. PROPOSED CHANGE The Owner of 647 River Av. proposes to excavate and construct a basement on the vacant lot at 643 River Av. and then move the existing residence from 647 to rest over the new basement at 643. The proposed new foundation is to be of concrete block. Miscellaneous in-kind repairs to siding and trim have been included in the project description. One mature tree will require removal to accomplish the move. STANDARDS V.B - The moving of a building within .... the district is discouraged, however moving is preferred to demolition. RECOMMENDATION The existing structure presently rests too close to finished grade, especially at the south corner. The proximity to soil at this location has let do deterioration through rot and insect infestation. Most other existing structures in the vicinity have at some time.been elevated with basements or crawl spaces developed beneath. The Owner has determined that the elevation of this structure is more economically feasible by the proposed house move strategy than by attempting to raise the structure and build basement below. Staff has determined through discussion with the state Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology that the proposed house -move would not have negative effect on the eligibility of the Edgewater District or the contributing status of structure in question for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed relocation on an adjacent lot replacing a similar structure which was historically present does not violate the integrity of the historic context and will significantly contribute to the long term preservation of the extant historic fabric.