HPC of South Bend and St. Joseph County - Standards Update Draft

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 70 For More Information: About the Districts Background, Context and the Building Rating System Since 1973, approximately 200 Local Landmarks in South Bend and St. Joseph County, 9 Local Historic Districts, and several National Register Districts and properties have been designated . About 6,000 sites and structures have been identified in architectural surveys as Outstanding, Notable, or Contributing resources of the area’s history . Preserving South Bend and St . Joseph County’s architectural history requires cooperation from homeowners . The city is committed to helping assist and educate community members about historic districts and how to properly maintain and modify properties in each. Below, you’ll find the resources to help you understand what is and isn’t permitted in our historic districts . Preservation efforts around the Country have demonstrated a variety of benefits resulting from the designation of historic districts and the qualities that historic buildings offer. Here are a few for your consideration: Longer Lasting Materials and Better Construction Quality Materials used when historic buildings were constructed came from old growth trees—whose slower growth rate led to stronger wood than today’s farm raised trees . The dried wood was milled to full dimensions leading to robust materials providing stronger framing and longer lasting materials than today’s modern descendants . The quality of construction in earlier buildings is therefore an asset which is impossible to replace . Environmental Sensitive stewardship of the existing building stock rather than its replacement can significantly reduce our environmental impact . Preserving and adapting a historic structure is sound environmental policy, preserving through its reuse the energy and resources invested in its construction . Reuse reduces the need for consuming new raw materials for construction . Economic Benefits Throughout the world, the designation and preservation of historic districts has proven economic benefits for their communities. Dozens of studies demonstrate these tangible benefits—stable or rising property values compared to comparable non-designated neighborhoods; local workforce development through retention of skilled trades; preservation projects have a higher percentage devoted to labor; local economic growth through the purchase/sale of the project materials . When money is spent on rehabilitating a building, it has a higher “multiplier effect”, keeping more money circulating in the local economy . The City of Indianapolis completed a study of the impact of their local historic districts—you can find it here . Also, The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation maintains a list of statewide studies on the economic impact of historic preservation here . Adaptability Floor plans of many historic properties easily accommodate changing needs . Rooms in both historic homes and commercial buildings are frequently large, permitting a variety of uses while retaining the overall historic character . Livability and Quality of life Historic building blocks create a pedestrian friendly, walkable community . The authentic preservation of the individual historic building’s designs creates an identity that is difficult to achieve in new construction, reinforcing desirable community social patterns and sense of security . What Do Different Designations Mean? A historic resource is an individual building, site, monument, structure, or landscape that has been determined to have histor-ical significance and whose distinctive character conveys unique architectural and/or cultural heritage of the city of South Bend and St . Joseph County . There are two primary forms of designation . The National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation . The National Register is administered by the National Park Service (NPS), a division of the Department of the Interior . Listing on the NRHP does not require any review for changes undertaken by you—the private property owner—with your own funds . NRHP listing does require that projects using federal, or state funding have those projects reviewed for potential negative impacts to the historic building . Read more about the National Register of Historic Places here . About the Districts For More Information DRAFT