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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/02/07 Zoning and Annexation CommitteeZoning and Annexation Committee Meeting 2007 South Bend Common Council The November 2, 2007 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits at 6:00 p.m. outside of the main entrance of Madison Primary Center located at 832 Lafayette Boulevard in South Bend. Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello and Kirsits, Ken Hebard of Hebard &Hebard Architects, Richard Hebard of Hebard &Hebard Architects; Steve Miskin, Angela C. Buysee, John Strauss, Robert Zimmerman, Pat O'Connor, and Bill Snidecki of the South Bend Community School Corporation; Jerry Ujdak, Lynn Patrick, Tim Herdman, Catherine Hostetter, and Tim Kluszynski of Historic Preservation; Todd Zeiger, unidentified members of the public, news media & security officers; and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kirsits welcomed everyone to the tour of Madison Primary Center, noting that the tour will be kept to 45 minutes to one hour and that it is in conjunction with Substitute Bill No. 61-07 requesting that Marquette School be designated as an historic landmark. He noted that the committee members include Council Members Kuspa, Pfeifer, Varner and himself. Tour of Madison Primary Center in Conjunction With Substitute Bill No. 61-07: Council Member Kirsits noted that today's walking tour will be to gather information with no formal action being taken by the Committee. The following handouts were provided to the Committee: 1. 3-page map and aerial of Madison Primary Center depicting the route to be taken for today's tour prepared by the South Bend Community School(copy attached) 2. 4-pages of floor plans of Madison prepared by Hebard &Hebard (copy attached) 3. 3-page summary of the James Madison Elementary School Renovation and Addition project showing a completion date of 2002 with a project cost of $11,172,530 and that it won the AS&U Educational Interiors Showcase 2004 Award for Project of Distinction -prepared by Hebard &Hebard (copy attached) 4. 5-pages from the Historic Preservation Commission showing that James Madison School was Collegiate Gothic in style; a copy of the Certificate of Appropriateness listing it as a local historic landmark, a copy of an July 21, 1993 article from the South Bend Tribune entitled "Renovation Recommended for Madison School" (copy attached) Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes of November 2, 2007 Page 2 5. 5-pages from the Historic Preservation Commission dated March 1997 depicting a location map of the Chapin Park National Register Historic District, two pictures of Madison School, historical contents and architectural description of Madiosn School noted that the school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as a contributing structure to the Chapin Park Historic District, that the school is a two-story brick structure (copy attached) The exterior of Madison Primary Center and the interior of the school was then toured with the following items being mentioned: • School was built in 1929 with two (2) additions being added in 1966 and 2000-02 • Collegiate Gothic Style characterized by red brick and limestone • All windows & air conditioning are new being part of the 2000-02 renovation/addition project • Aerco boilers replaced the old boilers which are the standard brand used by the school • Tuck pointing was done throughout the exterior which should last 15-20 years • Food is not prepared on-site with a warming kitchen which is not adjacent to the cafeteria • Challenges during the renovation which lasted about 22 months was to keep the building operational for teaching throughout the renovation/contruction • ADA requirements including adding ramps and widening all entrances to all classrooms throughout the building • Renovation costs were $136 per square foot • Elevator was added during the renovation/construction in 2000-02 • Entire building is now sprinkled with this feature not being part of the school prior • All mechanicals, electrical, pluming and fire code requirements all being replaced or added during the 2000-02 renovation/construction • A continuing challenge is the ground water which periodically comes into the basement area due to the schools proximity to the St. Joseph Rive; however the school has a "robust dewatering system" which was added to address this concern Dr. Robert Zimmerman, School Superintendent concluded the tour by stating that because of the architectural integrity of the building, the landmark status which it already had, being located adjacent to a historic community and that the renovation/construction was 90% of what new construction would have been that the decision to renovate and add-on to Madison resulted in a "good retro-fit and serves the kids well". Catherine Hostetler, Director of the Historic Preservation Commission noted that the 1993 South Bend Tribune article reported that Madison, built in 1929 could be renovated and a 21,000 square foot addition could be built at a "substantial savings Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes of November 2, 2007 Page 3 over building a new school to replace it". Hebard &Hebard Architects reported that the $6.4 million cost of a renovation/construction projects is "only 50 percent to 60 percent the cost of a new building". Ken Hebard of Hebard &Hebard noted that the $6.4 million figure was the projected cost in 1993 and that the renovation/construction project did not begin until 2000; with inflation being factored in to bring the project cost to over $11 million. It was noted that inflation costs for renovation/construction or a new building beginning in 2008 would both have additional costs due to inflation. Ms. Hostetler further noted that Marquette School has been rated "outstanding" architecturally by the Indianapolis architects, with this rating used in the materials on file with the Office of the City Clerk on the pending proposed ordinance. Council Member Kirsits thanked every one for an informative tour, and in particular thanked An~ela C. Buysee, Madison's Principal. He noted that next Thursday, November 4 at 6 pm a tour of Harrison School will be conducted for the Zoning and Annexation Committee. He added that he has read to a student at Madison for several years. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kirsits adjourned the Committee meeting at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted , I( Council Member AL "Buddy" Kirsits, hairperson Zoning and Annexation Committee Attachments