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STAFF DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: South Bend Community School Corporation proposes demolition of Marquette School. A 2007 School Board decision to build a new Montessori Academy building abandoned the original public school upon completion in 2011. Although the building served as the home of the Casaday Costume Collection from 2011 until 2015, it has been vacant since 2011. Applicant has deemed the current condition of the building as "very poor' (see attached correspondence by Mike Szymanski and Katherine Turk). Although the building is suffering from deterioration by neglect due to a lack of maintenance, Staff is unaware of any Code violation that indicate a threat to the public safety. No structural report has been provided. In a June S, 2007 memo authored by Bill Latoza of Bauerl~atoza Studio (Architect of Record of Chicago Public Schools since 1994 with over 300 schools), addressed to HPC Director Catherine Hostetler, Re: Marquette Primary Center -- South Bend, Indiana, Mr. Latoza noted his findings and thoughts concerning Marquette School. In summary, "I'm in agreement with the architects [Hebard & Hebard] that the school is structurally sound and could easily and cost effectively be renovated into a state-of-the-art facility. The building is in good condition, and is an excellent candidate for renovation." "Marquette School could be renovated for far less money than a new school — and would perform as we] 1-- if not better than the new school that has recently been constructed.'" In a December 5, 2007 letter authored by Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, addressed to South Bend Common Council President Rev, Timothy Rouse, Re: Veto of Bill 61-07, Mayor Luecke had 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 1 respect the process and due diligence used in choosing to build a new schoof rather than renovate the existing building, l do not believe that the general public is fully convinced that this is the best choice. Also, some believe that there is new information which should be evaluated. So, I respectfully request the School Corp. to revisit the analysis of costs to renovate ]Marquette and to also take advantage of Bill L,atoza's offer to share his experience with the Chicago School system. There is time to do this'=value engineering" of the decision before the bond is approved. It may lead to the same conclusion, but residents will be assured that you have fully investigated all possible options. Third, if a new school is constructed at the site, please have the architecture complement the neighborhood and site the building in such a way that demolition of the existing school is not required. Finally, if a new school is constructed, please be open to alternate uses for the existing building. If viable use is found, with financing and a feasible business plan, please cooperate with a developer to help renovation of the building to succeed." Staff is tinware of any motivated attempt by SBCSC. to cooperate with developers to help renovation of the building succeed, though we are knowledgeable of at least one interested developer that has been denied a requested tour of the building. It was the Mayor's request in 2007 that demolition of the building would not be required even if a new school were placed on the site. In April 2017, Indiana Landmarks included Marquette School on their annual 10 Most Endangered List, reaching out to the Superintendent prior to publication of the list with a proposition to create a team to look at future options for the repurposing of the building. Staff is not aware of any funlier correspondence in response to the letter sent by Todd Zeiger. Staff supports a new use for Marquette School that sustains the historic character but allows the building to serve the next generation in a way that is sustainable. PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: Excerpt from August 15, 2017 Steve Szaday At approximately l2pm I tnet with Mike Szymanski and his associate (Steve) to photograph and walk-through the structure located at 1905 College commonly known as Old ;Marquette School. I photographed the exterior of the building on all four sides then walked through the structure from basement to roollop. My photographs will show areas of water infiltration from the roof above in certain areas and also some ground water penetration which is pumped out via four sump pumps in sunrp basins. These were intermittently running while I was in the area and it was not coming from above. I photographed a ground level door that is severely water damaged. I walked through several areas where plaster ceilings had succumbed to weight and moisture. Expanded metal and mesh are exposed where plaster had fallen off and the above deck can be seen. The first floor had about a dozen patches where coater from above had broken through and large areas of plaster had fallen. The second floor had about the same number of spots but the areas were much larger including entire rooms where Nvater infiltration had occurred. We walked the roof from end to end and all directions. There are obvious depressions in the deck and many areas around roof drains that are in need of repair as I suspect that much of the water filtration is happening around those faulty drains and why the areas of water infiltration are mimicked from the second to the first floor. I could feel some give in certain areas but nothing that would suggest that the roof is unsafe. Especially given all the weight of the deck and stone has not caused any collapse. The areas around the drains definitely need some repair on both the decking and the membrane.