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"^t STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 05/10/04 Application Number: 2004-0501- 2 Property Location: 830.N Michigan Street Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark in Leeper Park (Local Landmark), Leeper Park National Register District Rating: Outstanding STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT, The North Pumping Station stands grandly in Leeper Park, one of South Bend's finest parks. The pumping station was built in 1912 during the City Beautiful era when civic pride was elegantly revealed and trumpeted in works of civic architecture and the development of public parks. (In 1911, the Board of Park Commissioners hired George Kessler to prepare a master pian for a park and boulevard system.) Landscape architects, city officials and others hoped the natural settings cultivated in public parks would increase the health of the nation's cities. Providing clean water to residents was and still is an important civic responsibility. Constructing buildings with many decorative Neo -Classical features broadcasted to the public the city's fulfillment of its duties to create a healthy (and beautiful) environment and provide basic services to the community. The East and Central portion of Leeper Park were planned and designed with passive recreation and the natural environment in mind. The views and vistas of the Saint Joseph River, the island, natural elements, and the buildings constructed with human hands over the course of the park's lifetime maintain the natural and designed beauty of Leeper Park. APPLICATION ITEMS: Install 21' wide by 9' tall black vinyl coated chain link double swing gate RECOMMENDATION The eastern portion of Leeper Park is perhaps one of the loveliest parks in South Bend. Nature's beauty enhanced by the tree canopy, unfenced expanses grass, the river, and the island surround exceptional examples of architecture: the Navarre Cabin, the Zeigler theatre, the reservoir, and especially the North Pumping Station. These undisturbed and panoramic views and vistas of both the natural and architectural elements within the eastern section form the basis of landscape design theory working in this park, which so many people enjoy. In the case of this application, one must be sure the public's experience and overall enjoyment of the North Pumping Station, Leeper Park and landscape views are not compromised while the safety and security needs of the North Pumping Station employees are reasonably met. The enjoyment of the park stems from its views and vistas of the river, the North Pumping Station, and its other features. According to the Leeper Park standards, the views and vistas of character defining features of the park in the eastern and central sections are the primary features that shall be preserved. (See Section 9.2) The North Pumping Station as an outstanding example of the City -Beautiful civic