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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2000-1201/Alteration to 2000-0825 Property Location: 804/832 N. Lafayette Property Owner: South Bend Community School Corp Landmark or District Designation: LL Rating: S/11 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT This school was built in 1930 by the South Bend Community School Corporation. Prominent local architects, Austin & Shambleau, designed the building and the construction contract was awarded to H.G. Christman & Company. The school was dedicated in February of 1930 during a ceremony to honor the memory of Miss Winona Dodd, principal of the Old School. The building accommodated 600 students and was completed at a cost of $275,000.00. This is the third James Madison School, the first being built in 1862 at the northwest corner of Lafayette and Madison which was replaced in 1893 by a red brick Romanesque style schoolhouse. The second school building was used as offices until 1948 when it was demolished to make way for the Temple Beth -El. RECOMMENDATION The Preservation Guidelines for Local Landmarks follow the Rehabilitation Model. Group Standards The applicant is requesting to change the previously approved replacement windows do to budget constraints. The staff has three concerns regarding the new Pella windows, they are: the very skinny center divider, the fact that either the window does not fit the opening or there are still some pieces of trim missing around the outer edge of the units and lastly the metallic gold coating on the blinds. All of the original windows as well as the previously approved replacement window had a wider more prominent center post. The new windows lost this detail - - because of wider glass panels. Upon further inspection of the window, wood shims are -- clearly visible along the top and left side of the unit. The staff is not clear on how these gaps are to be addressed. The windows also have built in shades, per code requirements; however, when these shades are closed they are coated on the back with a metallic gold color, which is really distracting and blinding in the sun. The staff requests that the issue of the center post, top and side gaps and metallic blinds be addressed before a recommendation can be given.