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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2002-0311 Property Location: 226 Hammond Place, South Bend Property Owner: Mary & John Graham Landmark or District Designation: Local Historic District, River Bend Rating: Non -Contributing STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT In 1904 Elihu Mendenhall purchased this property for $700, and built the present house on it. In May 1905, the Seth Hammond family purchased it, and rented it to Gertrude & William Nichols. The Nichols family purchased it from the Hammonds in September 1907, for $2,000, and lived there until 1920. William Nichols worked as a machinist, and was also part owner of the Auto Inn. In 1921, the property passed to Gertrude and Thomas Hayes. We are not sure, but possibly Gertrude Hayes was the daughter of Gertrude and William Nichols. Mr. Hayes was a gauge maker for the Studebaker Company. From 1950 to 1960, Bettie and Jason Hannon lived here, and worked (one or both of them) at Robertson's Department Store. In 1960, Alfreda and K.E. Gillette lived here. From that time forward, this house has been primarily a rental property. We are informed by the River Bend Liaisons that the * most recent tenants apparently did a phenomenal amount of damage to the house, and that it is consequently vacant, as it requires repair before it can be lived in again. In particular, several of the windows are badly broken. RECOMMENDATION Replacement of the broken windows should be approved, and should happen immediately. The owner proposes to replace windows, eaves, and soffits. I do not know whether the proposed replacements are in-kind, or are a change. The owners and their contractor(s) are all out -of state. If, between now and the Commission Meeting, I receive information that the - replacements are in-kind, then I shall immediately staff -approve them, and remove this item from the Agenda. If the proposed replacements are not in-kind, then I am presently unable to make a recommendation, lacking further information. But I do report to the Commission the Liaisons' opinion that the house is in bad condition, and that repairs should be expedited.