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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2001-0824 Property Location: Leeper Park East Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or District Designation: Leeper Park Historic District STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT Leeper Park is a designed landscape located in South Bend, Indiana in a residential area immediately north of the downtown commercial district of the city. The park is situated on a tract of land at the base of a gently sloping terrace, fronting on the St. Joseph River. The site is bounded by the river on the north and east, Bartlet Street and Park Lane on the south; the western boundary of the park is defined by the toe of a steeply sloping hill at the top of which are the rear yards of homes of the city's Chapin Park Historic District. The park was designed by renowned landscape designer George Kessler. He laid out the plans of the park in 1912. In 1895; the City of South Bend purchased land east of Michigan Street and north of Bartlett Street for the purposes of developing a well field and water pumping facility. This purchase formed the nucleus of Leeper Park. In 1904, the city constructed a park drive along the riverfront extending along the eastern section and under the old Leeper (Michigan Street) Bridge. The roadway was officially named Riverside Drive in 1909. RECOMMENDATION The applicant is requesting the addition of new asphalt parking and streets along Riverside Drive between Bartlett and Michigan Streets, which will include erosion control and landscaping. This expanded parking should correct existing problems in the adjacent neighborhood. No trees will be removed and only a few bushes will be replaced. The design of the new lighting fixtures will match the existing lighting structures. The staff recommends the approval of this project.