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May � L ZOO-:T- My ooms My name is Joan Downs-Krostenko and I am a member of the Chapin Park Historic District Board, the Near Northwest Neighborhood Board and the Portage Avenue Steering Committee Board. I have a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, I am a professor at IUSB and an architectural historian. I stand hePtonight to voice my support for the bestowing landmark status on M4uette Primary School. I address myself not only to the Historic Preservation Commission but to`'the members of the public and the School Corporation who are present here tonight. Many points can be made regarding the benefits of preserving, refitting and renewing an existing historic school building. -Among these points is the one proven to be fact more than 600 times in Chicago, namely that it is cheaper to renovate than rebuild. In the last decade the CPS have embarked on a massive school rehabilitation program and saved more than 600 of there 190' and early 20'h century schools from the wreaking ball primarily because it was shown that restoration would cost less than half of new construction per square foot. -What kind of message do we send when we over spend, and spend over and over, to buy a new product (a school)? What kind of future citizens are we cultivating when we say with our actions that all things are consider things eternally replacable? Are we declaring our fiscal responsibilty? Are we loading -up the land -fills with our past with the broken remains of buildings constructed and designed by craftsmen in order to line the pockets of contractors and consultants? -What kind of message do we send our children when we do R t conserve and preserve our architectural patrimony? What institution is more central to a child's experience of public life than their school. The preservation of a school is a message of conservation of energy, tradition, community and history. It is a way of showing respect for the efforts and energies of those who came before us. It is a way of saying we value and respect our own talents and endevors and expect them to be similarly lasting. -Everyone knows that historic preservation stablizes and enhances property values. Progressive and economically vital areas have been preserving and conserving for 50 years. No one in San Francisco or Boston was bulldozing 19'h and early 20th century buildings in 1960, why are we considering it today? v -The Motesorri circulum can be implemented in any kind of educational space. While certain features of space and light and other practical amenities are useful, there is no stipulation that I know of which says that Montessori's are only successful in classrooms and other educational spcaes of restricted specifications. Marquette School can be refitted to serve a Montessori Academy, something which will indeed make a fine contribution to the magnet school line up here in South Bend. %-Vo DOwr-i 64 9 Forte} Av-e