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Home My WebLink About2. 211 North Michigan Street_COA 2021-1203STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: December 14, 2021 Application Number: 2021-1203 Property Location: 211 North Michigan Street Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Spanish Colonial Revival / 1921 / J.S. Aroner Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark / National Register of Historic Place Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE : The Morris Performing Art s Center is a Spanish Colonial Revival Structure. It has an ivory terra-cotta block base on the first floor and ivory colored, granite textured terra cotta brick on the upper floors of the four and five story building. The building is embellished with terra cotta ornaments with a lively Churrigueresque quality that are richly colored in deep brownish red, yellow, light blue and light green. There are five entrances on the main façade each surmounted with a multi-pane transom and surrounded by foliated multi-colored terra cotta. There are modern wood doors in the entrances. A modern marquee is above the first floor. The end bays have round-arched windows with transoms surrounded by terra-cotta columns and entablature on the second floor. On the fourth floor level at the end bays is a terra cotta cartouche containing the letter “P” surrounded by terra-cotta that forms a blind window. The center three bays are lighted by round arched windows extending three stories high. The windows are divided into eighteen (18) multi-paned sections and flanked by tinted terra-cotta pilasters. The center three bays of the building extend into a fifth floor that contains three round-arched casement windows with transom and terra-cotta surrounds. ALTERATIONS: RME 2017-1016 allowed for the replacement of a 30’x50 section of roof above the stage area. COA 2012-0817 allowed for the installation of signage in a 10’ x 30’ display area above the rear loading dock entrances. COA 2011-0401 allowed for the “replacement of the existing entry doors by restoring the woodwork around the door frames and installing custom CROSS aluminum doors and frames to replicate current door style. Restore wood transoms above entry doors and replace glass with insulated glass panes. In-kind replacement of Windows: restore and refurbish existing wood window frames and install sashes with insulated glass to replicate what is there.” COA 2005-0331 allowed for the installation of the marquee over the entrance. COA 1999-1229 allowed for the installation of a temporary 24” reverse channel lettered sign. COA 1998-0129 allowed for the demolition of the stage house and construction of a new stagehouse, the removal of the previous signage on the front façade, replacement of flush metal doors, general exterior refurbishment, and the installation of exterior lighting. APPLICATION ITEMS: “Add “100” to front of building in lighted fashion to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Morris Performing Arts Center; Sign would be for calendar year 2022.” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: Install illuminated/electrified numbers (“100”), approximately 10’ tall in the three main windows of the front facade. The numbers will be mounted to the vertical and horizontal structural elements supporting the windows, with conduit being run to provide power to illuminate the numbers. Aluminum angle brackets (1 ½” x 1 ½” x 3/16”) will be affixed to the building structure with 3/8” x 4” concrete anchors. Weight of the individual numbers is estimated to be 50lbs for the “1” and 100lbs for each “0”. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Group B Standards The Commission has the authority to determine the architectural merits and the extent of any proposed treatment, renovation, or addition to a historic landmark. The commission will require drawings, plans, specifications, and/or samples where appropriate. A.Maintenance The maintenance of any historical structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general cleaning and upkeep of the landmark. The Commission shall encourage the proper maintenance of all structure or sites (appendix A: Minimum Maintenance Standards).\ B.Treatment Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface materials that will not alter the style or original form. Such improvements include re- roofing, glazing, or landscaping lawns and may involve a change that can potentially enhance or detract from the character of the landmark. A treatment change of any surface whether on the landmark or in its environment may require a Certificate of Appropriateness if it significantly alters the appearance of the landmark. Although these kinds of changes may not require a Building Permit, a Certificate of Appropriateness may be necessary. The commission should review the proposed treatment for character and style consistency with the original surfaces. C.Renovation and Additions Renovation is the modification of a structure, which does not alter the general massing while an addition, is a change in mass. A modification, which involves the removal of a part of the landmark, should be considered under demolition (see demolition). Additions to landmarks should not detract from the original form and unity of the landmark and should not cover singular examples of architectural detail. Additions to landmarks should be added in a manner that does not disrupt the visible unity of overall appearance of the site. The proportions, materials and ratios of the existing structures should be carried through in the additions. Care should be taken not to change or alter the following: 1.Structure—–Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to cause minimal visual change to the original style and construction. 2.Material—Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original. a.wood—all wood trim should conform with existing trim in shape and size. b.siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional siding. Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar to the original when renovation is considered. D.Demolition Historic landmarks shall not be demolished. When a landmark poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only alternative, documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other descriptive methods should be made of both the exterior and interior of the landmark. The person or agency responsible for demolition of the landmark shall be responsible for this documentation. E.Moving The moving of landmarks is discouraged, however, moving is preferred to demolition. When moving is necessary, the owner of the landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. F.Signs No neon or flashing signs will be permitted unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and super-graphics will also be disallowed. Only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business. G.Building Site and Landscaping (These standards apply to both A and B) 1.Required Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property’s history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. Structures such as: gazebos, patio decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises, and other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed from a public way. 2.Recommended New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and newspapers. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the buildings historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate. Fencing should be in character with the buildings style, materials, and scale. 3.Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings, and other elements before evaluating their importance to the property’s history and development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation of unsightly devices such as TV reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from public thoroughfares. SITE VISIT REPORT: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval. Prepared by Adam Toering, Historic Preservation Administrator HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov MAP OF THE AREA - Google Maps view of the subject area. SATELLITE/SANBORN IMAGERY - Sandborn Maps: 1945, 1960, imagery from 2016 of property. 5 3" Mullion ONE SET OF CHANNEL LET TERS & AN ILLUMINATED BOW *TO BE FIELD VERIFIED Side View 2" J. Stroud Date: 11.18.21 Night View ALUMINUM RETURN POWER SUPPLY ACRYLIC FACES LED MODULES ALUMINUM BACKS 1/4” WEEP HOLES