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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION <br />PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT <br />June 16, 2014 <br />Hello Commission! <br />Ahhhh, Summer! At least the rain has stopped for the moment and maybe <br />we can get some work done. There have been some naughty children out there doing <br />work without permits: 1524 East Wayne <br />1212 LWE... twice!!! <br />516 N St Joseph <br />1346 LWE <br />326 W Marion <br />In all honesty, I cannot blame contractors reputable or not for starting work <br />without a permit. Although the building department can fine up to 3-5 times what the <br />permit should cost they do not. The ONLY fine they have ever issued and collected is <br />framed on the wall like some kind of mediocre trophy. So most contractors know there is <br />no monetary penalty for not having a permit. As a matter of fact it behooves them to not <br />get a permit as they can just pocket the permit cost the homeowner has already paid them. <br />If they do get caught, they play dumb go downtown pay their permit and no penalty or <br />delay. The city does not red tag roof projects to avoid the liability if damage occurs <br />during time lost while getting permits. For a city and a department that is always <br />complaining about being a little short on cash, the five projects listed above are a fine <br />start. <br />Another dozen homes between Chapin Park and N St Joseph/Riverbend have <br />been turned in for excessive vegetation and trash in yards to code enforcement. <br />Code Enforcement has struck again!!! This time it is 213 E South Street. We <br />have placed several requests over the last two years for this building to be secured. The <br />property was behind tens of thousands in taxes. I asked Pete Mullen about this and even <br />gave him the address last fall. He offered the explanation that it was merely missed over <br />and should have been on the next tax sale which has come and gone. Please see attached <br />pictures and the damage one weekend can make. <br />On a happier note the Restore Michiana workshop for "Saving $$$ with Old <br />Windows" went even better than expected. I appeared on Experience Michiana last week <br />to promote the series as well as the tours coming up. I will not be giving the August 23 <br />bus tour since I have been invited to attend the advance cemetery repair workshop in <br />Indianapolis with the DHPA. I learned a great deal at the last one and they were so <br />pleased with my work, they signed me up for the second one immediately and with no <br />charge to me for the class. (It pays to pay attention) I will be cleaning some headstones in <br />July at City Cemetery. <br />=0 Thank you, <br />Steve Szaday <br />Preservation Specialist <br />