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Exhibit Rev. Timothy Rouse, President Deccniber 5. X007 Noe fit addition, past practice of the Common Council has been to seek the consent of tete owner when designaun_; a building as historic. I reco-nixe that this is not required by Ordinance or State law'. however it has generally led to better upkeep when the owner seek- the historic stattt;. An exception can he made for publicly owned buildings, but the turner's acceptance is important td1 the success of iartdtnarkiri f. I note ►rich pride that tete School Corp. has Successfully renovated several scltouls in South Bend, including Jefferson, Madison and Adatns. Renovalion OfMonroc School is part of the work to be clone with the proposed bond proceeds. 1 recall that when the Historic Presm--ation Commission sought historic designation for Madison School, the School Corp. did not appose that status. Thev ltzzwe actively opposed such designation for �larcluettc. 1 veto Bill 61-07 for the following reasons: • It design: es the entire parcel as historic rather titan the buikiing and a portion of land around it. • It does not have the support of the owner. IN The public remonstrance should cast the final vote in whether or not the School Corp. can build a new school at this site. As I veto rhia bill. I also have several requests concerning this site of the South Bend Community School Corporation. First, please maintain and operate a quality school at this location. Second, though I respect the proccs5 and due diligence used in choosing to build a new school rather than renovate the existing building, I do riot believe that the; ocne:rai public -is fully convinced that this is the best choice. Also. some believe that there is rteW information winch Should be evaluated. So, f respectfully request the School Corp. to revisit the analysis of costs to renovate Marquetry and to also take adi,antagc of Bill Latoza's offer to share his experience xvith the Chicago School system. Them is time to do this "Value enaince:ring' of the decision before the bond is approved. It may lead to the ;ame conchmion, but resident; will be assured that you have Belly investigated all possible options. Third, iia new school is constructed at the site, please have the architecture complement 111-1 neighborhood and site the building in such a way that demolition of the existing school is not required. Pinally, if a new school is constntcted, please be open to alternate users for the existing Wilding. If a visible use is found, with financing and a feasible business plan. please Cooperate with it developer to help renovation of the building to succeed. I appreciate the tont; hours. good intentions and difficult decisions by both the Common Council and the School Corporation Board. Thank yott for your dedication and hard work. Sincereb.:. {, pben J.1-ttccke Mayor South fiend Common Council Historic Preservation Commission Ur. Robert 'Lirnmerttian South fiend Community School Corporation Board