COA APPLICATION #2020-0302: NORTHERN INDIANA HISTORIC SOCIETY INC. V. SOUTH BEND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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Navarre Cabin to the Museum's property on Laurel Street. It was also noted that the NWSNO membership would strongly prefer to see the two houses on Laurel relocated rather than demolished. There are many empty lots in the neighborhood, and we would like to see more quality, historic and affordable housing supported rather than destroyed. That said, our support of the cabin move is not dependent on the preservation of those homes. Sincerely, Martin Mechtenberg, President NWSNO." IN OPPOSITION OF THIS PETITION: Administrator Feasel read into record the following five letters in opposition of the move the cabin Paul C. Diebold, Assistant Director of Preservation Services, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology — "Dear Mr. Toering, Thank you for your inquiry regarding the National Register of Historic Places status of the Navarre Cabin. Additionally, we can address how a relocation of the cabin would impact its relationship to the National Register of Historic Places. As you are aware, the Navarre Cabin is located in Leeper Park, and the park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 15, 2000. The nomination documents the cabin as a contributing building, and therefore, the cabin is listed in the National Register as a part of Leeper Park. In fact, thanks to its status as a listed propertyproperly, our office was able to provide a sizable matching Historic Preservation Fund grant to restore the cabin in 2005. Relocation of the cabin will essentially remove it from the National Register of Historic Places, making it ineligible for grants from our office, as well as leaving the cabin potentially unprotected from any review process involving our office. Should the cabin be moved to a location within a National Register -listed historic district, our office would consider it a non-contributing building to that district. Again in this instance, owners of the cabin would be ineligible for our matching grants or other programs. Moving of a historic building, especially a National Register -listed one, is always a drastic measure that often has unforeseen consequences for the resource, its current location, and the proposed location. We hope the community will carefully consider this proposal. Sincerely, Paul C. Diebold." John Charles Bryant — "I, John Charles Bryant, along with the members of the Farrow -Powell Family, would like to see the Navarre Cabin stay in the park along with the Powell House memorial. Thank you, John Charles Bryant." Melonie Mulkey, 218 E Bartlett Street — "To Whom it May Concern: I urge you to oppose the History Museum's request to move the "Navarre Cabin" from Leeper Park and relocate to the Museum's grounds. Not only will you be taking away the historic landmark from its origins, but you will be taking it away from all the people who come upon this structure while visiting the park. Leeper Park attracts people from all over the area and all over the country, as the St. Joseph River's steelhead and bass fishing make it a prime location. The beautiful rose garden and the renovations that were done within the area have become a strong attraction to people from all walks of life who want to enjoy nature as well as explore the history of the park. Being at the comer of E. Bartlett Street and Michigan, my home was built in 1901 by Guy. D. Staples, an original pioneer of the area. I consider Leeper Park to be my neighborhood and the historic "Navarre Cabin" a central part of the park. As a recent graduate of Notre Dame (2019), my husband and I decided to stay in South Bend and purchase a home in the River Bend historic district. I consider myself to not only be a part of the South Bend community, but one that deeply loves the rich history and historic neighborhoods in the city of South Bend, which was a big motivator for us in choosing a neighborhood. Families like my husband and I, are purchasing these historic homes because we want to keep them alive. The history of the cabin is a part of our neighborhood and the community. Please again, reconsider the request to move the cabin. This will take away the opportunity for many people who would not go to the museum, to