6. 1240 West Thomas Street_COA 2022-0906B

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Photographic evidence of the structure in March of 1999 shows white vinyl siding covering the window openings of the second story, wood elements and boarding on the lower first story were painted green. This vinyl installation predates the Landmarking of the structure in 1999. Following the fire in 2007 much of the vinyl siding was removed and many window openings were boarded-up with plywood. Most of the white vinyl siding appears to have been removed by May of 2016. Vinyl siding was added to the rear addition with work done in 2016-2017. Securing vacant/abandoned buildings remains a critical concern for their long-term preservation. The National Parks Service “Preservation Brief 31 – Mothballing Historic Structures” states “[w]hen all means of finding a productive use for a historic building have been exhausted or when funds are not currently available to put a deteriorating structure into a useable condition, it may be necessary to close up the building temporarily to protect it from the weather as well as to secure it from vandalism.” The “Group B” Standards corroborate this sentiment with the following text: “Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to cause minimal visual change to the original style and construction.” Further, when discussing materials: “Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original.” As a temporary security measure, staff supports ‘mothballing’ historic structures to ensure long-term preservation. Multiple Local Landmarks currently have/had/will have material added to secure window and door openings: 516 S Michigan Street currently has aluminum siding covering the alley/side windows (approved by staff), while the front façade has been secured and second-story plate glass windows have been replaced. Prior to demolition, 1636 Lincoln Way West had aluminum/metal siding panels covering window and door openings on the upper stories (installed prior to landmark designation). The proposal for polycarbonate panels for the Studebaker Administration Building is concurrently up for review as a security measure while preservation projects are undertaken. This proposal is for the addition of vinyl siding to the exterior of the structure, in lieu of windows. The “Group B” Standards state: “siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional siding.” The City of South Bend does have transparency requirements for structures. This parcel is zoned “Neighborhood Flex”, requiring a 15% transparency requirement for each of the floors on the front or corner facing facades of a structure. Long-term siding-over of all window openings will not be zoning compliant on the North (Thomas Street) or West (Walnut Street) facades. See South Bend Zoning Code 21-02.03 for definitions and measurements and 21- 03.06 for Standard District “Neighborhood Flex” information. For comparison, staff’s approval of the project at 516 South Michigan Street to ‘side over’ openings were not on the street or corner-facing façades and was therefore Zoning-compliant. COA 2022-0906B-3 - Replace wood overhead doors with metal glass doors. Staff recommends denial. Applicant proposes to install salvaged metal and glass ‘accordion’ doors in front of the existing garage doors. The applicant is in the process of bidding on/purchasing doors that will be salvaged from a structure in the Chicagoland area. Proposed doors are accordion doors that allow for automobiles to pass through the door opening. Pictures reveal that transom windows are present in the current installation on the to-be-deconstructed structure. Proposed salvaged doors are sufficiently tall enough to fit in the openings but will require additional material/framing to fill the width of the existing openings. No plans/schematics regarding the way the framing would be built was submitted with the application. Staff advised the applicant to provide additional information related to the way the doors would be framed in for the Commission meeting. The proposed doors would be installed ‘in front of’ the existing carriage doors, which will remain in-place behind the new doors. The existing carriage doors will be partially visible. It is unknown if the proposed door system operates on a track, or if they will survive the deconstruction/salvage process. The existing carriage doors are recessed in the openings, so there is some space for the installation of a new door system. The Standards and Guidelines require that “Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative