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The heavy use the building has received has, of course, made some changes necessary over the years. The original glazed tile roof has been replaced, and aluminum siding and storm windows and doors have been added. This has not, however, reduced the building's essential grace or significance to the neighborhood. RECOMMENDATION This site and structure should be recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Landmark. The South Bend Municipal Code, Sec. 21-117.2, provides that: "The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the following powers and duties: (a).... (d) ... Survey, identify, plan for and advise the Common Council concerning the designation of historic landmarks. (1) The Historic Preservation Commission shall recommend the designation of historic landmarks and the establishment of historic preservation districts on the basis of historical and cultural significance, educational value and suitability for preservation." The local historic value of this building is immense, as its very construction is the result of a unique merger between cooperative neighboring communities, during a period of great growth, urbanization, immigration, and cultural change in our community. Similarly, the way in which government and public safety functions were merged cooperatively with the daily life of the residential neighborhood has a cultural significance that is increasing as public safety forces across the United States are returning to that tradition. This building has educational both from an architectural aspect, and from a firefighting history aspect. Its architecture, as discussed above, is unusual, elegant, and distinctive. More importantly, the building has served an active company from the days when horse drawn fire engines were just being phased out, to the present day, when the computer room is an important part of the stations' function, and the stations' rapid -response team can serve and assist the whole city. A tour or study of the building illustrates this history better than any book or video could do — and it is still in the neighborhood of schools and homes. For the reasons set out in the Ordinance, this building merits the landmark status that its neighbors request for it.