HomeMy WebLinkAbout6E(1) 701 Pennsylvania Ave Purchase Agreement~- ~
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Division of Community Development '-1865-.
1200 County-City Building, 227 West Jefferson, South Bend, Indiana 46601-1830 Phone 574/235-9371 Fax 574/235-9021
To: Redevelopment Commission Members
Don Inks , Redevelopment Director
F r o m : Jeff V i t t o n .Community Development Planner
s U b J e C t: A~~enda Item Request R Staff Report:
The Martin Wenger Farm House Purchase Agreement
701 Pennsylvania Avenue
Date: May 18. 2010
The Redevelopment Commission gave staff permission to begin the transfer of the Wenger
Homestead to Mr. John Morris at the May 7, 2010 Commission meeting. Attached, you will a ~,-
Purchase and Rehabilitation Agreement that will allow for the transfer of the property. ~~ ~ e~~-
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Staff requests the Commission approve the attached agreement.
I have also attached the staff report from the May 7, 2010 for your reference. If you have any
questions, please call me at 289-1066 x 223.
What We Do Today Makes A DN`ference!
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Community & Economic Development ~~~'~~ s;
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Division of Community Development ~'"65
1200 County-City Bulldmg, 227 West Jefferson, South Bend, Indiana 46601-1830 Phone 574/235-9371 Fax 5741235-9021
To: Redevelopment Commission Members
D O n Inks , Redevelopment Director
From : Jeff V i t t o n ,Community Development Planner
S U b J e C t: Agenda Item Request & Staff Report:
The Martin Wenger Farm House Disposition
701 Pennsylvania Avenue
Date: May 3.?O10
The purpose of this correspondence is to outline a brief history of how the Redevelopment
Commission (RC) came in possession of the Wenger Homestead (701 Pennsylvania), improvements
the RC made the property, efforts to sell the property, and request that the RC approve the
disposition of the property contingent upon the execution of a purchase contract and affidavit by the
potential purchaser.
The Wenger Homestead was designated as a local historic landmark by the St. Joseph County
/ City of South Bend Historic Preservation Commission in 1979, a State of Indiana landmark in
1997, and a National Historic Register landmark in ?000. The RC acquired the distressed property as
part of the Southeast Neighborhood Redevelopment efforts in the 1990's. As part of that effort many
homes and vacant lots in the surrounding area were redevelop as new homes. Due to the Wenger
Homesteads historic status, this property was not demolished to make way for new development.
Instead, the RC completed limited repairs to the property to make it marketable for rehabilitation by
a private party. Repairs conducted included a significant restoration of its entablature, dentil work,
architrave molding, and large and paired scroll bracket supports. There has also been a re-working of
the building's original arched windows and fieldstone foundation. Additional exterior improvements
include the installation of a new roof. gutters, siding, and front porch. New heating, plumbing and
electrical services have also been installed. The house interior is clean with wood floors throughout,
and is ready for a complete interior rehabilitation.
The RC marketed the property for some time through a specialty website targeting purchasers
interested in historic properties (historicproperties.com). Then it was marketed through the City of
South Bends Dollar Home Program. Most recently. in December, ?009 the home was feature on
This Old House's website. which yielded over 60 responses from interested parties. Staff prepared
and provided a Request for Proposal to the interested parties. One proposal was received by the
established deadline.
Staff reviewed the proposal of John Morris and requested supplemental information such as
photos of past work and letters of references. Staff concluded that Mr. Morris is capable of executing
What We Do Today Makes A Difference!
the needed repairs to the home. Mr. Mon•is plans to live in the home and has a number of years of
experience in working in home remodeling. Mr. Mon-is formerly owned Morris Consh•uction of
Deleware. Letters of reference provided to staff from former clients spoke highly of his
craftsmanship:
"1 hired Joly~ to pu! a lunge addi!ion on ozn° 7~+ year old home. and ~~~us extremely
j~leused >>•ith his c17~ert cruftsmunshih and his tremendoa.~s attention to derail. John's
suggestions and insights ~~•e~°e ~~eiy heh?firl in b~°inging the design to, fi•z~ition. His
COnI'IChOn n1 keeJ7nlg N'Ith !Jle O1Zg111C1j C~1C11'aC!el" a11d U1reg1"Z!V Of the h0177e 11'LlS'
extrenu~h~ iml~ortunt in I1is design 1~rocess. It i~s obi°ious John hus u lot of j~ussion
and kno~~~lea'ge iii his.field. "
Moreover, since Mr. Moi-~•is already has the necessary tools, fixtures, and experience to
conduct the repair work so the cost will be relatively low for Mr. Morris.
Staff requests the approval of the RC to sell the property to Mr. Morris for One Dollar,
contingent upon the execution of a purchase cont~•act and affidavits that meet the satisfaction of the
Director of Redevelopment Per Mr. Morris's proposal, he would like to begin working on the
property this summer and complete the rehabilitation in November of 2011.
If you have any questions, please call me at 289-1066 x 223.
What We Do Today Makes A Difference!