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1v� INDIANA t_Ai4f1HARli? :\':)ITher 1; Regional Oflic,- 402 %k'ect Washing Im; SIrccl.`nuI!i Bond, l\ -16(101 March 27, 2017 Dr. Kenneth Spells Superintendent South Bend Community School Corporation 215 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46641 Dear Dr. Spells, We are writing today to open tip a dialogue about the future for the former Marquette School building. Each year properties front across the State are suggested for listing on our 10 Most Endangered List— for 2017 the historic Marquette School has been included. We respect the sensitive nature that inclusion on the 10 Most Endangered list may present to owners of a historic building so our practice is to reach out in advance to talk about positive messaging that may be included as part of a focus on these buildings. The intent of the list is not to put owners in a bad light, Rather we use the list to focus efforts on important places in comnnrnities that are facing uncertainty or loss in hopes of finding a positive path for their reuse. For the Marquette School we are writing to you to propose the creation of a team to look at future options for the repurposing of the building. Ideally, if you are supportive of this idea, we could include the creation team of the team as part of our public anttouncenient of the 10 Most list in late April. The historic Marquette School building has been included this year due to the limbo it has been for the past many years. This limbo traces its origin to the legal stand-off between the South Bend Community School Corporation's board decision to demolition the building, the action by the- Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County to designate the site and associated actions by the City Council and Mayor's office. While this status has not changed, the relocation of the Cassidy Collection and the resulting vacancy prompts its to seek discussions about possible repurposing opportunities that may exist. The suggestion to create a team to look at options would be based on two key tenants- any new use would meet security requirements as related to the adjacent nexv Marquette School and financial constraints of the School Corporation. Vie ,, ould suggest a team that includes a staff person and Commission member of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, Ineinbers of your staff you deers most appropriate, a member of t11e South Bend Community School Corporation Board, a member from the neighborhood and a representative of Indiana Landmarks. You may not be familiar with our organization. We are a non-profit organization created in 1960 with a mission to save historic properties. We work to preserve a wide variety of special places in communities all over the State through our network of nine regional offices and our headquarters in Indianapolis. Our 111OIANA LA-MMARKS REVITAL12ES CONHUNITIES. PECONNECtS US SO OUR HERITAGE AND SAYS t1EANINGFUL iIAG£S.