2. 1636 Lincoln Way West_COA 2022-0404

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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: April 13, 2022 Application Number: 2022-0404 Property Location: 1632-1636 Lincoln Way West Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Collegiate Gothic / 1905 / Property Owner: LWW LLC Landmark or District Designation: South Bend Local Landmark, Ordinance #8965-98, National Register of Historic Places Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: The brick industrial building located at 1636 Lincoln Way West sits on a triangular parcel adjacent to the former New York Central railroad line and College Street. It was built in 1905 for the South Bend Brewing Association’s brewing and the local distribution of beer. A group of Polish, German, and Hungarian tavern operators from the city’s west side organized the association and raised funds through the sale of 10,000 shares of stock and the lease of taverns. The brewing facility was in operation until the mid-20th century. The Gothic castle-inspired architecture of the building with a corbelled cornice beneath brick battlements and towers facing Lincoln Way West externally illustrates the procedures employed to brew beer. The four to five story front portion of the building reflects the need for gravity flow to facilitate the brewing process. The horizontal portion of the building and the smokestack contained the power, heating and refrigeration equipment as well as the loading facilities. ALTERATIONS: AA 2019-1029 allowed for the repair and replacement of the rubber roofing material, repair/replacement of flashing, and the installation of new k-style gutters. COA 2003-1001-1 allowed for the repaving of the parking lots, installation of lighting, drainage wells and tree plantings. COA 2003-0412 allowed for the repair of chimneys, doors, siding and brickwork, uncover boarded-up windows, and install awning. COA 2000- 0703 allowed for the lowering of window sills, replacement of asphalt parking lot, and the installation of new lighting. COA 2000-0425 allowed for the installation of a fire exit door on the west façade between the glass windows and the entrance to the glass company. COA 1999-0728 allowed for the installation of new signage, replacement of an exterior door, and reboarding of windows. APPLICATION ITEMS: “Demolish structurally unsound, collapsed, and collapsing, buildings at property that is currently affirmed for demolition, condemned, vacated and sealed. Marlaina Johns, Director of Neighborhood Services & Enforcement, with email mjohns@southbendin.gov , submitting this application for the City to conduct emergency demolition at the property.” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant (the City of South Bend Department of Neighborhood Services and Enforcement) has requested approval to conduct emergency demolition of the structure. The current property owner (Jason Miller / “LWW LLC”) purchased the property at tax certificate sale in 2019 for $5084. Staff met with the new owner in October of 2019 and conveyed information regarding the history and condition of the building, as well as the available financial incentives associated with the property because of the National Register of Historic Places. This information was presented to the property owner in a physical binder, as well as e-mailed to the property owner on October 23, 2019. This correspondence indicated that the City of South Bend Department of Neighborhood Services and Enforcement had an open file for the property. Neighborhood Services and Enforcement has maintained an open file on this property in their current computer system since 2018 due to condition of the structure. Neighborhood Services and Enforcement staff have conducted 48 inspections of this property since opening the case in 2018 and held four hearings for this property, two of which