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As I am sure you can appreciate we have had a long history of being committed to the near downtown location, and in particular a long history of being committed to the near northwest side of our city. We want very much to be able to maintain that commitment. In the 1980's our congregation faced a significant crossroad with regards to its physical plant. We were in need of more space under roof for our growing membership. We were in need of additional parking to accommodate attendance at temple services, in religious school education, and in other temple functions. We were in need of important renovation of the building built in 1949; in order to preserve its structural integrity and enhance its warmth, attractiveness, and function. At that time we had a choice, one to leave the downtown area and perhaps acquire a large portion of land in the outskirts or suburban area of the city and build a new building; or two to stay, renovate, and expand our facilities at the Madison Street site. We chose this second option. Since then we have undergone not one; but, two extensive additions and modifications to our building. The most recent of which was the addition of a large classroom facility completed just recently in the latter part of the 1990's. At this time our facility is the dominant structure in the square block founded by Williams on the west, Madison on the south, Lafayette on the east, and Marion on the North. In fact, I think it is fair to say that Temple Beth -El is a very significant anchor to securing and maintaining the near northwest part of our city as a vibrant and viable neighborhood. It is this vibrancy I am sure that is in part given rise to the pro and opposed creation of the Chapin Park Historic District. It is not that we at Temple Beth -El are opposed to the establishment of such a district; but, it is out of a concern for our future growth and possible expansion that we are compelled to object to the boundaries of the district as they are proposed. Since we now occupy the entire eastern half of the square block that I referred to a moment ago, we can only grow to our west when it becomes necessary to enlarge our physical plant and growing needs. We can only look to the west when it becomes necessary for us to provide additional parking for our members in the use of their temple. We are extremely concerned that by including the area immediately to the west of our complex and the proposed historic district we will be unable to expand and grow in the future. I might add that we currently own two of the properties in question and they are presently used for parking, paved over with asphalt and not really worthy of preserving. Further, though I am certainly no expert as to the historic value of houses presently standing in the half block to our west, and though I certainly mean no discredit to those properties or their present owners, it does not appear to me that any of the houses in this immediate area, except for the one on Marion Street, are architecturally significant or that the proposed historic district would in any way be weakened or denied. If it is a desire of this commission to recommend to the South Bend Common Council that the ordinance creating the historic district be approved; then I hope you will make this recommendation contingent upon the ordinance being amended to fix the southern boundary as I have suggested. The future of Temple Beth -El may well hang in the balance. I might add one final point; that myself and other temple members would be willing to work towards a suitable compromise if our position is deemed unacceptable in your deliberations. DAVID MIRKIN — 112 W. Jefferson, Suite 400 -- Chuck Simon, President, Vice President.