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S' <br />STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />Date: 05 July 2016 <br />Application Number: 2016-0705A <br />Property Location: 108 N Main Street <br />Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Neo-Classical/1910/Solon Beman and H.G. <br />Christman builder <br />Property Owner: JMS Development, LLC — Ryan C. Rans <br />Landmark or District Designation: Local Historic Landmark <br />Rating: Outstanding <br />DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: John Mohler Studebaker built this eight story Neo -Classical style <br />office structure in 1910. The fagade is comprised of six bays to the west and three to the south and is covered with <br />white terra cotta classical detailing. It is also clearly divided into three registers that are separated by strong <br />projecting and intervening cornices. The bottom of each cornice is punctuated by volutes and honeysuckle designs <br />placed between each bay. <br />The middle of the structure is articulated with a three bay system, which continues to the second intervening <br />cornice, once again embellished with classical detailing. The top floor is further distinguished by the use of arched <br />bays, which are topped by elaborate egg and dart molding. The overall decorative detail of the structure tends to <br />reflect the impact of the Colombian Exposition of which the architect, Solon S. Beman, was a major participant. <br />However, the frank expression of the steel frame links the building to the Chicago School of skyscraper <br />construction. <br />The building has a flat roof with robust projecting cornices that have egg and dart molding and decorated voluted <br />brackets. The windows are 1/1 double hung with simple decorated spandrels, except for the eighth floor, which has <br />round even spans and cartouche keystones. <br />ALTERATIONS: The structure has a modern aluminum store front entrance and further modern black stone <br />fronts along the street. Vinyl has been added to the arches on the top story windows. Concrete has been applied <br />over the north side bricks. Existing vinyl/aluminum windows are currently undergoing replacement to a historically <br />appropriate Quaker style aluminum that will restore all full original window openings, including arched heads. <br />APPLICATION ITEMS: Installation of signage, storefront material, awnings, closing up of windows behind the <br />elevator core which are not visible from the street, cleaning and tuckpointing of masonry, removal of non-visible <br />skylights/vents on the roof which are not visible on the 81' floor, and installation of a stair tower and trash chute on <br />the northern fagade of the building. <br />DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The contractor HGR Services submitted application for multiple <br />projects to further the adaptive reuse as the "Studebaker Lofts", several of which are in-kind. <br />1. Install three signs (for Centier Bank). Proposed for the southwest corner of Main and West Washington Streets is <br />a blade sign, 5' wide x 26' high x 32" deep, internally illuminated LED, reading, "Centier Bank" and "ATM", three <br />brackets in rendering appear to attach to building, unsure of details of how they will attach to masonry. Proposed <br />for the east elevation is a "Centier Bank" and firework design face -light LED sign, 14'-5" wide x 27" high, <br />mounted on raceway, unsure of details of how raceway will attach to masonry. Proposed for the north elevation is a <br />"Centier Bank" and firework design face -light LED sign, 33'-7" wide x 7'-0" high, mounted on raceway, unsure of <br />details of how raceway will attach to masonry. Group B Standards for Local Landmarks state that it is important to <br />maintain the character of a landmark. Sign standards specifically state "No neon or flashing signs will be permitted <br />unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and super -graphics will also be disallowed. Only one <br />appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business." South Bend Code 21-07.03 restricts the size of signs. <br />South Bend Building Design Guidelines limit the size of wall signs to 36 sq. ft. Projecting signs are limited to 18 <br />sq. ft., and a sign may project no more than 36" beyond the face of a building. Understanding is that the tenant is <br />working with Vanadco Signs to coordinate a variance filing with City. <br />