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08026 S/11 21405 New Road Residence 08016 S/11 21384 Madison Road George Phillips Farmhouse 08017 S/11 21595 Madison Road George Fox Farmhouse 08032 C/10 21950 Roosevelt Road Barn 08031 C/10 21793 Roosevelt Road Barn James Vandenbosch Farmhouse & 08013L 0/13 L 61955 Locust Road Barn 09022 S/11 09019L S/11 L 09020 C/10 09058 C/10 09057 S/12 60800 Myrtle Road 59375 Myrtle Road 59701 Myrtle Road 23014 State Road 23 22727 State Road 23 Residence Jaboc Russell Farmhouse & Barns Residence Residence Residence V c. 1895 V 1863 QA c. 1895 Agri c.1900 Agri c.1900 2E 1876 V c. 1895 GrR 1840 V c. 1890 GrR 1870 QA 1911 Unfortunately, Route B would threaten two landmarks and could possibly impact the historic concentrations to the west if much future development occurs. This plan also draws the freeway further to the west of the current US 31, and away from South Michigan Street and downtown South Bend. Staff finds this approach slightly more favorable than Alternative A, but less favorable than other alternatives because Option B could possibly harm two landmarks and would not approach South Bend's downtown from South Michigan Street. Alternative C The third alternative, Alternative C, continues to follow the Penn Central/Conrail railroad corridor into Centre Township and South Bend until US20. Option C may directly threaten 08026 (a vernacular residence at 21405 New Road that rated S/11), 08016, the George Philips Farmhouse, 08014, a contributing Federal style farmhouse, and possibly 08009, a contributing American Foursquare; yet, it seems that these could be structurally retained with some loss of property. It will affect one structure that rates an Outstanding/13, the D. F. Bailey bank barn that Andrew Toth designed in 1940. Overall, this US 31 possibility will threaten fewer historically rated structures and no landmarks in comparison to Alternatives A and B. Because Alternative C does not shift US 31 too far from its current path, this possible road right of way may provide the city with an opportunity to enhance the southern entrance of the city even though traffic will be shifted from the current South Michigan Street entrance. This may be a good end result because the fast moving traffic could be diverted from Michigan Street, and thus increase the possibility of enhanced commercial and retail operations approaching downtown as well as the creation of a more vibrant, high-density urban environment than exists at this time. This placement though would end any chance for the reuse of the railroad right of way and the retention of the corridor's presence in the county landscape as a marker of historic period. Because C does not impact any landmarks nor any pocket of historic structures and only affects a few historic buildings, staff finds that alternative C has far fewer drawbacks than A and B and many of the other options, such as E, G, H, and I. Alternative D Alternative D mostly follows the Penn Central/Conrail corridor except it may curve to the east along US 20 and then rejoin US 31. In addition to the structures threatened by alternative C, option D may affect the property of 08009, an American Four-square at 20545 Johnson Road. This possible route does draw the freeway back toward the current US 31 path and S. Michigan Street. Although some highly rated structures would be affected, no current landmarks would be affected by this route. Though the roadway may cover the RR corridor, Alternative D's position is located close enough to the current US 31 as to allow for development in a possibly already built-up commercial zone. Thus, the county's rural landscapes would be preserved for a time from future possible encroachment of low-density suburban type commercialization. Staff finds that Option D is more favorable than C and several other options because of the reasons stated above and because this option will draw traffic to S. Michigan