Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2003NOTICE THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON THE 7TH FLOOR OF THE COUNTY CITY BUILDING 4:30 P.M. TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2003 AGENDA: 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PRESENTATION OF REVISED LEEPER PARK BRIDGE REHABILITATION PLANS: INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 3. PUBLIC COMMENT & HEARING OF VISITORS 4. ADJOURN NOTE: AN APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS REGARDING THIS BRIDGE WILL BE BEFORE THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AT ITS REGULAR MEETING ON JULY 21, 2003. THIS BRIDGE IS ALSO CALLED INDIANA 933 OVER THE ST. JOSEPH RIVER. SOUTH BEND & SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 8, 2003 MEETING GUESTS: PLEASE SIGN THIS LIST SO YOUR PRESENCE CAN BE NOTED FOR OUR MINUTES JA5oN 77-)1x2K- C i • • ap <O KTH $GN V (=-7N&i N F-LG/N& -�- �Jpnre�'� � �%/,e/', /max rriryt�ti pL � c k -f T�.� dap �-N�T 7P- . ��1�n-Ga 3Iz -3 .•x911 J,►A Rei )roanNpD`f- �,r-�s �c��a n a, 1✓ GGq /�P f - ��i e,�-$ i,IC v AGENDA, OF: ,THEJULY 21 200 H.P.C.,..COMMISSION MEETING Regular Meeting — 7th Floor — County -City Building Monday, July 21, 2003 7:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. PUBLIC HEARING A. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 1. 2003-0630; 1708 East Wayne Street; Build an addition onto back of house. 2. 2003-0706; 528 South Eddy Street, Jefferson School; install temporary classrooms on front side of school facing Eddy Street, move & replace evergreen trees. 3. 2003-0707; 557 Edgewater Drive; Plant a flowering dogwood tree in front yard. 4. 2003-0708; Leeper Park Bridge; Repair spandrel walls, footings, piers & railings; replace road and sidewalk surface; install wiring for lights, & install partial reproductions of four lights; install rip rap at North bank, and native grasses and protective plantings at South bank. B. HEARING OF VISITORS III. REGULAR BUSINESS A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (May & June) B. LEGAL REPORT C. TREASURER'S REPORT: 2004 BUDGET PROPOSAL D. STAFF REPORTS: C. of A. Approvals; Correspondence; Guideline Booklets; enforcement action regarding removal of trees or fixtures from several local cemeteries; US 31 coordination report; South Michigan Street City Plan suggestions. E. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Muessel—Drewery's Brewery Committee. 2. Southhold Awards Committee. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Oliver School Demolition & Salvage B. (non) purchase of a former South Bend City lamp post V. NEW BUSINESS VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS & MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS SOUTH BEND & SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 21, 2003 MEETING GUESTS: PLEASE SIGN THIS LIST SO YOUR PRESENCE CAN, BE NOTED FOR OUR MINUTES 3, 4axv l� a V STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 07-01-03 Application Number: 2003-0701 Property Location: 1708 E. Wayne Street, South Bend, IN Property Owner: Tim & Barbara Hernly Landmark or District Designation: East Wayne Street Local Historic District Rating: Contributing/ 9 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The Hernly residence is another example of H. R. Stapp's fine design work for Whitcomb & Keller, the developers of the Sunnymeade/East Wayne Street subdivision. Stapp designed this residence in the Colonial Revival style. Built solidly in brick, this house has a rectangular plan typical of Stapp's Colonial Revival homes. Stapp adapted the rectangular plan with the addition of a half- gabled side wing with boxed returns, and an entrance extension with a pedimented gable on a half gable with boxed returns, cast stone facing, single leaf archway, and fan light. A relatively steeply peaked side gable defines the roofline and covers the attic. Flat arches with keystones are present on a few of the windows and louvered shutters articulate most of them.. The window pattern is quite symmetrical and even on the front fagade, but less so on the side facades and in the rear. Stapp deftly employed decorative brickwork to add style to this building: a soldier course at the foundation and a stretcher course under the second story windows, an ample chimney with a diagonal brick pattern, double flue, and concrete cap, and brick sills and lintels. Whitcomb & Keller built this residence in 1929 but did not sell it until 1931 when Albert Kendall purchased the home to rent to other parties. Id 1937, the Payton family bought the home from Whitcomb & Keller after Kendall had sold the residence to the developers. Eugene Payton worked as the secretary -manager for the South Bend Association of Credit Men, Inc; Valerie Payton lived in the home until 1944. In 1945, Joseph Ziker bought the residence. Ziker owned Ziker's Cleaners, a locally and family owned dry cleaning company. The company was established in 1917 and had its main location at 251 E. Sample, where it still provides dry cleaning services today. The company is currently directed by David Ziker, President, the son of Morton Ziker and nephew of Joseph Ziker. The family stili operates fifteen dry cleaning locations and a uniform rental in the Michiana region; one can see the company's white vans driving around the city. Morton Ziker bought this residence from his brother in 1956 and sold it to the McGraw's in 1983. The current owners, the Hemly's, bought the house in 1988. APPLICATION ITEMS: 5 Sheets of Marvin window information 2 Sheets of photos of rear of Hernly residence 2 Sheets of Contractor's previous work 1 Fax tarismittal of proposed brick type (Bowerstone Red #145) 1 Sample of brick 1 Schematic drawing of plan of proposed addition 1 Schematic drawing of proposed rear elevation RECOMMENDATION The Hernly family and their contractor Mark Scott propose to construct an addition of a 18'6" by 177" kitchen off the existing dining room. The addition will be constructed on a brick veneer base with a frame upper structure and a flat roof similar to the images of a side porch addition on a different house sent with the application. The existing 8' by 12' kitchen will be transformed into a mudroom. The existing kitchen window will be removed and replaced with a Marvin door. The dining room window and much of the surrounding brickwork will be removed for the creation of a ten -foot archway between the kitchen and the dining room. The current landscaping and garden will have to be removed for the construction of the proposed addition. A mature tree in front of the side wing may have to be removed (not specified) and no plan for new landscaping was included with the application. Because the Historic Preservation Commission does not have jurisdiction over the interior spaces of a home, staff can offer no opinion upon the renovation of the existing kitchen and its change into a mudroom. But, staff notes that because their will be no door providing direct access to the kitchen from the outdoors, the formal dining room will essentially become a traffic path wedged between the exterior doors, the mudroom and the kitchen. Staff makes note the original designer's well-planned location of the current kitchen relative to the driveway for easy access into the home through the side door. Although this addition brings concern to staff because of its large size and ungainly proportion compared to the rest of the house, the changes that will occur to the home's interior character and use (though HPC has no jurisdiction here), and the permanence of the new structure, staff finds few reasons to deny recommendation of approval. The addition will be located at the rear of the home and will not affect the home's street appearance. The contractor has found brick that matches the original brick of the house and will include exterior details somewhat compatible with the Colonial Revival style. (ie. flat -roofed porch -like addition with classical pilasters.) Yet, the addition does not seem to recognize the character defining elements of the home such as the half - gabled sun porch and entrance with boxed returns. Acknowledgement and usage of these elements in prior design stages would have strengthened the application for appropriateness as well as the addition's design suitability with the current structure. Staff still finds the transition from the house to the addition as well as the removal of much of the brick veneer with its simple coursework details for a 10' wide arched doorway ungainly and poorly conceived. The Secretary of the Interior Preservation Standards for treatment and rehabilitation of historic structures calls for the "retention of the existing building's form, features, and detailing."' The Standards also state that "the historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The replacement of intact or repairable historic materials or alterations of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided." Z Staff would like to note the increasing trend of alterations and additions on houses in the East Wayne Street district that do greatly change the historic form of these buildings. The Herly addition adds to square footage of the footprint by almost 25%, removes about 20% of the original brick veneer from view and 40% of this amount will be demolished for the construction of the kitchen entryway. The surface area of the walls of the addition will increase the surface area of the house by a little under 30% with a structural system and materials not in keeping with the historic materials of the house—that is wood frame on brick veneer platform. Staff would like to call attention to the overuse of false historical features that are present on the exterior of this addition: Marvin windows, the pilasters, and paneling covering the wood frame, and the even the flat -roof. From a preservationist standpoint, these should be avoided to retain historic authenticity of the existing structure. Instead, the owner and the contractor would do well to include elements from the existing building in future plans and projects. Plans should include massings that are in correct proportion and scale with the existing building. The proposed addition is currentiv two times the size of the gabled sun porch and three times the size of the current kitchen. An addition in keeping with the size of these rooms would be lesser damaging to the historic character of the residence. 19 Z 18. The use of details from the home's exterior rather than importation of faux -historic details from external sources and pattern books should also occur and would increase the uniqueness and neatness of a design. This can be created by studying the elements surrounding the front entryway: its stone material, the arch under the small gable and even the look of the moldings. One could include idea of the gable or the presence of the arch into the exterior paneling of the addition. The study of the spacing and size of the windows and doorways on the front facade and the sun porch would eliminate large amounts of unbroken wall space found on the addition. Even the inclusion of a door leading to the outside from the proposed kitchen would retain some semblance of the kitchen's original relationship and easy access to the outdoors and the homeowner's patio. These ideas could provide homeowners with more studied and better suited additions to their historic homes. Staff hopes contractors will thus encourage the proposal of designs that speak to the stewardship of the home in addition to the needs of its residents. Staff cannot deny a recommendation of approval for the removal the kitchen and dining room windows and for the construction of the addition. Staff recommends the following stipulations to the proposed plan: 1.) The kitchen and dining room windows shall be either incorporated into the design of the addition or packaged, labeled and stored safety by the owner in the home's basement or garage; 2.) The mature tree shall be replaced in-kind if it cannot be saved and protected from the proposed construction work. k A% Application - FOR - Certificate of Appropriateness Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend k St. Joseph County 125 S. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, Indiana 46601 Mailing Add--:r----r; Building, South Bend, Indiana 46601 Phone: 574-235.9798 • Fax: 574-235-9578 • Email: historic@niichiana.org Website: http://communitymichiana.org/historic/ A Certified Local Government OFFICE USE ONLY »»» DO NOT COMPLETE ANY ENTRIES CONTAINED IN THIS BOX »»» OFFICE USE ONLY Date Received 6' - 30 =<?Cr3 Application Number:2 O O 1 - 0 C3C' Past Reviews: F1 YES (Date ofLost Pteoiew) F1 NO Staff Approval authorized by: Title: Historic Commission Review Date - Local LandmarkLocal Historic District (Name)a�f'r�� National Landmark C] National Register District (Name) Certificate of Appropriateness: E] Denied E] Tabled [] Sent To Committee E] Approved and Issued DATE Address of Property for proposed work: do S &p-Y►.1r_- 1 Street Number and Street Name Name of Property Owner(s): (Please Print) 71 tA er ZNA4* Address of Property Owner(s): i 1 oR • wsLY►J� s� Sev'F"� 8E-�-�� Contractors) Name: Contract Company Name: t4A -L- -4C,,11r CaJQMJC�riib� . U!f Contractor Address: 1S(,4S Et,+90C—S Pj. City: IVIiS�P+aA-tl-P- Phone: 571! 2cj1.9Slg Current Use of Building: StJ 6L-,-- �a.� t (Single Family — Multi-Famrfy — Commercial — Government — Industrial — Vacant — etc.) Type of Building Construction: 4-�ecs� ��e•- J _5>&A-� &Z"_ V=.j (Wood Frame — Brick — Stone — Steri — Concrete — Other) Proposed Work: []In-kind EZLandscape gLNew ( Replacement (not in-kind) fRDemolition (more than one box may be checked) M%_jdl oc� ;7 I 7 �I I Ir ejLr- Description of Proposed Work: �0�1 ear �Ir IS- x 18- 6 C;:' 9.0�- oJAr"cJ MF- CSL ts.r,-.4s- lZ ric. 5-3 To MX10 2.0.#A r giT'�.Yso � b.' tit C o _ r �.L M .1 v G�•..� J.Szs t o..li y. 10 �-i 2rx�� lei 4 CA ' CAI) STu� C 1d • _49 i S. S1 it-f�-s j T •�- °.J t s.0� ?2. �i'.�-�'� P -...b: -e 9. Owner/Contractor. Fax: X74 1-2 SS- so -2-1 e -ma' tySL'P 4 2-(ZAat-_ L• (This office mill correspond:oith only one sigmer) and/or ° Signature of Owner 6r - ignature of C tractor — APPLICA77ONREEQUIREMENTS ARE LISTED ON REVERSE SIDE — CC" udr �u n eR) _ J�V i • � e 'ri1L _ Ya• IV" I + s'-sb• Yom• ippC/e:d ICI NEN '^" Y4• Q � ' l it (eros Pwio) u CUp4,lO60 a yI m_ Yti • b' -Y •, Y nk• ewrr ewe wn c.� 1O�'� �� �-i' N'-io• Irn• to' -Y h MUl1D�pc°etdDROOM 4 i EXISTING DINING j ® : " i i um ss• �' -= QJ ',4• p I .......................1 lo,:e ................ LAP- 6L-e,\/'IATtGvvl s� Scott Construction, LLC 1:645 Embers Dry .T Mishawaka, IN 46545 ��-Q I oa�"-j cxo- Mark Scott Construction, LLC 15645 Embers Drive Mishawaka, IN 46545 f 3) 31 SWINGING FRENCH DOORS woos Inswing French Door W" (dad kwft French Door CFD Wood Uftffnate kmvmV French D= WUFD Cbd Uftiffwa lrs%*vCUFD MW Outswng Hench Door VVOFD Clad Outm" French =-Pool COM Wood Ultimate Outswng French Door Mko Clad Ultimate OftmV French Door aJOFD RgtL Op% 0" 1-8%(530) 2-6'Ym UK 3-0 9% M a-10"(1489) b-lu A (I r--4) "Twvbmq f-11 .70 Kjw) Fram Size OV4 17%%-05) 2-5135sM 2-tl'%GP13) 4-9%(1464) 6-936(1768) B73i P624) 7-8')%qX7) Glass Sze (mm) 12'33e' (325) 19'35x' (433) 25')W(645) 19'35x' M 25'35x• (645) 25'3'x' (645) 1213%' = is 95x' (493) 12 iiie 00 EEL] I EEII I mm 3065 mm cm WUFD9065 WUFD8M 86msyskm %vow, Rgft Opg. (ffm) 1.8 (530) 2-2N(672) 2-8 iia(824) 2-10 U(875) 3-2�%P76) 3-8As(129)41%(1260) 5.1%(1565) 5-5%(1667) 6-1%(I670} 7-1%(2175) Fmm Skm (nvo 1-7%poS) 24%(646) 2-7%(M 2-9%M* 34 %XQ 373U(1103) 4-036(1235) 5-0%(15MM 5-436" 6-036(1845) n%M49) Glass Sze (nvy4 12 l3ie (325)14235x' (379) 20%"(Sit) 22 %* (584 26%'@M 3223W(836) 142V" 20235x'(531) 22235x' (582) 26235x' (683) 32%'(83E a ® a a o0 o� 2E68 2%8 306 3668 M mm � � 7068 190 290 260 2870 300 3670 4070 5m so ou 7020 1580 2080 2580 2880 3080 369D M mm 5480 mm 7080 6-0,AG(1649) -iLwft(23uo k"-M(24b) U-0 -ps cz/U41 lu-b rst"zzlj " wqjo) R v k�.) � tll=j 5-,Ml3ia1B24) 7L5I%=) 741 %(24M) 8-11 % (1138) 10-5%(3M 7-11(24q 941 M23) 1070) lu - PM 20 %' r-0) 22 %' 322�WM 142352' (379) 20%'MQ 2223'x' pp 0o � a aaa o00 000 oao� o0o 6068 Ta mTM rm 31868 00 1670 00 mm mm ffm %m EM BOBO DOBO nm U-VYe (4= mate 72-0 (3oa) 14-0(42M - 13 Ti (4242) -T 1"m p6m r, 26%'(M) 32%'PM NOTE b deten. ine cal-nmter dimer ions, bcate width in ft a)kv r: aabove the demrm and the heW in the cokimn tD the left. aoa oaao M im wo AM mm 4- i 4tlY :-�`7 s 4-8)ie(1424) 4734s(I3991 47'/+s(13" c, .6 26235x'(638)12'35m"= 12,*e(325)262%x'(638) 4668 4668 ...... At 6136(16% Iii 9-0'lioV/64) 6-0%(1845) 8 12l35ePM26%*M38)12'Y%r-25) 12,%e=26235x-M8)12'3W= E 9268 E38 Etumsy*m Er6an Sysbm Note-Utepstbm shown are 3w(19)grilesor7gr(22)SDLin6t8or7/Ohebft oPleme oortact ymr bcal Nhryin repeseritafm for masonry openings hck&g clac Lite pwwm for 110 (29) and M heb% may vary brick rno or flat cash g. • Al glass is temperecL • Also vialable as a standard 2 wide He cut wkh the ameom d siMgtft W are • fbr cpwatig confgwaborr;N see paW 148, M wide Re ctsL . r6-4— — v� f� ttp pvbww Notl�Scalee MR 09 -, Make an e ":French nci that sw full line your climai Inswing Ste 0 Tempered, or 0 Satin Taupe h system (actin, 4D Head and Io< 0 All wood Brit 0 Oak sill liner - Q49/16'(116r .:7-- 0 Ultrex sill wits 0 Satin Taupe b 0 Bare wood in Vinyl drip cal: 'J Laminated ve core in lockin arvin etails Enjoy the view, inside and out. The true beauty of Marvin windows and doors is that each one can capture a little of how you look at the world. From lite patterns as traditional or cutting-edge as you are, down to details such as the finish you choose for the hardware, there's an opportunity to personalize everyMadeforpu ®component. Divided lites offer unlimited opportunities for creativity. Marvin has three distinct ways to bring out the best in our window designs. Authentic Divided Lites (ADL) feature separate pieces of glass individually glazed between muntin bars on our wood windows, the way windows have been made since the beginning. Only now, Marvin's state-of-the-art design adds energy -efficiency to traditional appeal. Simulated Divided Lites (SDL) offer traditional or contemporary style plus energy -efficiency. SDL bars are permanently adhered to both sides of the glass in just about any pattern you can imagine. And for an even more authe. r:. look, spacer bars can be installed between the panes of gh,it creating the essence ofAuthentic Divided Lites. Solid pine Grilles on the interior of your window also offer the classic divided lite look, and like Authentic and Simulated Divided Lites, are available in both standard and custom patterns. And best of all — grilles are easily removed and put back in, making window cleaning a snag. Authentic Divided Lites (ADL) - the choice of mart' historic renovators or anyone look;ng for an authentic touch. Simulated Divided Lites (SDL) a!I the :ra,.,, cal beauty, plus excepticrai 'gy eRc.ency and amazing design flexibility Authentic or Simulated Divided Lites? Can't decide? Give one of our resourceful Marvin representatives a call. They'll make sure you know everything about all the options, and help you decide which style is perfect for you. IN Grilles - easy cleanirg, classic locK. Grilles—between—the—Glass (G? Nor•.re—cvabte. between the olas easy cean ^o You can select rrm several f nis'res ;or :',e ha,dware on maw of cur windows and doors. hor irstance, the s:yl sh 'trench Door ha-dles - - are available in Satan Taupe. Brushed Chrome, Artique Brass, Polished Cnrcme White, and Brass I. r Ta<e a close look at the interior of our windows Clear natural pre delightfully s rocth to touch Nothing :s more beautiful it a home than real wood• especially when you knish the inter -or of %cur Ma•vin window or door to certect!y match you' decor. r- t. IVA loopp- Te /f ;yam �fi •1� � ._ F*. low- f'��. '� ,� y! ii - '1• t Set,. �1'►����;;.33�+�ii}TTj�� '�` S:, `,mss ,\ � >r♦-��,t=`',+'•_•J `17,r /•l 1JI/�11}r fiE"A, �. .� pit 1! t. ► '�y'b�. 11 Double Hung, & Till Pee Windows Clad Ultimate Insert Double Hung Window Casemaster & French C . f Window Bay Window Bow Windo 1-4 Glider Windc dow Polygon & Special Shape Windows Tilt Turn & Hopper Windows -7 A -4, Oark Scott Construction, LW-; 15645 Embers Drive ,`�Mishawaka, IN 46545 Sliding French & Trim line op French Doors Ultimate French Doors 513 East Madison Street, South Band, Indiana 46617 FAX THANIMIML FORM DATE (1 TO FROM 92/d.) COMPANY LOCATION NO. OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS ONE I RE: l ? ©fS E. Ltd a tp n L ,A4-. MESSAGE: Ll S r vlou r mGA, a 47-dA.L4 t � t — � 4st.- 9Ss jp/ 9) - n e f tto,�l�.h.tc. � 6-7-7-03 IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE ALL OF THE PAGES, PLEASE CALL (574) 234-2133. A444-. •---._ STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 07-09-03 Application Number: 2003-0709 Property Location: 557 Edgewater Drive Property Owner: Fontine Assimos Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark/ Edgewater Place Local Historic District Rating: Significant/ 11 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT This house was built in 1919 by Whitcomb & Keller for Leslie Whitcomb, a partner of this prominent South Bend development firm beginning in 1892. Whitcomb also served as the Justice of the Peace for South Bend; he was elected to this position in 1894. He also was the General Secretary of the YMCA for five years. The Whitcomb's owned the house until 1943 when Aletha Whitcomb sold it to Rose Szczdrowski Zarembka (b. 1884 in La Porte). Rose married Casimir Zarembka in 1906. He immigrated to the US from Poland and worked for the New York Central Railroad Pumping Station in Lydick, Indiana. Mrs. Zarembka lived in the house until 1950 when the Peters' bought the house. Roger, a professor at Notre Dame, and his wife Mary lived in the residence for several years until 1972. The house has seen several other owners during its lifespan. Tina Assimos purchased the property in 1996 and originated the landmark status of this home in 2000. Architecturally, the home is a mix between the comfortable roominess of an American Four Square and the horizontality and naturalness of the Prairie Style. The home features a complex hipped roof system with deep overhangs, a broad front porch with hipped roof and large stucco piers (screened in), and hipped roof "porte chaire" that extends from the home and protects anyone entering it from the side porch. Stucco covers a wood frame construction, and large 1/1 double hung windows with divided upper lights have been place symmetrically across the facade. APPLICATION ITEMS: I Certificate of Appropriateness application RECOMMENDATION Tina Assimos requests permission to plant a flowering dogwood on the property's front lawn toward the east side of the home. The planting of this tree will not affect any tree lawn plantings nor will it block her neighbors' views of the river. The tree will be a lovely enhancement to the owner's front yard. Staff recommends approval for the planting of a flowering dogwood at 557 Edgewater Drive. �iaJun p U i OFFICE USE ONLY »• •>: (f nate Rec•!iv,-.J... Past Reviews: All Y FS, is=- Staff Approval authorized l;1is(orit: G�mmis�:utr tttvu Ll Local i znuinark Cs National Lana: - Certificate of Ap ropri Denied ❑ mUol Address of Property for;troi ' r•.i!r Name of rreperty Ownertak-.• i' AV Address of rroperty Owmeri a) 1• Cnntrar.:r2cisl Name: Contract Con:pany mmic: Contractor Addf*:,.,. City:----------•- --._ Current Use of Buileing: Type of Building i79nstructi Proposed Work: i `1 �-.Srnu,rt/mnarrSux y,4dvr)rd ,:"� Descripti-3n ('f proposed Wo 2tCl1o11� ._._G�.IC... --�- _hz� Owner,'Contractor: Fax:__. p (h u/frau„1:c�-.e�a�tcu;,,.,:rc••c i UT'r.iN; .ir�7�? �.`'..C.l�?'? l:1(� �:Q;, (37jjj_HSZ1 »»» OFFICE USE ONLY r�.ppi:.:ztlun fti!.tr �h•:r 2-D.0 O� \O ...._ ......... _...... __ - .... _.... 'title:._ - 1: Oct Vr­ it7nli iiL.SsStt'f {?i•i!ti�tl��rt:te'I . _. .......,`. To Commirte. r i t-•rrn•eti ar.,3 Issued L --j DATE Aga f,<MbL. none.. Q­'—A+Z3 7-� qtr .•uT:r-.tU,:h-Frt,:rl, •C'i•r•r-r;ret.:-lrrr'rnrntr.-[rt4cStrn7-V7Canr•-rt[J - ;515n>ri � r.!:,;, .::r :.. ':r.nr • �:r+: - i:a•tt•r:r - E;tho) L`"'rr�%ard�cape ] `:ev: aj Rer'atetnent (not ia•iat.d) D Demolition L 1 F'li't?pI1t1i: ;hiss r: r.•�.: t�' !fr!;;:1 •S: ''1. �.j;n� it t•(?t;nty `J,r'- ,S.it:chN'ttc',':•di:matl%CI �: 3 • I�t,.ul: iirstCr::�:rruchiara.or�; y•+� :I�irtr<r.rir;%hi:•hr,•ic/ �'•Y •..• t' a •_r,�tur.� t.insi S.W!IrU1S(,�{ ••�•- •— Address of Property for;troi ' r•.i!r Name of rreperty Ownertak-.• i' AV Address of rroperty Owmeri a) 1• Cnntrar.:r2cisl Name: Contract Con:pany mmic: Contractor Addf*:,.,. City:----------•- --._ Current Use of Buileing: Type of Building i79nstructi Proposed Work: i `1 �-.Srnu,rt/mnarrSux y,4dvr)rd ,:"� Descripti-3n ('f proposed Wo 2tCl1o11� ._._G�.IC... --�- _hz� Owner,'Contractor: Fax:__. p (h u/frau„1:c�-.e�a�tcu;,,.,:rc••c i UT'r.iN; .ir�7�? �.`'..C.l�?'? l:1(� �:Q;, (37jjj_HSZ1 »»» OFFICE USE ONLY r�.ppi:.:ztlun fti!.tr �h•:r 2-D.0 O� \O ...._ ......... _...... __ - .... _.... 'title:._ - 1: Oct Vr­ it7nli iiL.SsStt'f {?i•i!ti�tl��rt:te'I . _. .......,`. To Commirte. r i t-•rrn•eti ar.,3 Issued L --j DATE Aga f,<MbL. none.. Q­'—A+Z3 7-� qtr .•uT:r-.tU,:h-Frt,:rl, •C'i•r•r-r;ret.:-lrrr'rnrntr.-[rt4cStrn7-V7Canr•-rt[J - ;515n>ri � r.!:,;, .::r :.. ':r.nr • �:r+: - i:a•tt•r:r - E;tho) L`"'rr�%ard�cape ] `:ev: aj Rer'atetnent (not ia•iat.d) D Demolition L 1 John H. Oxian, President South Bend and St. Joseph County HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 227 WEST JEFFERSON BLVD. SOUTH BEND, IN 46601-1830 Thone:574-235-9798 Fax: 574-235-9578 e-mail: historic@michiana.org A Certified Local Government Karen R. Hammond -Nash, Director Friday, July 18, 2003 Ms. Cynthia A. Bodle, President St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Mr. Rafael Morton, President St. Joseph County Council RE: 2004 Budget Dear Commission & Council Presidents: In past years, there was a line item in our budget for "Historic Preservation" (Acct. No. 39211). My understanding is that it was primarily used for activities related to community educa- tion and outreach. As recently as 1999 and 2000, the amounts budgeted for that line item were in the range of $20,000 to $30,000. Former director J. Edward Talley used that account mostly to transfer funds to other accounts, which may be why he or you decided to make it an empty account for the years 2001 and 2002. This is, as you know, not the only financial management decision of his with which the HPC now has problems. In our 2003 budget request last year, we sought to re -fund that account, though only for $3,000, and we proposed that our Auto Lease account (No. 37100) be decreased by $3,000, so that our total budget for the year 2003 would not increase over the 2002 budget. Our Auto Lease ac- count was accordingly reduced, but our Historic Preservation account evidently remained at Zero. It is the philosophy and belief of the HPC that we have an obligation to provide information to the community actively as well as passively. We do maintain a small library of useful books, and we regularly publish brochures. However, these are passive things, which citizens generally obtain only if they come seeking them, and too often people only find out that we are an available source of information after we have accused them of some violation, or blocked them from doing something they want to do. For these reasons, it is important to the HPC that we be, again, allo- cated a budget line for community outreach and education in historic preservation. We are seeking restoration of the $3,000 to our budget, which will actually just bring the non -salary portion of our budget up to its 2002 amount. If, however, that is not possible, we would ask that we still be allowed at least $1,570 in Account No 39211 (Historic Preservation), and that our Account No. 39750 (Data Processing) be reduced to $ 3,570, from its present amount of $5,000. That would keep our budget at its 2003 level, about $3,000 less than its 2002 level. You , Karen R. Hammond -Nash, Director COMMISSIONERS Mary Jane Chase Virginia O'Hair (Secretary) Gerald Ujdak (Vice President) Martha Choitz Lynn A. Patrick Diane Wrobel-Illes Catherine Hostetler (Treasurer) Joann Sporleder (Architectural Historian) John Livingston (Attorney) ZS NOIIVAH3S3Hd OIHOISIH 1VH3N3O Al1Nnoo £01£IL L£ 'Id30 00'001- 191,1511- OZ£ `8T T 00'001- 008- 00'001- 196'8b- 00'001- OOL'9- 00'001- 000'65- X =/+ /+ S3no3m IN3WIVVd3O 008 008 ON 67 000`£ 000` S 005`T 009 000`£ 009 09T 'Z 09T 'Z 000`Z 000`T 000`6Z OOL`9 OOL 000`T 000`5 000`T9 005`9£ OOS`7Z 19b`SI1 S9S`L6 1V101 1N3WRWd30 008 £1,6`1 1tl101 saLJaS 0000V 008 Eb6'1 S3NIHOdW 30I330 OSZVV saLJDS 0000V 196'81 L06'IS 1V101 sa PaS 0000£ uot:lsonpa 3 uorazlno oiTgnd/uoijgnaasaza oiaojslH TTZ6£ 000`5 6L8'b 9NISS3008d VidO OSL6£ 005`1 6Zb NOIldIbOS8f1S S Una 0106£ 005 018 3SV310181/ OOIL£ 000`£ 890`81 9NI1NIbd OOI££ 005 90Z MUM 111931 30 NOIiVDIlOnd 010££ 091`Z 81£ 39ViSOd 05£Z£ 091`Z 0 3NOHd3l31 OOZZ£ 000`1 OZ£`1 9NINIVbl `d NOI DMISNI 09OZE 000'Z Z8Z 13AV81 OZOZ£ lbl'1£ 969'5Z S30IAb3S IVni)Vb1NOO b3H10 OLOI£ satiaS 0000E OOL'9 L80'ti 1V101 salAS OOOOZ OOL ISI S3I1ddns bOlOW 9 39VbVD OZIZZ 000'1 £56 SINVOIbeni 8 lI0 SV9 OIOZZ 000`5 f86'Z S3I1ddnS 3OI330 0£OIZ saLJaS OOOOZ 000'65 829`6£ 1V101 SaLJaS OOOOT 005'5£ £££'Z£ NIWOtJ NOI1VAb3S3bd OIbOBIH 60£II 005'a 56Z`L b01ORIO '1SSV SLOII saLJaS OOOOT ;eOP°3 Vooz 1390na £OOZ 030N3dX3 ZOOZ NOI1VA213S3Hd ORIOISIH '1VH3N3O A1Nnoo ;eOpnq /4unoo gdeeor ';S b00Z ft STAFF REPORT CONCERNING US 31 ROAD IMPROVEMENT IMPACT ON HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND LANDSCAPES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND & ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Date: 06-30-03 INTRODUCTION Highways, expressways, and freeways crisscross this country. This breed of high-speed, limited access road systems has existed since the late 1950s when the federal government under Eisenhower passed the 1956 Federal Highway Act. This act established initiatives for the planning and funding of more efficient and expansive expressways. It was hoped that these new freeways would solve the car saturation problem on the nation's road and national security fears of the Cold War era. The freeways and expressways that have theirs roots in the work of many Congressmen and Senators who worked on Capitol Hill in the 1950s have truly become entrenched in modem American society. These roads are used daily by millions of Americans who drive upon them to commute to work and then home again, to places of entertainment on the weekends, or even across the country on vacations. Without traffic and congestion, these roads can provide an almost surreal ease while driving, but during rush hour, they produce nightmares of brake lights and toxic fumes. People spend countless hours of their lives sitting in rush-hour traffic upon many of the nation's highways. Issues such as road rage have now become the subject of news articles and grace the covers of national magazines. Yet, for those who own cars, everyday life often seems infeasible and impossible without highways. These roadways have also had an enormous impact upon the American landscape., One scholar has argued that the construction of highways over the past forty to fifty years has been one of the most prominent forces of change that has molded the American cityscape and country-scape. In addition to linking towns and cities, freeways have divided urban neighborhoods, cut through farmland and broken through mountains. Not only is a freeway a strip of roadway serving utilitarian purposes, it is a mark upon the land that affects how a person sees and understands a nearby area or even a region. Add together all the miles of pavement that connect this country and one finds a substantial area directly impacted and shaped by ribbons of asphalt and concrete, looping access ramps and freeway bridges. Yet, the area directly covered is miniscule in comparison to the area that will actually feel the economic, social and environmental forces at work with the construction of a freeway. Noise, more traffic, wider roads, rest stations, new development at exits, and the division of property for construction all come with a freeway. Scholars have recently explored the recent creation of edge cities, places located near freeway exits that are mainly filled with office and retail space but devoid of actual housing. These edge cities now serve as the commercial centers of counties and towns where the downtowns had once existed as vibrant multi -use places filled with workspaces, play spaces, homes, and retail. As freeways weave across the country following no particular pattern and seemingly dodging some places while directly connecting to others, all the changes wrought by highways have occurred without prediction. With the coming construction of a new US 31, vast changes to the landscape in southern St. Joseph County are real possibilities. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT, US 31 has a long history as a route for human travel, one that predates the proposal and naming of the federal road in 1926. Portions of the road may follow routes that Native American tribes had used for centuries prior to European pioneering excursions and settlement. It is possible that this trail was used by, early European fur traders in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Early pioneers and traders established trading posts along the trail. These posts began to support permanent communities of settlers as they bought land to farm in the surrounding area in the 1830s. As more and more settlement occurred and the Indian population dwindled, the trail developed into a road. The road now known as US 31 did not become a major artery of transport until the automobile became a widely used mode of transportation. Prior to that development, the railroad had been the most efficient form of transit available in the 1850s to the earl 1900s. In the early decades of the 20`h century, a shift occurred in people's tastes as they bought more personal automobiles and used the railroad less and less. In response to the growing number of cars and the need for more drivable roadways, the government eventually transformed the Michigan Road into a federal route in 1926. The road has been studied for upgrade since the 1940s.1 With the creation of the new road, some portions of US 31 were shifted from its old path. For the most part, it seems that the current route has followed this historic trail and roadway. Today, one can travel from Mobile, Alabama to Mackinaw, Michigan without turning off US 31. The current environmental impact study for the improvement of US 31 has its base in studies that were completed between 1995 and 2000. INDOT's reports dating from 1995 and 1997 on US 31 traversing Kokomo, Indiana and Hamilton County suggested that it should be expanded and transformed into a limited access freeway. The construction of a limited access freeway would remove stoplights from US 31 and disallow "at -grade" roads and driveways from interfering with US 31's traffic flow. These improvements would mitigate traffic, congestion and safety woes created by the stoplights and roads cutting across US 31. It is thought that a decrease the amount of travel time spent on roads connecting South Bend and Indianapolis would enhance the business opportunities available to these cities. Access ramps located at yet to be determined places would maintain a high speed of travel on the roadway. Local city governments, such as Kokomo and Michiana Area Council Of Governance (MACOG), whose cities will be affected by US 31 changes also completed studies of possible routes and hoped for improvements. The Kokomo report suggested the creation of a bypass to the east of Kokomo that will retain city infrastructure and current commercial corridor along US 31. The reports from Kokomo and MACOG both support the need for the adaptation of US 31 into a limited access freeway. In 2000, INDOT began contracting several engineering firms to collect information for the environmental impact studies of areas affected by future construction. Three major corridors became the focus of the studies: Hamilton County, Kokomo, Indiana, and the stretch of US 31 from Plymouth, Indiana to South Bend, Indiana. INDOT contracted the environmental impact study of ten possible routes for the improved US 31 in Madison and St. Joseph Counties to Bernadin, Lockmueller & Associates. Wientraut & Associates has handled the survey of historical sites and structures in the large area of the county traversed by the various options. The firms and INDOT hope to complete and publish their studies of various route options by Fall 2004 so that community members could review the proposals before the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issues a final decision on the proposed route in Summer 2005. INDOT plans to begin construction on the new US 31 facility in 2011-2015. Construction upon highways and others besides have lead some to quip that only two seasons exist in some parts of the nation: winter and the season of the orange barrel. The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County now has a chance to provide some input on where those barrels will be placed for the new US 31. 1 Maps in the archive of the Library of Congress reveal the importance of the railroad between 1850 and 1900, for many of these maps only plot the crisscrossing of the railroad lines to Midwest cities. They notably do not include main roads and trails. Z At -grade roads are those that intersect with US 31 rather than roads that may cross over US 31 on a bridge or under. The latter two examples are not "at -grade" roads. STARTING POINTS: ANALYSIS DETERMINANTS Before this report delves into more depth regarding the history of US 31 and analyzes the various possible routes for the highway in St. Joseph County, staff will explain an issue that needs to be addressed before any recommendation can be put forward. Staff examined the importance of the following historic aspects of the county in order to determine which possible routes were most and least favorable: historic landmarks, historic structures, historic regions, railroad corridors, current roadway types, and landscapes. Because the Commission has ordinances and resolutions that protect local and national landmarks, preserving these from encroachment and damage is a straightforward task and one over which the Commission has the appropriate jurisdiction. The later elements offer added complexity to proposal for a new facility for US 31. The HPC has potential jurisdiction over ranking historic structures that could be granted landmark designation as well as concentration of structures and landscapes that could be granted historic district status. Several pockets of historic structures are located nearby several of the proposed routes. The rail corridors, rural roads, and rural landscapes found in the south of the country have less protective legal opportunity than the other elements, yet their presence are importance aspects of St. Joseph County's sense of place and history. Though less able to be legally and directly protected by the Commission, any large-scale impact upon and through the rural landscape may have far more negative consequences than rebuilding upon the more built-up routes route that may have a greater concentration of structures lining the roadway. These final three elements could be protected through advocacy and diplomacy, though difficult it may be. SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ROUTES and RECOMMENDATIONS These proposed alternatives for US 31 span the area from Oak Road as the western most road portion to Elm Road/Capital Avenue in the east. Yet, because of noise, the need for access ramps and possible road widening (data and location not known on these, assumed) the area of impact greatly exceeds the proposed roadway as shown on the maps found on the US 31 website. The alternatives traverse six townships in St. Joseph County: Liberty, Union, Madison, Greene, Centre, and Penn. ._..__..Alternative A Alternative A as of June 2003 would enter Saint Joseph County via Oak Road. The proposed path replaces Oak Road until just north of Quinn Road where it curves to the east and follows the New Jersey, Indiana, and Illinois railway line into Greene Township. The curve in the highway just misses the boundary of Potato Creek Park and Worster Lake. After passing Potato Creek Park, this proposed route follows the railway line corridor until it connects with US 20 west of the US23/US20 junction. This alternative will affect a few historic structures and landscape elements directly, yet not as many as other proposed routes. Many of these structures are of significant historic value to the local area and to St. Joseph County and could be considered for local historic landmark status. These include: a circa 1880 Italianate farmhouse at 68651 Oak Road 3; a century old gabled bank barn at 23900 Riley Road 4; Fair Cemetery; the cemetery on the northeast corner of Riley and Oak Roads; and possibly a notable Stick vernacular farmhouse, 23871 Stanton Road that dates to circa 1895 and has a ranking of Significant/ 125; 23256 New Road, a vernacular farmhouse from the stick style that dates to the circa 18906, and a contributing vernacular residence dating to circa 1895 at 60711 Mayflower Road. II T" .' 141.120D1--3421141.342.90049. The survey records on this house rank it as notable112 or significant►12. 4 Old survey Number 11060, Rating: S/ 11. s Old survey number 11065. 6 Old Survey number 11038. The following structures would most likely be indirectly compromised by the construction of a new roadway: a barn and granary dating to circa 1900 at (20801) Tyler Road (11067, S/11); a bank barn circa 1890 at 64350 Oak Road (11040, C/10); 23255 New Road, a vernacular farmhouse circa 1890 (11039, S/11); a vernacular farmhouse from circa 1890 at 60535 Mayflower Road (09013, C/10); a circa 1900 barn at 60100 Mayflower Road (09012, C/10); a Greek revival farmhouse dating to circa 1845 at 60415 Myrtle Road (09021, S/11); and 23014 State Road 23, an 1870s Greek revival farmhouse (09058, C/10). Alternative A indirectly poses a threat to three concentrations of historic cemeteries, farmhouses, barns, and schoolhouses that are located on both sides of this proposed corridor. These structures stand along Pine Road in Liberty Township, Mulberry Road in Union and Greene Townships, and Oak and Sumption Trail in Greene Township and on sites along intersecting roads. These structures and sites could possibly be threatened by future development (road widening, access ramps, fast food restaurants, strip centers) if Alternative A were chosen for the improvement/ rehabilitation of US 31 and these farmhouses, barns, schools, and cemeteries are not protected. Pine Road Concentration Notably, the Italianate Style seems to predominate farmhouses built in this area of Liberty Township rather than Vernacular or Stick Vernacular residences. This may reveal a community stylistic preference for the Italianate home, a style with elegant lines and features, cupolas to survey one's land, porches for relaxation and protection, and ample room for a growing family. It was a noble style for the noble occupation of farming. The predominance of the Italianate style also positions the growth and success of this area to the 1860s and 1870s when the farmers had gained enough wealth after their initial settlement and farming of the area. It possibly reveals a desire to update one's farmhouse in more "progressive" styles. The stylistic connection among the residences of this area also shows a pattern of exchange of building knowledge among community members where commonalities are present and individual creativity and inventiveness where uniqueness occurs. Often among farming communities, neighbors and extended family members helped each other construct their homes and barns. These local builders used local materials: hardwoods from their lands, stone, and locally made bricks. Across the county in the mid to late 1800s, farmhouses tended to be constructed in similar manners with stone foundations and frame or brick veneer structures. In the early 1900s, cast stone foundations began to support the homes in the area. Around 1915, other foundation materials began to be used including brick and concrete. This is a sign that housing construction in the area had moved away from the prerogative of the farmer to the realm of the contractoribuilder. Historically ranking structures are: Greek Revival Farmhouse, (24900) Pierce Road, moved from Potato Creek site, c. 1850, S/11.8 Liberty Township Schoolhouse, District 7, 66984 Pine Road, c. 1890, S/11 L [12013L]. Eli McEndarfer Italianate Farmhouse & Barn, 67521 Pine Road, 1874, S/11.9 Cemetery, 24955 Riley Road, 1895, S/11 [12031]. Italianate Farmhouse, 24319 Riley Road, 1875, S/11, [12029]. Italianate Farmhouse, 24550 Riley Road, c. 1870, C/10, [12030]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 68137 Pine Road, c. 1890, C/10, [12015]. Zachariah Scheneman Italianate Farmhouse & Barn, 68437 Pine Road, 1891, S/12 L [12016]. John Long Farmhouse, 68737 Pine Road, 1840, C/10, [12017].10 ' Old Survey number 09014. 8 Old Survey, 12005. Unfortunately, the Italianate farmhouse was demolished between the 1979 survey and the 2000 survey. The bam dating to 1874 remains. Old Survey #: 12014. 10 The first survey of this farmhouse noted it as an example of the Federal style. The house was covered with brick patterned asbestos shingles, which reduced its historic rating. The house's exterior was recently renovated in a colonial revival style, resided, painted white, and given an entrance porch that covered the homes original stone lintel and posts surrounding the entranceway. Barn, 69150 Pine Road, c. 1890, S/11, [12018]. William Johnson Greek Revival Farmhouse, 25051 Stanton Road, 1851, S/11, [12037]. Barn, 24900 Stanton Road, c. 1900, C/10, [12036]. Yellow Bank Schoolhouse District 5, 69501 Pine Road, 1883, S/11, [12019]. Allen McEndarfer Italianate Farmhouse, 25618 Quinn Road, 1850, 0/13 L [12023L]. Allen McEndarfer Italianate House, 25618 Quinn Road, 1890, 0/13 L [12022L]. Italianate Farmhouse, (26191) Quinn Road, c. 1875, S/12, [12024].11 The housing stock along Pine Road differs from the Mulberry Road Concentration in that many of the houses exemplify the Stick vernacular style or seem to be simpler renditions of this style and are termed vernacular. The style dates these farmhouses to the 1880s and 1890s, which makes these homes almost a generation younger than those along Pine Road. Due to the number marshes that existed here, settlers may not have established farmsteads until drainage of the area could be accomplished. The area may not have blossomed agriculturally until the drainage occurred. Once the fertile soil could be tapped, the farmers would then have had the resources to build their new farmhouses and barns in the 1880s and 1890s. The need for drainage and the later agricultural development could possibly account for the stylistic differences and younger housing stock along Mulberry Road. Near Roosevelt Road the age of the farmhouses increase and more Greek revivals are extant. Mulberry Road Concentration Stick vernacular Farmhouse, 23256 New Road, c. 1890, S/11, [11038]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 23100 New Road, c. 1885, C/10 [11037]. Italianate Farmhouse, 22386 New Road, c. 1875, S/12, [11036]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 21140 New Road, c. 1870, C/10. [11035]. Stick Vernacular Farmhouse, 64172 Mulberry Road, 1894, S/12, [11029].12 Vernacular Farmhouse, 64350 Millet Road, 1890, S/11, [11028]. Stick vernacular Farmhouse, 22495 Millet Road, c. 1890, S/11 [11027]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 64489 Millet Road, c. 1880, C/10 [11030]. Olive Branch District Schoolhouse, 22629 Osborne Road, 1890, C/10 [11047].13 Vernacular Farmhouse, 22533 Osborne Road, c. 1890, C/10 [11046]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 21390 Osborne Road, c. 1890, S/11, [11045]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 23350 New Road, c. 1890, S/11, [11039]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 63877 Mulberry Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09018]. Barn, 22553 New Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09025]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 22435 New Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09024]. Maple Grove Methodist (Gothic revival) Church, 22019 New Road, c. 1885, S/11, [09023]. George Bush Vernacular Farmhouse, 63328 Mulberry Road, c. 1880, S/11 [09017]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 63251 Mulberry Road, c. 1880, S/11, [09016]. Italianate Farmhouse, 62503 Mulberry Road, 1872, S/12, [09015]. Greek Revival/ Vernacular Farmhouse, 23150 Roosevelt Road, c. 1880, S/11, [09051]. Greek Revival Farmhouse, 22937 Roosevelt Road, c. 1865, C/10, [09050]. Oak and Sumntion Trail Concentration The Sumption Trail Concentration in Greene Township has a number of farmhouses that date to the early pioneering years of St. Joseph County during the 1830s and 40s, including the George Sumption Farmhouse. Due to the early date of settlement in this area, many layers of housing construction are " Other farmhouses date to the 1890s and are examples of the vernacular style nearby this concentration that could also be linked to this concentration as well by style and by dating. These include: 12024, 12033,12032, 12021, 12008, 12007, and 12006. 12 This home may have been remodeled in 1894. 17 At the time of the 1975 survey, the owner was using this structure as a storage shed/ garage and it was very deteriorated with missing siding, unpainted wood, boarded up windows, and a large door cut into the front of the fagade. At that time, the siding under the gable retained the rising sun motif. present. Farmhouses with elements from the Federal, Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne styles exist in the area. Bungalows and newer housing stock are also present in this area. The early farmers and inhabitants used local materials to erect their homes and barns including: wood, fieldstone for foundations, and bricks made near Sumption Pond by the Sumption family. Several farmers in the area built their homes with these red -orange bricks. George Sumption (Federal) Farmhouse, 60413 Sumption Trail, 1832, 0/13 L, [09064 L]. Italianate Residence, 60559 Sumption Trail, c. 1875, C/10, [09065]. Sumption Prairie Cemetery, 23999 Kern Road, c. 1830, S/11, [09002]. Stick Vernacular Farmhouse, 61074 Oak Road, c. 1890, S/11, [09029]. Thomas Holloway (Italianate period revival) Farmhouse & Barn, 61229 Oak Road, c. 1860, S/1114 John McCullough (Greek Revival) Farmhouse & Barn, 61383 Oak Road, S/12, c. 1837, [09031]. Greek Revival Farmhouse, 61622 Oak Road, c. 1840, C/10, [09032]. Seth Hammond (Stick) Farmhouse & Barn, 61723 Oak Road, 1885, 0/13 L, [09033 L]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 61767 Oak Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09034]. Hoosier (Greek Revival) School, 62012 Oak Road, 1837, S/11 L, [09035 L]. Italianate Residence, 62129 Oak Road, c. 1875, C/10, [09036]. Vernacular Farmhouse and Barn, 62950 Oak Road, c. 1880, S/12, [09037]. Jacob Rupe (Stick Vernacular) Farmhouse, 62011 Orange Road, 0/13, c. 1880, [09038]. Greene Township School, 24702 Roosevelt Road, S/11,1929, [09052]. Bungalow Residence, 24136 Layton Road, 1915, C/10, [09007]. Queen Anne Farmhouse, 62555 Orange Road, c. 1905, C/10, [09039]. As shown in the tables above, Alternative A would lie quite close to three concentration of historic farmhouses, farms, early townships schools, community churches, and graveyards. All these areas provide physical remnants of those people who settled and lived in the county in the years of its early development. They are reminders of the early success of the county as an agricultural and commercial center for Indiana. Alternative A may also expand and pave over portions, if not all, of the New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana railroad corridor. This action would remove the relationship of the railway to the rural landscape and a significant piece of physical history of the county. Alternative A would also remove many of the reuse options for the New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana railroad line such as Rails to Trails. This alternative will also destroy the New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana rail line's historic relationship to the landscape and any possibility for the reuse of the RR corridor with minimal changes done to it. Alternative A would thus remove a remnant of St. Joseph County's ties to the railroad as the main passenger and freight transporter from the mid to late 1800s. Furthermore, this route will also impact Potato Creek State Park, due to the proximity of the road to the park. Though the road could provide more access to Potato Creek Park for recreational purposes, this benefit is canceled by the possible decrease in park health due to added traffic. It may also affect the historic Huggart settlement, an area in Union township where African Americans owned land, farmed, and played active roles in the community. Members of the settlement are buried in the Portage Cemetery in Potato Creek Park. The new road construction and other possible future developments will cause undue destruction and loss of the rural character of this area and to the concentrations of historic sites and structures nearby. The American rural landscape type is quickly being over run by strip centers, fast food restaurants, cell phone towers, highways, and subdivisions all in the name of tax dollars and economic benefits. 14 Old Survey, 09030. For the following reasons, staff finds that Alternative A is an unfavorable option for the reconstruction of US 31: 1.) Proximity of the proposed roadway to a great number of historic sites and structures that contain local cultural and environmental importance, retain local history, and are physical markers of the past; 2.) Threatens historic structures and two cemeteries along Oak Road; 3.) Proximity to Potato Creek State Park; 4.) Possible pavement over RR corridor and inability for reuse of said corridor for rail lines or trails; 5.) New roadway west of the current US 31, which will cause increased development in rural area. The proposed routes B through F follow the same path in St. Joseph County from Tyler Road until just north of the city of Lakeville. These alternatives enter the county via the Penn Central Railroad line and follow the line north on the western boundary of the city of Lakeville. It is possible that for a short distance these proposed paths would employ portions of US 3 l's roadway, yet mainly they would follow the railroad corridor. Near Osborne Road, Alternative F curves to the east and picks up the current US 31 roadbed once again. Further north, routes B through F split off from each other in Centre Township. Where options B through F follow the same roadway, some rated historic structures are in direct danger of destruction. The structures threatened include: 68680 U.S. 31, a 1890 vernacular farmhouse (11078, C/10); the Mary Garrett farmhouse that is a circa 1910 Queen Anne located at 68294 US 31 (11077, S/12); a Queen Anne dating to circa 1910 at 21099 Osborne Road (11044, S/12); and 19290 Osbome Road, a circa 1885 vernacular farmhouse and barn (11043, S/11). Alternatives B through E would affect a less significant vernacular farmhouse dating to 1910 at 20390 New Road (11034, C/10) as well as an outstanding rated structure, the D. F. Bailey barn. Andrew Toth, a South Bend architect, designed this gabled -roof barn in 1940 at 64347 U.S. 31 (11071, 0/13). It is one of the few architect -designed barns in the county. It employed new construction methods (transverse frame) of the period rather than the traditional heavy timber frame system and barn raising techniques. This barn therefore marks a great shift in barn building and social conventions of the area. Community barn raisings had gone out of favor. In their place, the mass-producing society of the 1940s had found quicker building methods that required fewer people. These alternatives are adjacent to fewer concentrations of historic structures than Alternative A in Union Township. They follow a railroad line like Alternative A. In this case, the alternatives follow what was once a line that Penn Central Railroad operated. The railroad filed for bankruptcy less than ten years after its merger with New York Central in 1970. Conrail bought Penn Central's railroad capital and that of other several other railroad companies in 1976 to form the railroad conglomerate. This line may also be the old Terre Haute and Logansport line that can be seen on a railroad map of Indiana dating to possibly 1896." Alternative B Alternative B splits from the other alternatives in Centre Township. Its path curves several times to the west as it reaches US 23 and then connects to the current US 31. To link US 23 and US 31, option B will carve a new path through the county and could adversely affect the following structures and their surrounding properties: 15 From the Library of Congress online library. State Board of Tax Commissioners, "Railroad Map of Indiana;' (Indianapolis, 1896 (?)), American Memory, http://memory.loc.gov. 08026 S/11 21405 New Road Residence 08016 S/11 21384 Madison Road George Phillips Farmhouse 08017 S/11 21595 Madison Road George Fox Farmhouse 08032 C/10 21950 Roosevelt Road Barn 08031 C/10 21793 Roosevelt Road Barn James Vandenbosch Farmhouse & 08013L 0/13 L 61955 Locust Road Barn 09022 S/11 09019L S/11 L 09020 C/10 09058 C/10 09057 S/12 60800 Myrtle Road 59375 Myrtle Road 59701 Myrtle Road 23014 State Road 23 22727 State Road 23 Residence Jaboc Russell Farmhouse & Barns Residence Residence Residence V c. 1895 V 1863 QA c. 1895 Agri c.1900 Agri c.1900 2E 1876 V c. 1895 GrR 1840 V c. 1890 GrR 1870 QA 1911 Unfortunately, Route B would threaten two landmarks and could possibly impact the historic concentrations to the west if much future development occurs. This plan also draws the freeway further to the west of the current US 31, and away from South Michigan Street and downtown South Bend. Staff finds this approach slightly more favorable than Alternative A, but less favorable than other alternatives because Option B could possibly harm two landmarks and would not approach South Bend's downtown from South Michigan Street. Alternative C The third alternative, Alternative C, continues to follow the Penn Central/Conrail railroad corridor into Centre Township and South Bend until US20. Option C may directly threaten 08026 (a vernacular residence at 21405 New Road that rated S/11), 08016, the George Philips Farmhouse, 08014, a contributing Federal style farmhouse, and possibly 08009, a contributing American Foursquare; yet, it seems that these could be structurally retained with some loss of property. It will affect one structure that rates an Outstanding/13, the D. F. Bailey bank barn that Andrew Toth designed in 1940. Overall, this US 31 possibility will threaten fewer historically rated structures and no landmarks in comparison to Alternatives A and B. Because Alternative C does not shift US 31 too far from its current path, this possible road right of way may provide the city with an opportunity to enhance the southern entrance of the city even though traffic will be shifted from the current South Michigan Street entrance. This may be a good end result because the fast moving traffic could be diverted from Michigan Street, and thus increase the possibility of enhanced commercial and retail operations approaching downtown as well as the creation of a more vibrant, high-density urban environment than exists at this time. This placement though would end any chance for the reuse of the railroad right of way and the retention of the corridor's presence in the county landscape as a marker of historic period. Because C does not impact any landmarks nor any pocket of historic structures and only affects a few historic buildings, staff finds that alternative C has far fewer drawbacks than A and B and many of the other options, such as E, G, H, and I. Alternative D Alternative D mostly follows the Penn Central/Conrail corridor except it may curve to the east along US 20 and then rejoin US 31. In addition to the structures threatened by alternative C, option D may affect the property of 08009, an American Four-square at 20545 Johnson Road. This possible route does draw the freeway back toward the current US 31 path and S. Michigan Street. Although some highly rated structures would be affected, no current landmarks would be affected by this route. Though the roadway may cover the RR corridor, Alternative D's position is located close enough to the current US 31 as to allow for development in a possibly already built-up commercial zone. Thus, the county's rural landscapes would be preserved for a time from future possible encroachment of low-density suburban type commercialization. Staff finds that Option D is more favorable than C and several other options because of the reasons stated above and because this option will draw traffic to S. Michigan Street and possibly to downtown South Bend. In the long run, this could lead to future development along Michigan Street and perhaps to some revitalization from the south of the South Gateway District. Alternative E Curving into US 31 further to the south in comparison to option D, Alternative E will affect any structure impacted by route C as well as where E overlaps with route F: 08040, a barn dating to 1885 that rates S/11, 08041, a contributing Queen Anne residence, and 08039, the Julia Schafer farmhouse that ranks S/12. Option E may directly affect two local historic landmarks 08038 L, the Joseph Farneman Italianate farmhouse on US 31 and Southlawn Cemetery. The cemetery dates to 1850 and has a small administration building dating to the 1920s. It will affect a large portion of the Penn Central/Conrail RR corridor. Because Alternative E will affect two local landmarks along US 31, staff finds that this option is not as favorable as C and D. To its benefit, Route E would not harm the large amount of historic structures that line US 31. Staff feels that one might as well choose D over E because one would still travel over the RR corridor and link to Michigan Street but the road would not affect those landmarks. Alternative F Of all the routes to be studied, Alternative F remains on the current US 31 path for the longest distance. North of the city of Lakeville, F curves to the east to rejoin the existing US 31. The proposed route ends at the US 31 junction with US 20. Due to the large amount of residential and commercial development along US 31, alternative F offers many challenges. Nine historic structures, including two local landmarks, and possibly more stand along the roadside. If the roadway is widened, many of these homes and businesses, historic or not, may have to be moved or demolished. Yet, it may be preferable to reuse an existing travel artery rather than cut through rural and suburban areas with new roadbeds. The negative impact on the specific structures along the roadway, though great in the short term, may be comparably less than the possible long term negative affects upon the county's landscape and living environments caused by the construction of one of the other options. Of the many structures that would be directly affected by possible improvements and widening of US 31 as proposed in Alternative F, the following are historic and recorded on the Historic Structures Inventory of St. Joseph County completed by the Historic Preservation Commission and Crumlish & Sporleder in 1975. As a�erson drives north in Union County, he or she may gather a brief glimpse of a 1924 bungalow, l a circa 1880s vernacular farmhouse on the 1eft17 and a circa 1890s Queen Anne residence on the right. 18 One also asses two historic barns dating to 1885 and 1890 and another Queen Anne residence from 1910. 9 Nearing the limits of the city of South Bend, a driver may find two significant structures along the roadway: the Julia Schafer House at 61550 US 31, an Italianate vernacular house dating to 1885, and the Joseph Farneman Farmhouse at 61191 US 31, an Italianate that dates to around 1870 (08039, 08038 L). The later residence is currently a local landmark and unfortunately now stands vacant. Lastly, a significant rated barn located at 62697 Ironwood Road would also be impacted by possible expansion work completed on US 31 (08007). Alternative F may threaten to take some of the Southlawn Cemetery's property. If F is chosen, commercial development would remain in along US 31 instead of dispersing to the east or west of South Bend and into the farmlands of the county. New development along this route could possibly enhance the southern entrance to the city of South Bend and then revive an aging and 16 64087 US 31, 11070, C/10. 1' 08044, 63610 US 31, C/10. - " 08043, 63419 US 31, C/10. '' 08042, 62515 US 31, Bam, c. 1890, C/10; 08041 61953 US 31, QA, 1910, C/10; 08040, 61601 US 31, bam, c. 1885, S/11. deteriorating neighborhood. Essentially, staff hopes that INDOT will attempt to reuse as much of US 3l's current road bed, employ access ramp designs that will gobble up less land compared to the large clover leaf design, and spare as many structures as possible from demolition. HPC staff also hopes INDOT will construct roadways that will attempt to balance respect for what already exists in a location with future hopes for economic benefits and development. For the following reasons, staff finds that Alternative F is a workable alternative for the reconstruction of US 31: 1.) Reuse of most current US 31's right of way; 2.) Will not threaten the RR corridors and possible less intrusive reuse possibilities; 3.) Future development will occur along existing travel right-of-way and not have drastic impact upon county landscapes; 4.) Retains entranceway into the city at Michigan Street, which may allow for possible revival of the South Gateway District. But alternative F is complicated by the presence of several historic structures and two local landmarks. Alternatives G, H & I The following three alternatives, G, H, and I, move US 31 east of Lakeville and further into rural areas of the county. All three enter St. Joseph County just west of Linden Road (a historic barn is located nearby) and would travel diagonally northeast around Riddles Lake and toward Juniper Road. The proposed path comes close to these rated structures: Old Survey Rating Number New Survey Number 11062 ? 11011 141-339-85060 (QA) 11052 C/10 11051 S/11 11050 141-694-85047 Farmhouse & English 141-694-85048 141-694-85046 141-339-85061 Address 20471 Rockstroh Road 67518 Kenilworth Road 19101 Pierce Road 19022 Pierce Road 18518 Pierce Road 18601 Pierce Road 18318 Pierce Road 67475 Kenilworth Road Title Rating Farmhouse & Barn S/11 Residence C/10 Residence C/10 Schoolhouse C/10 Isaac Sells Farmhouse S/11 Sweitzer Barn C/10 Farmhouse & English S/11 Bank Barn S Barn C/10 Style Year V c. 1890 V c. 1890 GrR/V c. 1860 V c. 1910 StV c. 1890 Agri c. 1900 Agri c. 1880/1910 Go Arch c. 1945 Alternative G then follows Juniper north as options H and I continue to the northeast. Option G then curves to the west just south of Roosevelt Road. Between Roosevelt Road and Southlawn Cemetery further north, option G would possibly hook into the existing path of US 31. This alternative would also impact several other historic structures including: 11042 18681 Osborne Road Julia Schafer Farmhouse S/12 StV c. 1875 11041 65620 Oak Road Residence C/10 V c. 1890 08021 62951 Miami Road Residence S/11 V c. 1870 08020 62485 Miami Road Residence S/11 V c. 1900 08036L 63049 Turkey Trail Francis Donahue Farmhouse & Barn 0/13 L It 1861 08030L 19251 Roosevelt Road George Schafer S/12 L QA 1908 A small pocket of historic buildings along Turkey Trail in Centre Township would also be affected by the construction of a new US 31 through the area. Turkev Trail Concentration Old Survey New Survey Number Number Rating Address 08033 S/11 62601 Turkey Trail 08034 C/10 62600 Turkey Trail 08035 141-694-70039 C/10 62919 Turkey Trail 08036L 141-694-70038 0/13 L 63049 Turkey Trail 08020 S/11 62485 Miami Road 11051 141-694-70028 62485 Miami Road 08021 S/11 62951 Miami Road 08019L 141-694-70027 0/13 L 62290 Miami Road 08030L S/12 L 19251 Roosevelt Road 141-694-70029 C/10 19250 Roosevelt Road 08024 C/10 19940 Miller Road Title Residence Barn Residence Francis Donahue Farmhouse & Barn Residence Barn, gambrel roof Residence George Schafer Farmhouse & Barn George Schafer Barn Residence Style Year V c. 1900 Agri c. 1890 V c.1890 It 1861 V c. 1900 c. 1910 V c. 1870 QA QA Agri V 1908 1908 c. 1910 1890 Staff finds that Alternative G is less appealing than Alternative C, D, and F because the route: 1. may impact three landmarks, 2. threatens to affect a concentration of structures along Turkey Trail and adjacent roads, 3. as well as several other historic structures in Union and Centre Townships, 4. and moves the freeway off the current path and through rural areas, which will cause the possible dispersal of development from the current commercial corridor along US 31. At the intersection of Juniper and Pierce Roads, options H and I are proposed to continue and travel further east. H has a diagonal path and then curves to the north and connects with US 331 or the Bremen Highway near the City of Mishawaka. Though US 331 is most likely a larger federal road for the area and the transfer of US 31 to its roadbed would not be too drastic a change, two landmarks are nearby the proposed routes in addition to other historic structures. These include: Old Survey Number Rating Address Title Style Year *11068 S/11 (21301) Tyler Road Barn Agri c. 1900 11050 S/11 18518 Pierce Road Isaac Sells Farmhouse StV c. 1890 11051 C/10 19022 Pierce Road Schoolhouse c. 1910 11052 C/10 19101 Pierce Road Residence GrN c. 1860 *11018 S/11 65131 Miami Road Residence V c. 1895 11062 S/11 20471 Rockstroh Road Farmhouse & Barn V c. 1890 11011 C/10 67518 Kenilworth Road Residence V c. 1890 11017 C/10 64955 Miami Road Residence V c. 1875 11019 C/10 (65501) Miami Road Residence St/V c. 1860 11013 C/10 68581 Linden Road Residence V c. 1890 11053 C/10 19428 Pierce Road Residence V c. 1890 11054 C/10 19790 Pierce Road Residence A4 c. 1915 11067 S/11 (20801) Tyler Road Barn & Granary Agri c. 1900 11049 C/10 (18000) Pierce Road Residence V c. 1870 *10073 C/10 (14000) Madison Road Residence V c. 1895 10085 S/11 (1679 1) New Road Residence GrR 1863 10016 C/10 62901 Bremen Highway Residence V c. 1880 10017 C/10 64299 Bremen Highway Residence V c. 1890 10019 S/11 64801 Bremen Highway Residence GrR 1855 10070 S/12 17850 Layton Road Residence & Barn GrR 1835 *06015 C/10 55700 Beech Road Barn Agri 1900 *06016 C/10 58581 Blackberry Road Barns Agri 1900 *06017 S/11 59565 Bremen Highway Barn Agri 1870 *06018 C/10 59700 Bremen Highway Residence & Barn V 1910 6040 S/11 16420 Dragoon Trail Residence V 1880 *06091 C/10 16901 Roosevelt Road Residence A4 1905 6064 S/11 61900 Ironwood Road Residence V 1885 6065 C/10 10390 Jackson Road Residence V 1890 6030 S/11 60094 Dogwood Road Residence V 1895 6083 S/11 (15431) Kern Road Barn Agri 1875 6084 C/10 16350 Kern Road Residence V 1890 06020 S/12 60029 Bremen Highway Farmhouse & Barn V 1880 *06023L 0/13L 61601 Bremen Highway Henry Crofoot Farmhouse & Barn It 1876 *06021 L 0/13L 60500 Bremen Highway Willard Crofoot Farmhouse & Barn QA 1901 06022 C/10 61600 Bremen Highway Farmhouse & Barn GrR/V 1875 06053 C/10 59979 Grass Road Residence V 1900 06056 C/10 61300 Hawthorne Trail Residence V 1895 06073 S/12 15455 Jackson Road Aaron Weiss Farmhouse QA 1901 06074 C/10 15753 Jackson Road Residence V 1890 06083 S/11 (15431) Kern Road Barn Agri 1875 06084 C/10 16350 Kern Road Residence V 1890 Staff finds that Option H is less favorable that other options because it will shift US 31 away from downtown South Bend and may harm two important landmarks: the Henry Crofoot farm and the William Crofoot farm. Through option I, INDOT studies an even more eastern route that ends at Capital Avenue in Mishawaka. Such an action could have enormous resonance and affects upon the area in the future. This final alternative to be examined here does not impact any current landmarks though it could impact an outstanding/13 rated Italianate farmhouse at 14016 Dragoon Trail, Eustler Cemetery, and several other significantly rated and contributing historic structures such as: 11068 S/11 (21301) Tyler Road Barn Agri c. 1900 11062 S/11 20471 Rockstroh Road Farmhouse & Barn V c. 1890 *10021 S/11 (65500) Bremen Highway Residence V c. 1880 *10054 S/11 63751 Elm Road Residence V 1900 10056 S/11 64578 Elm Road Residence V c. 1890 *06082 S/11 12295 Kern Road Residence SW 1895 Staff believes that this too is also an unfavorable solution to the current US 31 traffic and safety woes for the reasons presented above. From a strictly historical preservationist perspective, Alternative I does not impact as many historically rated structures as A, B, or G. STAFF REPORT REGARDING HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN THE SOUTH GATEWAY DISTRICT, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Date: 07-11-03 Entryways have long been used throughout the history of architecture to prepare a visitor for what lies beyond. They can spark people's interest with visual grandeur or carefully crafted architectural complexity. The grand Doric and Ionic entrance to Athen's Acropolis, the Propylea, acted as an art gallery as well as an uplifting route of passage from the profaneness of the ancient city to the supreme sanctity of the rocky promontory upon which stands the Parthenon, the gem dedicated to the city's patron, Athena. Lobbies of opera houses and theaters of previous decades offered visual delights to prepare one for the glitz and glamour presented in a show. Even the simple classical elements of surrounding the doorways of Georgian colonial residences spoke to visitors regarding the pride an owner held in his or her home. Motif such as the pineapple decorated doorways as signs of welcome and hospitality. - Similarly, cities also have entranceways that help to define its character, relationship to the rest of the world, and its notion of itself and its people. The medieval walls of European cities exuded perhaps a sense of protection and safety behind which men and women could live with minimal fear of attack. Though most American cities never built walls for protection and many European have removed theirs for the sake of modern development, our cities have found other means to welcome travelers, business people residents into our public places. Signage, bridges, and even airports can act as entryways into cities. The Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco offers one example of a majestic icon and confident "doorway" for the city on the bay. Currently, South Bend's doorways need a boost from perhaps an ounce of such confidence. Leeper Park and the Leeper Bridge on North Michigan Street are fine examples of kind welcome mats to South Bend, but other passages into the city offer only harshness, decline and chaotic presence to anyone driving through. In contrast to N. Michigan Street, the South Gateway district along S. Michigan Street has often been sited by city planning commissions as such an example of an unkind doorway into South Bend. Once a street lined with stately brick commercial buildings that also contained apartments for rent on the upper floors, S. Michigan Street now lacks the visual unity necessary for a confident presentation of South Bend's character. Many empty lots, random development, poor upkeep, and lighting deficiency present a chaotic face to the visitor. Yet, of what structures remain along this prominent passage into downtown, S. Michigan Street contains much promise for reuse and future development. The area along S. Michigan Street closest to downtown contains a number of attractive historic structures that could form the hub of a redevelopment area. From the 200s block to the 500s block, several structures line the street with fewer gaps and vacant lots than other strips along Michigan Street. Many of these buildings were built in the 1910s and 1920s and they still offer study brick facades and structures with classic detailing rarely duplicated by today's construction techniques, materials, and style. Because of the proximity to downtown and its commercial, governmental, retail, and entertainment features, this area may be a good place to start renovation of the South gateway district and to cement the beginnings of a more cohesive entryway into the downtown area. The historic structures that still stand in this area could act as the core and/ or the supporting features of this entranceway. -1- 500s S. Michigan Street Beginning with the 500s block of S Michigan Street and heading north, several neo-classical styled, two- story brick commercial buildings stand close to the street. Many are apart of the once proposed South Michigan National Register Historic District. However, only about half actually have tenants and house viable commercial operations and businesses. The others seem to be used as storage buildings or are currently vacant. The most southern historic structure on this block is the 1923 neo-classical dark -red brick and light terra cotta building located at 530-532 S. Michigan. The Breskin Wall Paper Company and Sample Furniture Company once were operated from these storefronts. Joseph Breskin, the owner of the property in 1923 and man had the structure built, lived in the apartment above. The building was sold to Metropolitan Life in 1933 apparently in a sheriffs sale after the Breskin's had taken out a second mortgage to finance the building. The building now houses the active Hope Rescue Mission. A parking lot is located at the corner of S. Michigan and South Street for use by the Mission's employees. This parking lot and the 'tree lawn" in front of the building could be repaired to look more attractive and to provide a more visibly stable corner. 520 (524?) S. Michigan Street now includes two storefronts; both are one-story buildings that house Store Printing & Design and Lithographic Printers. The store closer to South St has a brick parapet wall with wide and sloped sides and the other has been faced with metal siding. Historic importance of these buildings is less contributing to the area for many changes have occurred to them. They are most likely younger in date as well. Further north on the same block is the building known as the Monarch Printing Company, 516-518 S. Michigan Street. This building was designated a local landmark by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Common Council in 1995. Begun a few years before Breskin's store in 1921, the builder of this two- story structure employed neo-classical details to provide visual interest on the exterior that wrap around the building into the alleyway. Light terra cotta window surrounds with vine motif medallions, projecting cornice, stringcourses, and oval arcade -like openings in the parapet provide a delicate contrast to the richness of the dark brick exterior, One window on the south side of the building reveals that the originals may have been of the 2/2 double hung type. New windows have replaced the originals. Jacob S. Kerner purchased Lot 9 of Martin's Addition in 1916 for investment purposes but did not start to build until 1921. By 1925, the building housed Paul Anderson's Electric Shop, the Monarch Printings Company, and a second floor apartment where Don E. Williams, an autoworker, resided. Kerner was born on 5 October 1860 in Erie, Pennsylvania and married Maggie Weist Kerner (date not noted). When he was fifteen, Kerner began his long career as a fireman. He joined the Young Hoosier No. 4 volunteer firefighters unit in 1875, also worked for the Studebaker fire brigade, and became the Second Assistant Chief in September of 1886 when South Bend established its first paid fire -fighting department. In 1891, he received a promotion to First Assistant Chief, and in 1894, he retired from the force and began work for the American Express Company. He returned to the fire company when he was appointed as Fire Chief in 1898 and he retained that position until 1901.1 After ownership by the Kerner's, the property changed hands several times over the course of the last seventy-five years. In 1925/26, it seems that the property was transferred from Maggie Kerner's name to Isadore and Jacob Mooren. Because of delinquency and default on the land contract, the Mooren's gave up the property in 1932 to Emma Staples, who passed away in 1936. Between 1936 and the 1960s, the property knew many owners before Joe Gendel purchased it in 1963. Gendel employed the storefront for his business, Gendel's Surplus Sales, from 1965 until 1977. Ironically, this building was gutted by fire ' County Survey file; Historic and Architectural Significance Report, August 1995, 2-3. -2- sometime in the 1980s, which damaged the interior but left the exterior in good shape. In 1987, Pro Sound Music bought and rehabilitated the building and property, but unfortunately, the business did not survive long. Pro Sound's store sign and mural on the north wall call still be seen. Mr. Gendel repurchased the building to use as storage for his store, Fat Daddy's, which is located at 501/503 S. Michigan Street.2 Aside from some remaining traces of fire upon the second -story windows on the south side, the building's structure appears sound and in good condition. Because of its use as storage, it seems that the flat roof is also weather -worthy and leak -proof. Semi-opaque Plexiglas now covers the large glass display windows that were installed probably in 1987. All the alley windows on the south side have been covered and boarded up with asphalt shingles. Because of the tinted and covered windows, staff was unable to gauge the condition of the interior. Behind the original structure, a one-story concrete block addition was recently constructed with a tiled flat roof and rear garage door for shipping and delivery purposes. This garage is assessable by a narrow back alley that is not suitable for public access to the building. Code Enforcement surveyed the building in 1997 and found several violations including: exposed wiring, soggy flooring, infestation, lack of heating and water, and the buildup of trash and fecal materials. Code did not seem to find violations related to the structure and exterior of the building. The major need for rehab would be in the interior if it remains in this condition. Unfortunately, parking is a limited resource for this storefront. To the north of the building exists a grassy side lot where an adjacent building once stood. This lot is. probably too narrow for parking purposes but it could be used as a small park or patio. The purple and yellow colored Expert Tire business stands adjacent to the empty lot on the southwest corner of S. Michigan and Monroe. On -street parking seems to be the most convenient place to leave one's car to enter this building. Parking across S. Michigan could be an option, but because high-speed traffic zooms by in this area, this possibility is highly dangerous for pedestrians. On the opposite side of Michigan Street, one will first walk or more likely drive past Midas Auto Service Experts at 525 S. Michigan. This more recent business does not hold the sidewalk line/frontage line similar to the earlier buildings. Rather, an ample parking lot abuts the property adjacent to Michigan and South Streets. One should note that this parking lot is relatively in good condition and not broken and weedy. Beyond Midas and its parking lot stand three more storefronts from the 1910s and 20s, the historic period of note for this block. They stand in one continuous line and have entranceways that meet any visitors at the sidewalk. 517 S. Michigan (513-515-517-517 %) was built on lot 21 of Martin's Addition possibly prior to 1911, the year in which the Lindahl brothers, Alfred and Gustav, purchased the property for $17,000.3 The brothers bought the property from Abraham Byers, who may have had the building constructed where three earlier residences once stood. The Lindahl's operated a farm implements store in 517-517 and operated a blacksmith and horseshoeing 'shop in the rear of the building with William R Johnson. These men also crafted wagons and buggies in their shop, a trade from which the Studebaker's also originated. Above the store, Lindahl's included two apartments; one which they rented for additional income and the other which housed Alfred Lindahl and his wife, Elsie. The second story also housed the Argyle Hotel during the year 1914-1925. Mrs. Lillian Lowe operated it. This hotel may be one of the few remaining examples of an urban boarding and rooming house in South Bend. This form of rental housing was quite prevalent across the country during the early decades of the century. Many single men found respite, camaraderie, and meals in these rooming houses prior to marriage. Z Historic and Architectural Significance Report, August 1995, 3. 3 -3- Over the years, many other commercial tenants have also operated their businesses from the addresses housed in this building as well as occupants who called the building home. Some of these many past tenants include the Paul C. Inwood Grocery store, crockery shops, bakers and pie makers, a Maytag appliance store, and Fameman-Tasher Motor Company, distributors of Cole and REO motorcars and REO trucks. This business was run by JI) Fameman and CA Tasher. Several of the businesses seemed to remain for several years at a time, an indicator of their success and importance to the neighborhood. The Inwood Grocery store is one such example. According to a South Bend Tribune article from 1965, Paul C Inwood started his grocery business in 1919 at 107 E. Monroe Street in an 18' by 60' room. The business grew to fill 44,000 sq ft of sale space and an 18,000 sq ft warehouse. It employed twenty-five people after beginning with only one clerk. Architecturally, this building was constructed solidly with brick and stone neo-classical detailing. Double brackets aligned over flat brick pilasters with stone "capitals' provide the appearance of support for the pressed metal projecting cornice. Stone sills and flat brick "arches' articulate the windows, now installed with 1/1 double hung aluminum storms. The building was also constructed with a flat roof and a parapet wall capped with stone. 517-513 S. Michigan stands abutting the sidewalk in the front and next to an alleyway on the building's south side. It is directly adjacent to 507-509 S. Michigan Street. Currently on street parking exists, but this is limited to a few spots in front of the building. Because the structure extends deep into the block, parking cannot be found behind the storefronts. Next door, a slightly younger building stands at 507-509 (+511?) S. Michigan Street. This building was also considered for the proposed South Michigan National Register Historic District and rates a Significant/1 1. Designed in 1922 by the architect W. W. Schneider for Daniel Guler, this neo-classical brick building also has lovely and unique terra cotta detailing that creates a more ornamented upper portion of the fagade with three large medallions and terra cotta courses. Paired 1/1 double hung metal windows are arranged in three bays on the second story with the medallions centered above. A terra cotta stringcourse separates the first and second stories. Decorative medallions note where the storefronts divide. Many commercial operations opened their doors to the community in this building and several South Benders lived in the apartments above the stores. The 1923 County Directory notes that the Smith -Alsop South Bend Paint Company took up business next door to the Chard & Thopset (?) Hardware Store. This paint company remained at 507 S. Michigan until the late 1970s. The storefront at 509 saw a much more diverse and fluid mix of businesses. In 1991 and 1994, fires damaged this building. In 1995 and most likely prior to this year, Joe Gendel also owned this building in addition to 516-518 and 501-503. Code Enforcement surveyed the "Smith -Alsop Paint Company" building in 1995 and called for its demolition due to structural offences due to the fires, damaged bricks and open mortar joints, roof deterioration and collapse, and general deterioration of the chimneys. Code also included broken windows and doors, damaged plaster, flooring, and ceiling, impassable stairs and poor ventilation, water services, lighting, and heating on its long list of violations. The office requested funds from HUD for the demolition or bracing of this building. Much money would need to be invested into this building for it to become a clean and sound structure that could house viable businesses. One estimate suggested $225,000-300,000 to clean up the building versus $75,000 for demolition. The loss of this building would have created another large gap in Michigan Street. Some changes have been made to the exterior including the addition of inappropriate siding on the first story. (Current use and structural ?) Again, parking is limited to the few spaces on the street and with relatively little presence of pedestrian traffic needed to support this and other business. Some parking could be created in the rear, but access to the building and number of spaces are both limited. The difficulty many owners have found with this location is probably due to the sparseness of apartment and residences in immediate area that house a concentration of people who would frequent any business located nearby. The dangerously fast speeds of the traffic on S. Michigan/ US 31 also persuade people not to stop unless they have significant need and desire to do so. The final real estate to be discussed on S. Michigan Street in the 500s block is currently occupied by Fat Daddy's Outlet, a surplus clothing store. This business is located at 501/503 S. Michigan on the corner of this main road and Monroe Street. It too has neo-classical style due to its brick and terra cotta details: brick pilasters with decorative terra cotta capitals, stringcourses at comice line and sill level, and a centered medallion and brackets below the sill string course. Three groupings of four 1/1 double hung windows provide ample light to the second story and to any commercial operation housed there. The north side of the building also has many windows arranged in the same manner, a terra cotta stringcourse as a comice line and original detailing surrounding an entrance. Prior to 1914/1915, a residence had been built on the property. Between 1912 and 1914, this structure had been split into apartments, where as Albert Morgan had been the sole resident until 1911-12. In 1912, Morgan sold the property to Myer Seeberger, who apparently transformed the house into apartments and then had the three commercial storefronts built around 1915-1916. In 1916, the building housed several businesses including a pharmacy and American Express. Around 1919, the Edgar G. Coates, Drugs pharmacy operated from 501 S. Michigan. It remained a lasting establishment and neighborhood pharmacy into the 1940s. Coates was a founding member of the South Bend Pharmacy Club and served as its long- time treasurer. He passed away in 1940 (b. 1875- d. 1940). In the 1950s, it became Harmony Pharmacy. From the exterior, this building seems strong, well built and in good condition, though interior repairs and rehabilitation would probably need a good amount of investment. The storefronts located here benefit from their comer location and visibility from both streets. This location also provides more on -street parking, though more may be found further on Monroe. This building is part of a grouping of three gems, a rarity in South Bend's urbanscape that should be preserved, rehabilitated for reuse, and used as an anchor for the neighborhood. Luckily, the opposite corner is also visually maintained by another 1920s building. The presence of the Post Office and Express Tire pull the corners back from Michigan Street and deeper into their lots. Due to code violations in the late 1990s, Code Enforcement sought to have many of these historic structures demolished. It was deemed that it would be more cost effective to teardown these structures than to rehab and retain. However, what would have been lost in historic quality of construction will could never be rebuilt today with the modern penchant for efficiency and savings. The HPC and its director at that time worked to keep the wrecking ball from touching these important buildings. Hopefully, the coming years will be kind to them as well. Because several historic storefronts and commercial businesses stand along the 500s block of S. Michigan Street including the Landmark Monarch Printing Company, it would be lovely to see investment put into their rehabilitation as well as the renovation of the streetscape. If the storefronts along this block could all improve and if less transient businesses found, then the city would have a lovely area of shops and perhaps restaurants in a district that dates to the 1920s. Perhaps, the creation of South Michigan Street into a boulevard and the addition of apartments and new storefronts to fill in the gaps could tum this area into a small, revived neighborhood close to the entertainment, commercial and governmental operations of the city. -5- .7 q U JUL 7 2003 530-532 S. Michigan Street Hope Rescue Mission 520 S. Michigan Street Mt 513, 515, 517, 517 1/2 S. Michigan Street (5171 Aravle Hotel. Undahl Brothers f j7 -R, ID Ju _200 518-516 S. Michigan Street Monarch Prinina Co. 520 S Michigan Street 507-509 S. Michigan Street Smith-AISOD Paint Store. etc 501 S. Michigan Street 1915-19167 y �! r 7-- 1]IT U. Dudes n Darlin's Shop, now for sale, 909-907 S. Michigan Street View of currently unrated structure - 909-907 S. Michigan Street 'mmm mom., s•?.tuV. ... h.«S � tz.u.GSa.... a. «�w'*r ..M1...�/x_i.«......v - ..... a�cSJ.r�{s C.^A L�3a.`Y.� i.i. 501 S. Michigan Street 1915-19167 y �! r 7-- 1]IT U. Dudes n Darlin's Shop, now for sale, 909-907 S. Michigan Street View of currently unrated structure - 909-907 S. Michigan Street National Transportation Improvement Grants (?) for the historic area and at least for the streetscape — renewal historic transportation zone. 400s S. Michigan Street Closer to downtown and in downtown, several other great buildings that have significant historic ratings are located along the main gateway into the city. These buildings were also built in the same boom years at the beginning of the Roaring 1920s as those on the 500s block and employ similar materials (dark red brick and terra cotta) to create a distinguished neo-classical look. At the northwest corner of Monroe and Michigan stands Whitmer-McNease Music and Michiana News Stand at 439 S. Michigan. This 1922 building is in excellent condition for its age and in comparison to the others mentioned previously. Whitmer-McNease seems to have a strong business in the music instruments area. Parking along Monroe Street and Michigan Street as well as behind the building on Monroe provides this store with its customers. Retro signage is eye catching and appealing from a driver's or a stroller's perspective. Next to this successful store, another vacant building faces S. Michigan Street as it curves to the right and becomes St. Joseph Street and zips past the Century Center, the rest of downtown and out of South Bend. 425-429 S Michigan Street suffers from a lack of visibility, access and parking. A large tree lawn and sidewalk area make this a prime store front for a great restaurant with outdoor eating in the summer; yet the parking next door is not accessible to this storefront (even though its generally empty at night) and the curve of South Michigan Street away from the building deters customers from stopping and parking. The thick tree cover though lovely in summer buries the building in shade during the late afternoon, actually is perfect for an evening summer meal. Some small-scale lighting, even Christmas lights, would brighten the area. Again, the road way is a problem for who wants to eat or live or work next to a roaring traffic artery with only a view of the post office. 425-429 S. Michigan was built in 1923 for Eva Nicely, the owner of La Salle Paper, after she took out a mortgage for $175,000 in order to erect this structure; however, her trust in the building only lasted until 1926. It has a more subdued exterior, termed 20� century Functional, than found on the other buildings from the period. What it does not have in terra cotta detail, it gains in size as a three-story brick structure. The builder did enhance the exterior with decorative corbelling in a checker pattern and stone detailing at the cornice line. Broken into three bays, each has two pairings of 1/1 double hung windows to catch the afternoon sun on the second and third stories. These rooms could be used as office space or as apartments. New, dark brown aluminum siding with a vertical pattern has been added to the first story. The exterior looks as if repair work had been completed and the interior seems rather new and well kept. 423 S. Michigan also stands attached to this three-story building and is cloaked in metal siding that matches 425- 429. Both were occupied by Inwoods in the 1980s. Sears, Roebuck, & Co signed a twenty-year lease in 1928 from Wilber Warner to be located on S. Michigan Street. The Strand Theatre: 309 S. Michigan Street The Strand retains the charms of a prior era when speakeasies, talkies, and movies were just hitting the scene and starting a new rage among people of all ages. Movie houses offered new forms of entertainment for the American public and new places to go to in the city. They also brought the country together culturally with fictive pieces, newsworthy documentaries, and the glamour of the Hollywood movie stars. The Strand is perhaps one of four original 1920s theatre/movie house/entertainment spaces left in South Bend, the others being the State and the Morris and the Palais Royal, which opened as a dance hall. It is perhaps the one of two original movie house left in the city; the other movie house being the State Theatre. The Colfax and others were demolished during the years of urban renewal. Built in 1900 as commercial office and business space, 309 S. Michigan saw many tenants in its lifetime before the building was renovated in 1926 and opened as the Strand in 1927 at the end of the Roaring 20s. In 1949, the theatre was renovated, a new fagade "graced" the buildings exterior, and the name changed from the Strand to the Avon. It remained open as a theatre until the 1960s when the management at that time was charged for showing obscene movies and the Strand/Avon had declined from its early years as a pearl of the city. 309 S. Michigan now sticks out like a sore thumb in need of attention amidst many new and restored buildings in downtown South Bend. When surveyed in the 1980s, the building's first story fagade was still covered by the metal siding placed to modernize and update its style. Recently, this siding has been removed to reveal the original creamy terra cotta fagade. Some work has been completed on this building but much needs to be done. The removal of the applied facade revealed many large nails used to attach the siding. Some damage (cracking, chipping, rust, and nail holes) occurred to the fagade stones, and some of the mortar joints need repair. New display windows were added, but the surrounding wood framing is exposed and holes allow birds to enter the building. Droppings cover the floor near these windows. Wiring and insulation are visible and loose. The exterior and interior are unsightly and dirty in several areas. - Even with these negative points, the building has seen attention in recent years and retains many lovely features that will enhance the atmosphere of any business that enters this location. A new brick veneer was added to the south side of the building where others had been torn down to make way for the existing parking lot that could be used by any business entering the building. The metal ticket sales booth from the 1940s/1 950s or later still stands in the center doorway. It needs some repair, but is an interesting item for the front of this building. The ramp leading to the theatre still exists, as do the wood doors added in one of the later renovations. The side offices/stores;could be used as additional lobby/concession spaces if the building were returned to its status as a movie house and the building next door could also include retail, restaurant, or office space in conjunction with the theatre. A 1989 -feasibility study carried out by Daniel Pierotti & Company for the South Bend Redevelopment Commission and the City of South Bend included the Strand (known as the Avon in this report) as part of an Entertainment District centering on the Morris Performing Arts Center, the State Theatre, and the Palais Royale Ballroom. This study called for the rehabilitation of the Strand into a film house for foreign and more culturally interesting and important films. Currently, South Bend and the surrounding area still lack such a movie house. With its proximity to South Bend neighborhoods filled with interested parties, this prospect for the Strand should still be viewed as a feasible plan. With the Morris and the Palais Royale well renovated and in use, the weak links in this plan are the Strand, which is currently vacant and in need of repair and the State, which is being used as a bar/nightclub rather than as a live performance theatre and community theatre center. The crisscrossing latticework, arcing parapet roofline wall with whimsical pinnacles and details and the arced spandrels over the windows on the upper portion of the Strand's fagade created the entrance to a place filled with the possibilities of exotic excitement and even travel to distant places for the South Bend community in the 1920s and 30s. With care and a little investment, it again could offer gaiety and culture to this betrotten downtown. The State Theater (Blackstone): 212 S. Michigan Street !sM In 1919, the Blackstone Theatre Corporation probed South Bend's community for added contributions and investors for the construction of "a showhouse that will be one of the finest in the country." The Corporation planned to include "the very latest ideas ... in the construction of the theatre so as to make it the distinguished pride of South Bend."4 Some of these planned improvement included a large seating area for 2,500 people, a fully equipped ladies restroom, a nursery with toys and a nurse, and storefronts along the street. Billed as a movie house, the Blackstone would provide the best entertainment and experience possible for community members. The Corporation chose Henry Newhouse of Chicago to design the new theater. The construction firm Sollitt Construction Co. Mc erected Newhouse's Neo-classical and Beaux Arts design. Much terra cotta covers the fagade's parapet and window surrounds that are elaborated by terra cotta jesters. The recessed portico on the third story has four pairs of fluted columns. The wall behind has diagonal patterns in brick and terra cotta, a cornice line, and terra cotta panels honoring the performing arts. The 1978 survey notes that the theater was in good condition at that time, but seems in danger of removal. The surveyor noted that it "should be saved." The 1989 feasibility study proposed that the State/Blackstone Theatre be renovated to include a 750 -seat Concert Hall and a 300-350 seats performance theatre for children's performances or smaller live productions. The plan called for an umbrella organization for the Entertainment District would coordinate funding, an endowment, volunteer staff, and performances. The full extent of this plan has not been carried out for the State , but in 1997, James E. Childs & Associates, Inc. brought forth designs and agreements for the rehabilitation to the fagade of the theatre as it appears today. Currently, the theatre seems to operate as a nightclub. The addition of ongoing acts and performances would also economically benefit the restaurants and coffee shops in the downtown area. Nearby parking may be an issue for performances, but there are several nearby lots and parking garages within walking distance of the theater. Because of the recent money spent to renovate this city gem, a return to the previous usage of the building as a place for public entertainment and gatherings to view live concerts and performances or children's theater would add much to South Bend's lack of varied and enriching nightlife. Built as an arena for the public, perhaps it could return to such a happy status in the future. South Gatewav Farther a Field Pulling away from downtown South Bend and returning the area south of the Penn Central/Conrail Railroad bridge, which was built in the 1930s, one can drive north (only) and see many other lovely historic buildings. Around these structures, much of the urban and residential fabric has been demolished and replaced with open lots for cracking and declining parking lots. Several of the buildings are highly rated structures from the Indiana Historic Structures Survey and a few are local landmarks. With time and optimism, this area could improve and regain some of its commercial viability. Starting at the 1600s block, the owners of the large stucco Queen Anne at 1602 S. Michigan have put the century home up for sale. This once -residence now houses the House of Something Better, Health Food Store. The residence next door, owned by the same person, is also for sale. The two-story building stands on a corner lot across from a Mexican food store, La Tacqueria, and two auto related shops. One of these is currently closed. A small, unpaved area covered in gravel is located in the rear and serves as a parking lot. 4 "The Blackstone Theatre Corporation, an open letter to the public," South Bend Tribune. 4 September 1919. ea F AIA 37, t t ^ �• � x( 5 f � ` rW w+uYeAw.c•snr+kM`t,�"r uam+w x a z "^— M4 �z i '� # t.' �� �t' fit•^ Detail of Window, terracotta Frontal view of State Theatre Alley adjacent to State Theater When surveyed in 1990, the home still had its original slate roof with iron ridge coping that resembled the scales on a dragon's back. This was removed and a new black asphalt roof is now present. Although the exterior stucco seems to be in good repair, some of the wood trim on the cornice boards under the north gable is exposed under the peeling paint. The wood trim near the foundation of the northeast side of the house also have areas of peeling paint and are exposed to the elements. One of the decorative and possibly supportive wood brackets and part of the trim was broken of from the extension. Notably, George W. Freyermuth, a self-taught South Bend architect, designed this house in 1897 for the J. Edward McEndarfer family. Several McEndarfer's lived in Liberty Township in the mid to late 1800s. They were prosperous farmers who also donated land for the construction of township schools. The Mc Endarfer's operated a hardware store at 828 S. Michigan Street, which no longer exists. Rating: S/11. 1019 S. Michioan Street The Burke Building, located at 1019-1023 S. Michigan Street, is also for sale. This local landmark stands vacant on a comer lot adjacent to a shack -like restaurant across Garst Street and smaller, less importance storefronts to the north across a narrow alley. One building was refaced with new brick and has new windows; it houses a repair business. Next door to this, another building stands with metal siding. Across the road, the Juvenille Justice Center and Ivy Tech State College have built new office buildings and developed Dean Johnson Park. Parking for this building could be created along Garst Street and on S. Michigan. Currently, the building has a side lawn, which may have been used as parking at one time. Parking could also available be available across the street, as the restaurant is hardly ever full. Since last surveyed, some of the more recent additions to the brick fagade have been removed, thus revealing more of the stone and brick details included by architect W. W. Schneider. Wood paneled slanting entryways have also been added. Metal windows and/or storms may have been installed into the wood window frames. Many of the windows need repair on both the Garst and Michigan sides of the building. The exterior structure remains solid though some tuckpointing may be needed. The interior seemed cleaner than many of the other buildings surveyed along this road, including the Strand. The Burke housed many commercial businesses including the Belmont Crockery Company and many tenants inhabited its second floor apartments. It still is a lovely corner piece in the South Gateway district. 911 S. Michioan: South Bend State Bank This local landmark is in gorgeous condition! The current owners bought the bank building around four years ago and now run an appointment only antique's business and piano repair office from this location. They rehabbed the concrete and steel beam roof to protect the interior of the building from water damage. This building stands right on the sidewalk, which will be replaced with a new sidewalk and tree lawn as heard from the owner. Because a few buildings are located on either side of the South Bend State Bank building, parking seems to be limited to on the street. Metal siding and other newer fagade elements cover over these buildings, which are probably historic in their own right. These include 919 and 915, the Dudes and Darlings Western Warehouse and the Indiana Rug Co. The building/s that house these two stores are up for sale. It would be interesting to discover what condition the brick structure is in if the metal siding were removed. Currently, some of the brick veneer is visible on the south side of the building. The rug company seems to operate a viable business, but Dudes & Darlins is now closed. On the other side at 909, 907, and 905, Halls Country Kitchen, now closed, the Victory Bar and Ankor Wigs are housed in two buildings. 909 and 907 are located in a brick two-story neo-classical building that has ISE 1602 S Michigan Street; S/11 1900 Queen Anne frontal view The House of Something Better— Health Foods 1602 S Michigan Yew of gables 1602 S Michigan Street Side view 1602 S. Michigan Street Wear of the molding, stucco of bump out 1602 S Michigan Street Bump out on rear of house with one missing bracket and clapboard siding Some rot, but repairable 1019 S Michigan Street Burke Building, 1928, S/11 Local Landmark neo-classical Burke Building, detail of window frame, terra cotta IVA 911 S. Michigan Street South Bend State Bank 1923, Neo -Classical, S/11 Local Landmark ' ft_-J4�o 2003 View of 911 S. Michigan Street between Dudes n' Darlin's Western Warehouse and Hall's Country Restaurant Ionic captial, exquisite volutes with egg and dart jr �z i7 p oil M �Wi 2003 View of 911 S. Michigan Street between Dudes n' Darlin's Western Warehouse and Hall's Country Restaurant Ionic captial, exquisite volutes with egg and dart jr �z i7 molding wwW capital. oil 7 interesting detail around the window surrounds and brackets at the cornice line. Changes the first story have occurred, but the building seems sound. Next to this structure, Ankor Wigs operates their business from a non-contributing one-story building. They also have parking on the corner. 800s Block, South Gatewav District It seems that all the historic buildings on both sides of this block have been demolished. At 808 S. Michigan a one-story yellow brick and glass modern functional buildings houses offices. Parking and open space surround it. Across the street, the Center for the Homeless built two new structures of red brick. They actually retain the sidewalk line of the original commercial buildings that lined this street. Prior to the erection of these structures, the 1924 Moderne Gilberts Realty Co stood at 815 S. Michigan and a Queen Anne style two- story commercial building stood.at 821 S. Michigan. This was purchased by Notre Dame and demolished in 1992 for the Center for the Homeless. 700s Block of the South Gatewav District Several historic structures are still present on this block of S. Michigan Street, and the 1930s Penn Central/ Conrail railroad bridge acts as a physical portal between the area beyond downtown South Bend and that leading to and in downtown (500s to downtown). At 760 S. Michigan Street, the St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church now houses a Protestant evangelical church. The neo-classical building with two-story Doric/Tuscan columns, dentilated pediment, and stained glass windows is in good condition and solid. The building still has iron coping along the roof of the pediment. The church stand amidst much parking that could be repair to not look so broken and weedy. Further north stands a building that houses the Local UAW unit, No.9. Of note, this building was constructed with a lighter brick and brightly colored terra cotta in contrast to the reds and white terra cotta used for the majority of the historic structures along this strip. The building has retained much of its original detail work including a shell motif to cap terra cotta pilasters. The decoration wraps around this building as well. The remains of a modern fagade was removed to reveal more detail, but the original windows and doors were removed and boarded up. The building may or may not still be in use by the UAW. There is parking for the building adjacent to it. Next to this, Pittsburg Paints has located their operations in a one-story, neo-classical brick building that has a notched parapet wall with stone square medallions. This possibly historic building has new glass display windows and a metal siding covering on main opening. (732 S. Michigan Street) Across the street, a printing and graphic design center operates from the 1920s Neo -Spanish one-story building. It has a tile roof and brick structure that has been painted light blue. One of the archways with divided windows has been boarded up attractively and a new sidewalk and trees have been put in. (729 S. Michigan Street) Several one-story and two-story buildings can be seen between the neo -Spanish structure and 702 S. Michigan Street, known as the Whiteman Brothers Co. This neo-classical deep red brick building with stone detail work is a local landmark, rates s/11, and dates to 1913. The Railroad overpass runs next to this building. When it was put in, the road level was lowered to allow traffic to continue beneath it. A new doorway was constructed in the Whiteman building for access to the street around this time. The exterior structure, doors and windows seem sound and intact. The building seems to be used as storage currently. Parking can be found adjacent to the building in a side lot that needs some repair. A chain link fence and _10- some shrubs surround this lot. A commercial area and residential neighborhoods are located behind this building and S. Michigan Street. This area of South Bend still retains several solid and attractive buildings which have unfortunately not received their due attention and respect. With their renovation and reuse and future smart development of the district, the city would be well on its way to forming a revived entryway into downtown from the south. Additionally, the city should carefully consider the after -affects that will occur when US 31 in upgraded into a full -fledge expressway. This could lead to the removal of more commercial businesses, services, and industries from downtown and take them into the suburbs and currently undeveloped areas of the county. This would greatly hurt South Bend's chances for a renewed and successful downtown. The city has about a decade before InDot's freeway plan will be carried out and an additional few more years before development were to hit a high point off the new US 31. - 11 - fr"�. 1 - �'_ •V~_ r; 'j; i, ,, ; _ Vii, "�{ 740 S. Michigan Street Bendix Local 9-N to 730 S. Michigan Street Pittsburg P View of Brackets and stone friezes, entablatures 74U b. r{ICIIty` --t Bendix Local 9-14 w ? 2003yWt i 702 S. Michigan Street Whiteman Brothers Comoanv Central bay with 6 engaged columns, assymetn� entrance otacement STAFF REPORT CONCERNING US 31 ROAD IMPROVEMENT.IMPACT ON HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND LANDSCAPES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND & ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Date: 06-30-03 INTRODUCTION Highways, expressways, and freeways crisscross this country. This breed of high-speed, limited access road systems has existed since the late 1950s when the federal government under Eisenhower passed the 1956 Federal Highway Act. This act established. initiatives for the planning and funding of more efficient and expansive expressways. It was hoped that these new freeways would solve the car saturation problem on the* nation's road and national security fears of the Cold War era. The freeways and expressways that have theirs roots in the work of many Congressmen and Senators who worked on Capitol Hill in the 1950s have truly become entrenched in modem American society. These roads are used daily by millions of Americans' who drive upon them to commute to work and then home again, to places of entertainment on the weekends, or even across the country on vacations. Without traffic and congestion, these roads can provide an almost surreal ease while driving, but during rush hour, they produce nightmares of brake lights and toxic fumes. People spend countless hours of their lives sitting in rush-hour traffic upon many of the nation's highways. Issues such as road rage have now become the subject of news articles and grace the covers of national magazines. Yet, for those who own cars, everyday life often seems infeasible and impossible without highways. These roadways have also had an enormous impact upon the American landscape. One scholar has argued that the construction of highways over the past forty to fifty years has been one of the most prominent forces of change that has molded the American cityscape and country-scape. In addition to linking towns and cities, freeways have divided urban neighborhoods, cut through farmland and broken' through mountains. Not only is a freeway a strip of roadway serving utilitarian purposes, it is a mark upon the land that affects how a person sees and understands a nearby area or even a region. Add together all the miles of pavement that connect this country and one finds a substantial area directly impacted and shaped by ribbons of asphalt and concrete, looping access ramps and freeway bridges. Yet, the area directly covered is miniscule in comparison to the area that will actually feel the economic, social and environmental forces at work with the construction of a freeway. Noise, more traffic, wider roads, rest stations, new development at exits, and the division of property for construction all come with a freeway. Scholars have recently explored the recent creation of edge cities, places located near freeway exits that are mainly filled with office and retail space but devoid of actual housing. These edge cities now serve as the commercial centers of counties and towns where the downtowns had once existed as vibrant multi -use places filled with workspaces, play spaces, homes, and retail. As freeways weave across the country following no particular pattern and seemingly dodging some places while directly connecting to others, all the changes wrought by highways have occurred without prediction. With the coming construction of a new US 31, vast changes to the landscape in southern St. Joseph County are real possibilities. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEIHISTORIC CONTEXT, US 31 has a long history as a route for human travel, one that predates the proposal and naming of the. federal road in 1926. Portions of the road may follow routes that Native American tribes had used for centuries prior to European pioneering excursions and settlement. It is possible that this trail was used by early European fur traders in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Early pioneers and traders established trading posts along the trail. These posts began to support permanent communities of settlers as they bought land to farm in the surrounding area in the 1830s. As more and more settlement occurred and the Indian population dwindled, the trail developed into a road. The road now known as US 31 did not become a major artery of transport until the automobile became a widely used mode of transportation. Prior to that development, the railroad had been the most efficient form of transit available in the 1850s to the earl 1900s. In the early decades of the 20th century, a shift occurred in people's tastes as they bought more personal automobiles and used the railroad less and less. In response to the growing number of cars and the need for more drivable roadways, the government eventually transformed the Michigan Road into a federal route in 1926. The road has been studied for upgrade since the 1940s.1 With the creation of the new road, some portions of US 31 were shifted from its old path. For the most part, it seems that the current route has followed this historic trail and roadway. Today, one can travel from Mobile, Alabama to Mackinaw, Michigan without turning off US 31. The current environmental impact study for the improvement of US 31 has its base in studies that were completed between 1995 and 2000. INDOT's reports dating from 1995 and 1997 on US 31 traversing Kokomo, Indiana and Hamilton County suggested that it should be expanded and transformed into a limited access freeway. The construction of a limited access freeway would remove stoplights from US 31 and disallow "at -grade" roads and driveways from interfering with US 31's traffic flow.2 These improvements would mitigate traffic, congestion and safety woes created by the stoplights and roads cutting across US 31. It is thought that a decrease the amount of travel time spent on roads connecting South Bend and Indianapolis would enhance the business opportunities available to these cities. Access ramps located at yet to be determined places would maintain a high speed of travel on the roadway. Local city governments, such as Kokomo and Michiana Area Council Of Governance (MACOG), whose cities will be affected by US 31 changes also completed studies of possible routes and hoped for improvements. The Kokomo report suggested the creation of a bypass to the east of Kokomo that will retain city infrastructure and current commercial corridor along US 31. The reports from Kokomo and MACOG both support the need for the adaptation of US 31 into a limited access freeway. In 2000, INDOT began contracting several engineering firms to collect information for the environmental impact studies of areas affected by future construction. Three major corridors became the focus of the studies: Hamilton County, Kokomo, Indiana, and the stretch of US 31 from Plymouth, Indiana to South Bend, Indiana. INDOT contracted the environmental impact study of ten possible routes for the improved US 31 in Madison and St. Joseph Counties to Bernadin, Lockmueller & Associates. Wientraut & Associates has handled the survey of historical sites and structures in the large area of the county traversed by the various options. The firms and INDOT hope to complete and publish their studies of various route options by Fall 2004 so that community members could review the proposals before the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issues a final decision on the proposed route in Summer 2005. INDOT plans to begin construction on the new US 31 facility in 2011-2015. Construction upon highways and others besides have lead some to quip that only two seasons exist in some parts of the nation: winter and the season of the orange barrel. The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County now has a chance to provide some input on where those barrels will be placed for the new US 31. 1 Maps in the archive of the Library of Congress reveal the importance of the railroad between 1850 and 1900, for many of these maps only plot the crisscrossing of the railroad lines to Midwest cities. They notably do not include main roads and trails. 2 At -grade roads are those that intersect with US 31 rather than roads that may cross over US 31 on a bridge or under. The latter two examples are not "at -grade" roads. STARTING POINTS: ANALYSIS DETERMINANTS Before this report delves into more depth regarding the, history of US 31 and analyzes the various possible routes for the highway in St. Joseph County, staff will explain an issue that needs to be addressed before any recommendation can be put forward. Staff examined the importance of the following historic aspects of the county in order to determine which possible routes were most and least favorable: historic landmarks, historic structures, historic regions, railroad corridors, current roadway types, and landscapes. Because the Commission has ordinances and resolutions that protect local and national landmarks, preserving these from encroachment and damage is a straightforward task and one over which the Commission has the appropriate jurisdiction. The later elements offer added complexity to proposal for a new facility for US 31. The HPC has potential jurisdiction over ranking historic structures that could be granted landmark designation as well as concentration of structures and landscapes that could be granted historic district status. Several pockets of historic structures are located nearby several of the proposed routes. The rail corridors, rural roads, and rural landscapes found in the south of the country have less protective legal opportunity than the other elements, yet their presence are importance aspects of St. Joseph County's sense of place and history. Though less able to be legally and directly protected by the Commission, any large-scale impact upon and through the rural landscape may. have far more negative consequences than rebuilding upon the more built-up routes route that may have a greater concentration of structures lining the roadway. These final three elements could be protected through advocacy and diplomacy, though difficult it may be. SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ROUTES and RECOMMENDATIONS These proposed alternatives for US 31 span the area from Oak Road as the western most road portion to Elm Road/Capital Avenue in the east. Yet, because of noise, the need for access ramps and possible road widening (data and location not known on these, assumed) the area of impact greatly exceeds the proposed roadway as shown on the maps found on the US 31 website. The alternatives traverse six townships in St. Joseph County: Liberty, Union, Madison, Greene, Centre, and Penn. Alternative A Alternative A as of June 2003 would enter Saint Joseph County via Oak Road. The proposed path replaces Oak Road until just north of Quinn Road where it curves to the east and follows the New Jersey, Indiana, and Illinois railway line into Greene Township. The curve in the highway just misses the boundary of Potato Creek Park and Worster Lake. After passing Potato Creek Park, this proposed route follows the railway line corridor until it connects with US 20 west of the US231US20 junction. This alternative will affect a few historic structures and landscape elements directly, yet not as many as other proposed routes. Many of these structures are of significant historic value to the local area and to St. Joseph County and could be considered for local historic landmark status. These include: a circa 1880 Italianate farmhouse at 68651 Oak Road 3; a century old gabled bank barn at 23900 Riley Road 4; Fair Cemetery; the cemetery on the northeast corner of Riley and Oak Roads; and possibly a notable Stick vernacular farmhouse, 23871 Stanton Road that dates to circa 1895 and has a ranking of Significant/125; 23256 New Road, a vernacular farmhouse from the stick style that dates to the circa 18906, and a contributing vernacular residence dating to circa 1895 at 60711 Mayflower Road .7 ' 141.12001.3421141.342.90049. The survey records on this house rank it as notablell2 or significant112. 4 Old survey Number 11060, Rating: S/11. - s Old survey number 11065. 6 Old Survey number 11038. The following structures would most likely be indirectly compromised by the construction of a new roadway: a barn and granary dating to circa 1900 at (20801) Tyler Road (11067, S/11); a bank barn circa 1890 at 64350 Oak Road (11040, C/10); 23255 New Road, a vernacular farmhouse circa 1890 (11039, S/11); a vernacular farmhouse from circa 1890 at 60535 Mayflower Road (09013, C/10); a circa 1900 barn at 60100 Mayflower Road (09012, C/10); a Greek revival farmhouse dating to circa 1845 at 60415 Myrtle Road (09021, S/11); and 23014 State Road 23, an 1870s Greek revival farmhouse (09058, C/10). Alternative, A indirectly poses a threat to three concentrations of historic cemeteries, farmhouses, barns, and schoolhouses that are located on both sides of this proposed corridor. These structures stand along Pine Road in Liberty Township, Mulberry Road in Union and Greene Townships, and Oak and Sumption Trail in Greene Township and on sites along intersecting roads. These structures and sites could possibly be threatened by future development (road widening, access ramps, fast food restaurants, strip centers) if Alternative A were chosen for the improvement/ rehabilitation of US 31 and these farmhouses, barns, schools, and cemeteries are not protected. Pine Road Concentration Notably, the Italianate Style seems to predominate farmhouses built in this area of Liberty Township rather than Vernacular or Stick Vernacular residences. This may reveal a community stylistic preference for the Italianate home, a style with elegant lines and features, cupolas to survey one's land, porches for relaxation and protection, and ample room for a growing family. It was a noble style for the noble occupation of farming. The predominance of the Italianate style also positions the growth and success of this area to the 1860s and 1870s when the farmers had gained enough wealth after their initial settlement and farming of the area. It possibly reveals a desire to update one's farmhouse in more "progressive" styles. The stylistic connection among the residences of this area also shows a pattern of exchange of building knowledge among community members where commonalities are present and individual creativity and inventiveness where uniqueness occurs. Often among farming communities, neighbors and extended family members helped each other construct their homes and barns. These local builders used local materials: hardwoods from their lands, stone, and locally made bricks. Across the county in the mid to late 1800s, farmhouses tended to be constructed in similar manners with stone foundations and frame or brick veneer structures. In the early 1900s, cast stone foundations began to support the homes in the area. Around 1915, other foundation materials began to be used including brick and concrete. This is a sign that housing construction in the area had moved away from the prerogative of the farmer to the realm of the contractoribuilder. Historically ranking structures are: Greek Revival Farmhouse, (24900) Pierce Road, moved from Potato Creek site, c. 1850, S/11.8 Liberty Township Schoolhouse, District 7, 66984 Pine Road, c. 1890, S/11 L [12013L]. Eli McEndarfer Italianate Farmhouse & Barn, 67521 Pine Road, 1874, S/11.9 Cemetery, 24955 Riley Road, 1895, S/11 [12031]. Italianate Farmhouse, 24319 Riley Road, 1875, S/11, [12029]. Italianate Farmhouse, 24550 Riley Road, c. 1870, C/10, [12030]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 68137 Pine Road, c. 1890, C/10, [12015]. Zachariah Scheneman Italianate Farmhouse & Barn, 68437 Pine Road, 1891, S/12 L [12016]. John Long Farmhouse, 68737 Pine Road, 1840, C/10, [12017].10 ' Old Survey number 09014. Old Survey, 12005. _ 9 Unfortunately, the Italianate farmhouse was demolished between the 1979 survey and the 2000 survey. The bam dating to 1874 remains. Old Survey #: 12014. 10 The first survey of this farmhouse noted it as an example of the Federal style. The house was covered with brick patterned asbestos shingles, which reduced its historic rating. The house's exterior was recently renovated in a colonial revival style, resided, painted white, and given an entrance porch that covered the homes original stone lintel and posts surrounding the entranceway. Barn, 69150 Pine Road, c. 1890, S111, [12018]. William Johnson Greek Revival Farmhouse, 25051 Stanton Road, 1851, S/11, [12037]. Barn, 24900 Stanton Road, c. 1900, C/10, [12036]. Yellow Bank Schoolhouse District 5, 69501 Pine Road, 1883, S/11, [12019]. Allen McEndarfer Italianate Farmhouse, 25618 Quinn Road, 1850, 0/13 L [12023L]. Allen McEndarfer Italianate House, 25618 Quinn Road, 1890, 0/13 L [12022L]. Italianate Farmhouse, (26191) Quinn Road, c. 1875, S/12, [12024].11 The housing stock along Pine Road differs from the Mulberry Road Concentration in that many of the houses exemplify the Stick vernacular style or seem to be simpler renditions of this style and are termed vernacular. The style dates these farmhouses to the 1880s and 1890s, which makes these homes almost a generation younger than those along Pine Road. Due to the number marshes that existed here, settlers may not have established farmsteads until drainage of the area could be accomplished. The area may not have blossomed agriculturally until the drainage occurred. Once the fertile soil could be tapped, the farmers would then have had the resources to build their new farmhouses and barns in the 1880s and 1890s. The need for drainage and the later agricultural development could possibly account for the stylistic differences and younger housing stock along Mulberry Road. Near Roosevelt Road the age of the farmhouses increase and more Greek revivals are extant. Mulberry Road Concentration Stick vernacular Farmhouse, 23256 New Road, c. 1890, S/11, [11038]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 23100 New Road, c. 1885, C/10 [11037]. Italianate Farmhouse, 22386 New Road, c. 1875, S/12, [11036]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 21140 New Road, c. 1870, C/10. [11035]. Stick Vernacular Farmhouse, 64172 Mulberry Road, 1894, S/12, [11029].12 Vernacular Farmhouse, 64350 Millet Road, 1890, S/11, [11028]. Stick vernacular Farmhouse, 22495 Millet Road, c. 1890, S/11 [11027]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 64489 Millet Road, c. 1880, C/10 [11030]. Olive Branch District Schoolhouse, 22629 Osborne Road, 1890, C/10 [11047].13 Vernacular Farmhouse, 22533 Osborne Road, c. 1890, C/10 [11046]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 21390 Osborne Road, c. 1890, S/11, [11045]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 23350 New Road, c. 1890, S/11, [11039]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 63877 Mulberry Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09018]. Barn, 22553 New Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09025]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 22435 New Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09024]. Maple Grove Methodist (Gothic revival) Church, 22019 New Road, c.1885, S/111 [09023]. George Bush Vernacular Farmhouse, 63328 Mulberry Road, c. 1880, S/11 [09017]. Vernacular Farmhouse, 63251 Mulberry Road, c. 1880, S/11, [09016]. Italianate Farmhouse, 62503 Mulberry Road, 1872, S/12, [09015]. Greek Revival/ Vernacular Farmhouse, 23150 Roosevelt Road, c. 1880, S/11, [09051]. Greek Revival Farmhouse, 22937 Roosevelt Road, c. 1865, C/10, [09050]. Oak and Sumntion Trail Concentration The Sumption Trail Concentration in Greene Township has a number of farmhouses that date to the early pioneering years of St. Joseph County during the 1830s and 40s, including the George Sumption Farmhouse. Due to the early date of settlement in this area, many layers of housing construction are 11 Other farmhouses date to the 1890s and are examples of the vernacular style nearby this concentration that could also be linked to this concentration as well bystyle and by dating. These include: 12024, 12033,12032, 12021, 12008, 12007, and 12006. II This home may have been remodeled in 1894. 13 At the time of the 1975 survey, the owner was using this structure as a storage shed/ garage and it was very deteriorated with missing siding, unpainted wood, boarded up windows, and a large door cut into the front of the fagade. At that time, the siding under the gable retained the rising sun motif. present. Farmhouses with elements from the Federal, Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne styles exist in the area. Bungalows and newer housing stock are also present in this area. The early farmers and inhabitants used local materials to erect their homes and barns including: wood, fieldstone for foundations, and bricks made near Sumption Pond by the Sumption family. Several farmers in the area built their homes with these red -orange bricks. George Sumption (Federal) Farmhouse, 60413 Sumption Trail, 1832, 0/13 L, [09064 L]. Italianate Residence, 60559 Sumption Trail, c. 1875, C/10, [09065]. Sumption Prairie Cemetery, 23999 Kern Road, c. 1830, S/11, [09002]. Stick Vernacular Farmhouse, 61074 Oak Road, c. 1890, S/11, [09029]. Thomas Holloway (Italianate period revival) Farmhouse & Barn, 61229 Oak Road, c. 1860, S/1114 John McCullough (Greek Revival) Farmhouse & Barn, 61383 Oak Road, S/12, c. 1837, [09031 Greek Revival Farmhouse, 61622 Oak Road, c. 1840, C/10, [09032]. Seth Hammond (Stick) Farmhouse & Barn, 61723 Oak Road, 1885, 0/13 L, [09033 Ll. Vernacular Farmhouse, 61767 Oak Road, c. 1890, C/10, [09034]. Hoosier (Greek Revival) School, 62012 Oak Road, 1837, S/11 L, [09035 Q. Italianate Residence, 62129 Oak Road, c. 1875, C/10, [09036]. Vernacular Farmhouse and Barn, 62950 Oak Road, c. 1880, S/12, [09037]. Jacob Rupe (Stick Vernacular) Farmhouse, 62011 Orange Road, 0/13, c. 1880, [09038]. Greene Township School, 24702 Roosevelt Road, S/11,1929, [09052]. Bungalow Residence, 24136 Layton Road, 1915, C/10, [09007]. Queen Anne.Farmhouse, 62555 Orange Road, c. 1905, C/10, [09039]. As shown in the tables above, Alternative A would lie quite close to three concentration of historic farmhouses, farms, early townships schools, community churches, and graveyards. All these areas provide physical remnants of those people who settled and lived in the county in the years of its early development. They are reminders of the early success of the county as an agricultural and commercial center for Indiana. Alternative A may also expand and pave over portions, if not all, of the New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana railroad corridor. This action would remove the relationship of the railway to the rural landscape and a significant piece of physical history of the county. Alternative A would also remove many of the reuse options for the New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana railroad line such as Rails to Trails. This alternative will also destroy the New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana rail line's historic relationship to the landscape and any possibility for the reuse of the RR corridor with minimal changes done to it. Alternative A would thus remove a remnant of St. Joseph County's ties to the railroad as the main passenger and freight transporter from the mid to late 1800s. Furthermore, this route will also impact Potato Creek State Park, due to the proximity of the road to the park. Though the road could provide more access to Potato Creek Park for recreational purposes, this benefit is canceled by the possible decrease in park health due to added traffic. It may also affect the historic Huggart settlement, an area in Union township where African Americans owned land, fanned, and played active roles in the community. Members of the settlement are buried in the Portage Cemetery in Potato Creek Park. The new road construction and other possible future developments will cause undue destruction and loss of the rural character of this area and to the concentrations of historic sites and structures nearby. The American rural landscape type is quickly being over run by strip centers, fast food restaurants, cell phone towers, highways, and subdivisions all in the name of tax dollars and economic benefits. " Old Survey, 09030. For the following reasons, staff finds that Alternative A is an unfavorable option for the reconstruction of US 31: 1.) Proximity of the proposed roadway to a great number of historic sites and structures that contain local cultural and environmental importance, retain local history, and are physical markers of the past; 2.) Threatens historic structures and two cemeteries along Oak Road; 3.) Proximity to Potato Creek State Park; 4.) Possible pavement over RR corridor and inability for reuse of said corridor for rail lines or trails; 5.) New roadway west of the current US 31, which will cause increased development in rural area. The proposed routes B through F follow the same path in St. Joseph County from Tyler Road until just north of the city of Lakeville. These alternatives enter the county via the Penn Central Railroad line and follow the line north on the western boundary of the city of Lakeville. It is possible that for a short distance these proposed paths would employ portions of US 31's roadway, yet mainly they would follow the railroad corridor. Near Osborne Road, Alternative F curves to the east and picks up the current US 31 roadbed once again. Further north, routes B through F split off from each other in Centre Township. Where options B through F follow the same roadway, some rated historic structures are in direct danger of destruction. The structures threatened include: 68680 U.S. 31, a 1894 vernacular farmhouse (11078, C/10); the Mary Garrett farmhouse that is a circa 1910 Queen Anne located at 68294 US 31 (11077, S/12); a Queen Anne dating to circa 1910 at 21099 Osborne Road (11044, S/12); and 19290 Osbome Road, a circa 1885 vernacular farmhouse and barn (11043, S/11). Alternatives B through E would affect a less significant vernacular farmhouse dating to 1910 at 20390 New Road (11034, C/10) as well as an outstanding rated structure, the D. F. Bailey barn. Andrew Toth, a South Bend architect, designed this gabled -roof barn in 1940 at 64347 U.S. 31 (11071, 0/13). It is one of the few architect -designed barns in the county. It employed new construction methods (transverse frame) of the period rather than the traditional heavy timber frame system and barn raising techniques. This barn therefore marks a great shift in barn building and social conventions of the area. Community barn raisings had gone out of favor. In their place, the mass-producing society of the 1940s had found quicker building methods that required fewer people. These alternatives are adjacent to fewer concentrations of historic structures than Alternative A in Union Township. They follow a railroad line like Alternative A. In this case, the alternatives follow what was once a line that Penn Central Railroad operated. The railroad filed for bankruptcy less than ten years after its merger with New York Central in 1970. Conrail bought Penn Central's railroad capital and that of other several other railroad companies in 1976 to form the railroad conglomerate. This line may also be the old Terre Haute and Logansport line that can be seen on a railroad map of Indiana dating to possibly 1896.15 Alternative B Alternative B splits from the other alternatives in Centre Township. Its path curves several times to the west as it reaches US 23 and then connects to the current US 31. To link US 23 and US 31, option B will carve a new path through the county and could adversely affect the following structures and their surrounding properties: 15 From the Library of Congress online library. State Board of Tax Commissioners, "Railroad Map of Indiana," (Indianapolis, 1896 (?)), American Memorv. httpJlmemory.loc.gov. 08026 S/11 21405 New Road Residence 08016 S/11 21384 Madison Road George Phillips Farmhouse 08017 S/11 21595 Madison Road George Fox Farmhouse 08032 C/10 21950 Roosevelt Road Barn 08031 C/10 21793 Roosevelt Road Barn James Vandenbosch Farmhouse & 08013L 0/13 L 61955 Locust Road Barn 09022 S/11 09019L S/11 L 09020 C/10 09058 C/10 09057 S/12 60800 Myrtle Road 59375 Myrtle Road 59701 Myrtle Road 23014 State Road 23 22727 State Road 23 Residence Jaboc Russell Farmhouse & Barns Residence Residence Residence V c. 1895 V 1863 QA c. 1895 Agri c.1900 Agri c.1900 2E 1876 V c. 1895 GrR 1840 V c. 1890 GrR 1870 QA 1911 Unfortunately, Route B would threaten two landmarks and could possibly impact the historic concentrations to the west if much future development occurs. This plan also draws the freeway further to the west of the current US 31, and away from South Michigan Street and downtown South Bend. Staff finds this approach slightly more favorable than Alternative A, but less favorable than other alternatives because Option B could possibly harm two landmarks and would not approach South Bend's downtown from South Michigan Street. Alternative C The third alternative, Alternative C, continues to follow the Penn Central/Conrail railroad corridor into Centre Township and South Bend until US20. Option C may directly threaten 08026 (a vernacular residence at 21405 New Road that rated S/11), 08016, the George Philips Farmhouse, 08014, a contributing Federal style farmhouse, and possibly 08009, a contributing American Foursquare; yet, it seems that these could be structurally retained with some loss of property. It will affect one structure that rates an Outstanding/13, the D. F. Bailey bank barn that Andrew Toth designed in 1940. Overall, this US 31 possibility will threaten fewer historically rated structures and no landmarks in comparison to Alternatives A and B. Because Alternative C does not shift US 31 too far from its current path, this possible road right of way may provide the city with an opportunity to enhance the southern entrance of the city even though traffic will be shifted from the current South Michigan Street entrance. This may be a good end result because the fast moving traffic could be diverted from Michigan Street, and thus increase the possibility of enhanced commercial and retail operations approaching downtown as well as the creation of a more vibrant, high-density urban environment than exists at this time. This placement though would end any chance for the reuse of the railroad right of way and the retention of the corridor's presence in the county landscape as a marker of historic period. Because C does not impact any landmarks nor any pocket of historic structures and only affects a few historic buildings, staff finds that alternative C has far fewer drawbacks than A and B and many of the other options, such as E, G, H, and I. Alternative D Alternative D mostly follows the Penn Central/Conrail corridor except it may curve to the east along US 20 and then rejoin US 31. In addition to the structures threatened by alternative C, option D may affect the property of 08009, an American Four-square at 20545 Johnson Road. This possible route does draw the freeway back toward the current US 31 path and S. Michigan Street. Although some highly rated structures would be affected, no current landmarks would be affected by this route. Though the roadway may cover the RR corridor, Alternative D's position is located close enough to the current US 31 as to allow for development in a possibly already built-up commercial zone. Thus, the county's rural landscapes would be preserved for a time from future possible encroachment of low-density suburban type commercialization. Staff finds that Option D is more favorable than C and several other options because of the reasons stated above and because this option will draw traffic to S. Michigan Street and possibly to downtown South Bend. In the long run, this could lead to future development along Michigan Street and perhaps to some revitalization from the south of the South Gateway District. Alternative E Curving into US 31 further to the south in comparison to option D, Alternative E will affect any structure impacted by route C as well as where E overlaps with route F: 08040, a barn dating to 1885 that rates S/11, 08041, a contributing Queen Anne residence, and 08039, the Julia Schafer farmhouse that ranks S/12. Option E may directly affect two local historic landmarks 08038 L, the Joseph Farneman Italianate farmhouse on US 31 and Southlawn Cemetery. The cemetery dates to 1850 and has a small administration building dating to the 1920s. It will affect a large portion of the Penn Central/Conrail RR corridor. Because Alternative E will affect two local landmarks along US 31, staff finds that this option is not as favorable as C and D. To its benefit, Route E would not harm the large amount of historic structures that line US 31. Staff feels that one might as well choose D over E because one would still travel over the RR corridor and link to Michigan Street but the road would not affect those landmarks. Alternative F Of all the routes to be studied, Alternative F remains on the current US 31 path for the longest distance. North of the city of Lakeville, F curves to the east to rejoin the existing US 31. The proposed route ends at the US 31 junction with US 20. Due to the large amount of residential and commercial development along US 31, alternative F offers many challenges. Nine historic structures, including two local landmarks, and possibly more stand along the roadside. If the roadway is widened, many of these homes and businesses, historic or not, may have to be moved or demolished. Yet, it may be preferable to reuse an existing travel artery rather than cut through rural and suburban areas with new roadbeds. The negative impact on the specific structures along the roadway, though great in the short term, may be comparably less than the possible long term negative affects upon the county's landscape and living environments caused by the construction of one of the other options. Of the many structures that would be directly affected by possible improvements and widening of US 31 as proposed in Alternative F, the following are historic and recorded on the Historic Structures Inventory of St. Joseph County completed by the Historic Preservation Commission and Crumlish & Sporleder in 1975. As a�erson drives north in Union County, he or she may gather a brief glimpse of a 1924 bungalow, l a circa 1880s vernacular farmhouse on the left17 and a circa 1890s Queen Anne residence on the right. 18 One also passes two historic barns dating to 1885 and 1890 and another Queen Anne residence from 1910.9 Nearing the limits of the city of South Bend, a driver may find two significant structures along the roadway: the Julia Schafer House at 61550 US 31, an Italianate vernacular house dating to 1885, and the Joseph Farneman Farmhouse at 61191 US 31, an Italianate that dates to around 1870 (08039, 08038 L). The later residence is currently a local landmark and unfortunately now stands vacant. Lastly, a significant rated barn located at 62697 Ironwood Road would also be impacted by possible expansion work completed on US 31 (08007). Alternative F may threaten to take some of the Southlawn Cemetery's property. If F is chosen, commercial development would remain in along US 31 instead of dispersing to the east or west of South Bend and into the farmlands of the county. New development along this route could possibly enhance the southern entrance to the city of South Bend and then revive an aging and 16 64087 US 31, 11070, C/10. 1' 08044, 63610 US 31, C/10. IR 08043, 63419 US 31, C/10. '908042,62515 US 31, Bam, c. 1890,C/10;08041 61953 US 31, QA, 1910,C/10;08040,61601 US 31, bam, c. 1885,S/11. deteriorating neighborhood. Essentially, staff hopes that INDOT will attempt to reuse as much of US 31's current road bed, employ access ramp designs that will gobble up less land compared to the large clover leaf design, and spare as many structures as possible from demolition. HPC staff also hopes INDOT will construct roadways that will attempt to balance respect for what already exists in a location with future hopes for economic benefits and development. For the following reasons, staff finds that Alternative F is a workable alternative for the reconstruction of US 31: 1.) Reuse of most current US 311Is right of way; 2.) Will not threaten the RR corridors and possible less intrusive reuse possibilities; 3.) Future development will occur along existing travel right-of-way and not have drastic impact upon county landscapes; 4.) Retains entranceway into the city at Michigan Street, which may allow for possible revival of the South Gateway District. But alternative F is complicated by the presence of several historic structures and two local landmarks. Alternatives G. H & I The following three alternatives, G, H, and I, move US 31 east of Lakeville and further into rural areas of the county. All three enter St. Joseph County just west of Linden Road (a historic barn is located nearby) and would travel diagonally northeast around Riddles Lake and toward Juniper Road. The proposed path comes close to these rated structures: Old Survey Number New Survey Number Address Title Rating Style Year 11062 ? 20471 Rockstroh Road Farmhouse & Barn S/11 V c. 1890 11011 141-339-85060 (QA) 67518 Kenilworth Road Residence C/10 V c. 1890 11052 62485 19101 Pierce Road Residence C/10 GrR/V c. 1860 11051 63049 19022 Pierce Road Schoolhouse C/10 V c. 1910 11050 141-694-85047 18518 Pierce Road Isaac Sells Farmhouse S/11 StV c. 1890 141-694-85048 18601 Pierce Road Sweitzer Barn C/10 Agri c. 1900 Farmhouse & English 141-694-85046 18318 Pierce Road Bank Barn S Agri c. 1880/1910 141-339-85061 67475 Kenilworth Road Barn C/10 Go Arch c. 1945 Alternative G then follows Juniper north as options H and I continue to the northeast. Option G then curves to the west just south of Roosevelt Road. Between Roosevelt Road and Southlawn Cemetery further north, option G would possibly hook into the existing path of US 31. This alternative would also impact several other historic structures including: 11042 18681 Osborne Road Julia Schafer Farmhouse S/12 StV c. 1875 11041 65620 Oak Road Residence C/10 V c. 1890 08021 62951 Miami Road Residence S/11 V c. 1870 08020 62485 Miami Road Residence S/11 V c. 1900 08036L 63049 Turkey Trail Francis Donahue Farmhouse & Barn 0/13 L It 1861 08030L 19251 Roosevelt Road George Schafer S/12 L QA 1908 A small pocket of historic buildings along Turkey Trail in Centre Township would also be affected by the construction of a new US 31 through the area. Turkev Trail Concentration Old Survey New Survey Number Number Rating Address . 08033 S/11 62601 Turkey Trail 08034 C/10 62600 Turkey Trail 08035 141-694-70039 C/10 62919 Turkey Trail 08036L 141-694-70038 0/13 L 63049 Turkey Trail 08020 S/11 62485 Miami Road 11051 141-694-70028 62485 Miami Road 08021 S/11 62951 Miami Road 08019L 141-694-70027 0/13 L 62290 Miami Road 08030L S/12 L 19251 Roosevelt Road 141-694-70029 C/10 19250 Roosevelt Road 08024 C/10 19940 Miller Road Title Residence Barn Residence Francis Donahue Farmhouse & Barn Residence Barn, gambrel roof Residence George Schafer Farmhouse & Barn George Schafer Barn Residence Style Year V c. 1900 Agri c. 1890 V c.1890 It 1861 V c. 1900 c. 1910 V c. 1870 QA QA Agri V 1908 1908 c. 1910 1890 Staff finds that Alternative G is less appealing than Alternative C, D, and F because the route: 1. may impact three landmarks, 2. threatens to affect a concentration of structures along Turkey Trail and adjacent roads, 3. as well as several other historic structures in Union and Centre Townships, 4. and moves the freeway off the current path and through rural areas, which will cause the possible dispersal of development from the current commercial corridor along US 31. At the intersection of Juniper and Pierce Roads, options H and I are proposed to continue and travel further east. H has a diagonal path and then curves to the north and connects with US 331 or the Bremen Highway near the City of Mishawaka. Though US 331 is most likely a larger federal road for the area and the transfer of US 31 to its roadbed would not be too drastic a change, two landmarks are nearby the proposed routes in addition to other historic structures. These include: Old Survey Number Rating Address Title Style Year *11068 S/11 (21301) Tyler Road Barn Agri c. 1900 11050 S/11 18518 Pierce Road Isaac Sells Farmhouse StV c. 1890 11051 C/10 19022 Pierce Road Schoolhouse c. 1910 11052 C/10 19101 Pierce Road Residence GrN c. 1860 *11018 S/11 65131 Miami Road Residence V c. 1895 11062 S/11 20471 Rockstroh Road Farmhouse & Barn V c. 1890 11011 C/10 67518 Kenilworth Road Residence V c. 1890 11017 C/10 64955 Miami Road Residence V c. 1875 11019 C/10 (65501) Miami Road Residence St/V c. 1860 11013 C/10 68581 Linden Road Residence V c. 1890 11053 C/10 19428 Pierce Road Residence V c. 1890 11054 C/10 19790 Pierce Road Residence A4 c. 1915 11067 S/11 (20801) Tyler Road Barn & Granary Agri c. 1900 11049 C/10 (18000) Pierce Road Residence V c. 1870 *10073 C/10 (14000) Madison Road Residence V c. 1895 10085 S/11 (16791) New Road Residence GrR 1863 10016 C/10 62901 Bremen Highway Residence V c. 1880 10017 C/10 64299 Bremen Highway Residence V c. 1890 10019 S/11 64801 Bremen Highway Residence GrR 1855 10070 S/12 17850 Layton Road Residence & Barn GrR 1835 *06015 C/10 55700 Beech Road Barn Agri 1900 *06016 C/10 58581 Blackberry Road Barns Agri 1900 *06017 S/11 59565 Bremen Highway Barn Agri 1870 *06018 C/10 59700 Bremen Highway Residence & Barn V 1910 6040 S/11 16420 Dragoon Trail Residence V 1880 *06091 C/10 16901 Roosevelt Road Residence A4 1905 6064 S/11 61900 Ironwood Road Residence V 1885 6065 C/10 10390 Jackson Road Residence V 1890 6030 S/11 60094 Dogwood Road Residence V 1895 6083 S/11 (15431) Kern Road Barn Agri 1875 6084 C/10 16350 Kern Road Residence V 1890 06020 S/12 60029 Bremen Highway Farmhouse & Barn V 1880 *060231- 0/13L 61601 Bremen Highway Henry Crofoot Farmhouse & Barn It 1876 *06021 L 0/13L 60500 Bremen Highway Willard Crofoot Farmhouse & Barn QA 1901 06022 C/10 61600 Bremen Highway Farmhouse & Barn GrR/V 1875 06053 C/10 59979 Grass Road Residence V 1900 06056 C/10 61300 Hawthorne Trail Residence V 1895 06073 S/12 15455 Jackson Road Aaron Weiss Farmhouse QA 1901 06074 C/10 15753 Jackson Road Residence V 1890 06083 S/11 (15431) Kern Road Barn Agri 1875 06084 C/10 16350 Kern Road Residence V 1890 Staff finds that Option H is less favorable that other options because it will shift US 31 away from downtown South Bend and may harm two important landmarks: the Henry Crofoot farm and the William Crofoot farm. Through option I, INDOT studies an even more eastern route that ends at Capital Avenue in Mishawaka. Such an action could have enormous resonance and affects upon the area in the future. This final alternative to be examined here does not impact any current landmarks though it could impact an outstanding/13 rated Italianate farmhouse at 14016 Dragoon Trail, Eustler Cemetery, and several other significantly rated and contributing historic structures such as: 11068 S/11 (21301) Tyler Road Barn Agri c. 1900 11062 S/11 20471 Rockstroh Road Farmhouse & Barn V c. 1890 *10021 S/11 (65500) Bremen Highway Residence V c. 1880 *10054 S/11 63751 Elm Road Residence V 1900 10056 S/11 64578 Elm Road Residence V c. 1890 *06082 S/11 12295 Kern Road Residence St/V 1895 Staff believes that this too is also an unfavorable solution to the current US 31 traffic and safety woes for the reasons presented above. From a strictly historical preservationist perspective, Alternative I does not impact as many historically rated structures as A, B, or G.