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County of St. Joseph, Indiana <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />MEMBERS <br />SOUTH BEND. INDIANA 46601 <br />TEL:(574) 235 -9534 FAX:(574) 235-7849 <br />CYNTHIA A. BOOLE <br />PRESIDENT <br />BEVERLY D. CRONE <br />VICE-PRESIDENT <br />MICHAEL J. HAMANN <br />August 1, 2002 <br />MEMBER <br />Mr. John Oxian, President <br />Historic Preservation Commission <br />Of St. Joseph County <br />227 W. Jefferson <br />South Bend, IN 46601 <br />Dear John: <br />The purpose of this letter is to express the Board Of Commissioners's support -for the City's <br />request to demolish the Oliver School building lo_ cated at 924 - W. Indiana Avenue in the Rum = - <br />Village Neighborhood (Tax ID 1880321418). <br />As you are well aware, over the last twenty years, due to deferred maintenance and neglect, the <br />Oliver School has gradually deteriorated and became a community eyesore. The building in its <br />present condition represents a safety hazard not only for Rum Village residents, but also its <br />visitors. Moreover, it damages the image of the area as an attractive place to live and do business <br />and may discourage people from moving into the area. <br />Recognizing the pressing need to improve the Oliver School site, the City of South Bend has <br />recently completed the Oliver School Reuse plan based on community input. It was determined <br />that because of its extreme deterioration and structural unsoundness, the building is beyond the <br />scope of reuse. To ensure maximum and best use of the property, the Plan calls for the School to <br />be demolished with a view to redeveloping the site into a combination of residential and <br />community service uses. <br />The preparations for the demolition of the Oliver School are under way. The reprogrammed <br />CBDG funds in the amount of $450,000 were appropriated by the Common Council following <br />the public comment period. The demolition is scheduled to begin in late September or early <br />October 2002. <br />We would appreciate your support for this high - priority project and your favorable consideration <br />of the demolition request at the August 7 public hearing. <br />Sincerely, <br />2 ynthia A. Bodle, President <br />St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners <br />