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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF DEMOLITION Date: 31 May 2016 Application Number: 2016-0531 Property Location: 838 Park Avenue Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Free Classic/1904/Dundee House Property Owner: Maurice and Kristin Shrader-Frechette Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local and National Register Historic District Rating: Non-contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: The two and one-half story house has an irregular plan. The foundation is stone, and the hip roof is covered with asphalt shingles. A hexagonal tower is located on the northwest corner. The entry porch, on the southwest corner, has wooden columns and a stone railing. Brick and stone are combined on the walls; randomly coursed stone is found on the first level, and brick in a stretcher bond on the second. Brick and stone are separated by a band of cut limestone. Windows are 1/1 with segmented arches capping the second floor windows. Brick driveway on south side leads to one- story hip -roof garage/carriage house in rear. ALTERATIONS: COA 2009-1007 allowed replacement/repair of small chimney in rear of house. COA 2008-0421 allowed in-kind replacement of concrete front steps and black wrought -iron handrail. APPLICATION ITEMS: Jerry Reed Excavating will tear down garage/carriage house by hand, as alleys site are too close to neighbors for large equipment that could damage something. Slab will remain & owners will later apply for wooden fence around slab. See attached for full description of work. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Owners propose demolition of the deteriorated garage/carriage house at the rear of property. Although their original intent was restoration, five building contractors have inspected the site and believe demolition is necessary; all agree the 110 -year-old structure is "a serious liability and safety threat, given its unstable condition, collapsing roof, and crumbling, bowed brick/stone walls." The building will be taken down by hand as there is insufficient room for large excavating equipment. Debris will be hauled from site, and the slab will remain, with plans for a COA application to install a wooden privacy fence enclosure in the future. PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: December 14, 2015. The garage is a whopping 18 x 48 feet (approximately), 5 door structure constructed of wood frame atop of sculpted concrete block. The door at the driveway is a segmented lift door where the other 4 are sliding horizontal doors. The roof is collapsing in spots as well more than half of the trusses as well. The wall on the SW corner is bowed and leaning approximately 3 inches outward from top to bottom. There are structural splits in the mortar and in between many of the blocks as well as a split in the rear (east) wall that is large enough for my hand to fit into. The garage appears to have been enlarged at one point as a 2" cement curb is evident about 10 feet from the south wall or just outside the driveway lift door. The Portage township assessor's card dated 1949 details lists the garage whereas the 1930s version detail does not. The roof is no longer structurally stable. New trusses, decking, and of course shingles will need to be replaced. The wall comprised of doors is bowing outward and should have additional vertical supports added as well. Steve Szaday; Preservation Specialist STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: CHAPIN PARK THE ENVIRONMENT