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>- r 1 environmental issues. After this study was made available to the interested parties ( HPOCA, City, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, and the St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission) negotiations began that would have kicked off the development process. The HPOCA continued to express an interest in developing the buildings into a museum despite the high projected costs. However, the group expressed their desire to lease rather than purchase the buildings because of their concerns over the environmental condition of the property. The City agreed to partner in that effort, but expressed its interest in an outright sale of the property and its unwillingness to provide ongoing subsidies to the new museum organization since it already has financial commitments to several other museums. The City received a letter from the HPOCA president dated April 16, 2003 that expressed the organization's decision to no longer pursue the development of a museum at the Oliver Chilled Plow Works site. They made this decision because of the potential for environmental complications, the high cost of stabilization and renovation, and because another site better suited their needs. This group was the best hope for the reuse of Forge Shop #2. Without their interest or involvement, the City is left with a property that is not marketable because of the extremely high estimated costs for stabilization and renovation. Given the nature, location, and condition of the structures, it appears that the reuse potential is hopeless. With the interest of the HPOCA gone, renovation and reuse of the structures does not appear likely. No other entities have shown a desire to reuse the buildings in any capacity, and given their deteriorated condition and the associated costs of renovation, it would appear that development of the site is not feasible. We are requesting permission from the SHPO to demolish the Forge Shop #2 buildings using federal funds. The City is proposing a mitigation of this demolition, and any adverse effects arising from it, that would entail conducting a detailed inventory of the structures and photographically recording all significant elements of the Forge Shop #2 buildings and conditions as they exist at present. We would like your organization's input so that we can begin the process of removing these deteriorated and derelict buildings from the neighborhood. I would appreciate a letter expressing your opinion on this matter before July 1, 2003. If you have any questions please contact me at 245 -6112. Sincerely, i� /I Andy Laurent Economic Development Specialist City of South Bend