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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />Date: April 5, 2007 <br />Application Number: 2007 -0405A <br />Property Location: 111fLincolnway West <br />Property Owner: Abandoned House <br />Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark <br />Rating: Significant <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT: This 1903 Queen Anne was built for <br />Anna and George Secor. They lived in the house for ten years until it was purchased by Laura and <br />Thomas Jackson. It remained in the Jackson family until 1952. The house was landmarked in March, <br />2003. The owner of record was not in residence at that time and it has remained unoccupied. The structure <br />had been left to deteriorate since 2001 and has been the site of numerous break -ins over the years. There <br />was a fire in October, 2005. The house went into foreclosure but was sold at a tax sale in 2006. <br />APPLICATION ITEMS: The house is abandoned. The City of South Bend Code Enforcement proposes <br />to-demolish all the structures, fill the lot and resurface with top soil and seed. <br />RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. There was a major fire at this home in October, <br />2005. Prior to the fire the staff had been unsuccessfully attempting to contact the homeowner, and later the <br />mortgage company, concerning the deteriorating condition of the exterior of the home. The house then <br />became the target of thieves, vandals and then arsonists. It was purchased in February, 2006. The Preservation <br />Specialists from HPC and HLFI attempted to assist the new owner's contractor. The contractor never affected <br />the repairs. The house has been minimally secured against the elements since 2005; it is now considered <br />abandoned and beyond repair. <br />