HomeMy WebLinkAboutProp. HPC Resolution 02-2023_10 Most Endangered of South Bend and Unincorporated St. Joseph CountyRESOLUTION NO. 02-2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA
REGARDING THE “10 MOST ENDANGERED LIST” for 2023
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana
(the “Commission”) operates pursuant to Article 13 of Chapter 21 of the South Bend Municipal Code, as
may be amended from time to time, Title XV, Chapter 154, §§ 154.245-154.263 of the St. Joseph County
Code of Ordinances, as may be amended from time to time, (hereinafter, collectively, the "Ordinances"),
and the terms of the Interlocal Agreement between the City of South Bend (hereinafter the ”City”) and St.
Joseph County (hereinafter the “County”) dated December 12, 2017, as the same may be amended from
time to time; and
WHEREAS, per the Ordinances, the Commission's purpose is to preserve buildings, other
structures, and sites of historical, architectural, engineering, and cultural significance within the City and
the County; and
WHEREAS, the Commission fulfills its purpose, in part, by identifying historic structures,
advocating for preservation best practices, and promoting projects that accomplish those objectives; and
WHEREAS, Historic Preservation advocacy organizations like the National Trust for Historic
Preservation and Indiana Landmarks both create lists of Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness
about the threats facing these structures, and these efforts have been instrumental in promoting the
importance of the preservation of these sites; and
WHEREAS, the Commission members have identified, through thoughtful consideration, ten
properties within their jurisdiction they deem exceptionally worthy of community attention; and for which
the Commission has expressed and continues to express concern for their preservation; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has agreed upon its “10 Most Endangered List” of 2023,, arranged
in no particular order, as follows:
1. The City Cemetery Gate and Sexton’s Cottage (214 Elm Street) owned by CIVIL CITY OF
SOUTH BEND, both the gate structure and the cottage structure were built in 1899; these
structures were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 (NR-2169); and needing
restoration and rehabilitation, specifically the re-erection of the arched gate that suffered damage
in March of 2021.
2. The State Theater (212-216 South Michigan Street) owned by TOSCANA CAPITAL GROUP
LLC, the structure was built in 1919 as the “Blackstone Theater;” listed on the National Register
of Historic Places within the Downtown South Bend Historic Multiple Resource Area (NR-
0708.03); and exhibiting vacant/unused condition.
3. The South Bend Tribune Building (225 West Colfax Avenue) owned by SOUTH BEND
TRIBUNE ATTN DAVID RAY, the corner-located structure was built 1919-1921; listed on the
National Register of Historic Places within the Downtown South Bend Historic Multiple
Resource Area (NR-0708.30); and exhibiting vacant/unused condition.
4. The Pierre Navarre Cabin (Leeper Park) owned by THE NORTHERN INDIANA
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, the structure stands within the City’s Historic Leeper Park (Local
Landmark (Ordinance #8734-96), National Register-listed Leeper Park (NR-1411)); built in 1820,
the structure was originally moved into Leeper Park in 1904, and thereafter twice moved within
the park, in 1916 and 1954; the cabin is a National Register “Outstanding-rated” structure; and
needing roof restoration and/or replacement.
5. The People’s Church (302 West Washington Avenue), owned by AMBASSADORS FOR
CHRIST CHURCH INC; originally built as the “First Presbyterian Church” in 1880;
“Outstanding-rated” structure within the West Washington National Register District (NR-0033);
listed on the National Register of Historic Places within the Downtown South Bend Historic
Multiple Resource Area (NR-0708.08); an established City of South Bend Local Landmark
(Ordinance #9057-1999); and exhibiting vacant/unused condition, specifically, broken windows.
6. The Birdsell Mansion (511 West Colfax Avenue), owned by MICHAEL ANISAH; built in 1898,
as the residence of Joseph Benjamin Birdsell; the structure was converted from a residence to an
office building in 1928; “Outstanding-rated” structure within the West Washington National
Register District (NR-0033); an established City of South Bend Local Landmark (Ordinance
#8609-95); and exhibiting vacant/unused condition, and specifically, boarded-up or missing
windows.
7. The Studebaker Administration Building (635 South Main Street) owned by STUDEBAKER
CENTER LLC, was built 1907-1909 as the Main Office Building of the Studebaker Automobile
Company; an established City of South Bend Local Landmark (Ordinance #8267-1992);
exhibiting vacant/unused condition, specifically boarded-up or missing windows.
8. The ‘Old’ Marquette School (1905 College Avenue) owned by SCHOOL CITY OF SOUTH
BEND MARQUETTE SCHOOL, was built in 1936 as part of the Progress Works Administration
efforts in South Bend; an established City of South Bend Local Landmark (Ordinance #9807-07);
listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NR-2279); exhibiting vacant/unused condition;
9. Portage Manor (3016 Portage Avenue) owned by ST. JOSEPH COUNTY; built in 1906 as the
County Home; listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NR-1453); under threat of
redevelopment;
10. The Pleasant View School (65014 State Road 931) owned by LOU LOOMIS LLC, was built
1902-1903 as the “Union Township District 2 School;” an established St. Joseph County Local
Landmark (Ordinance #80-77); exhibiting vacant/unused condition.
City Cemetery / Sexton’s Cotage
Elm Street
City of South Bend
State Theater
212-216 South Michigan Street
City of South Bend
South Bend Tribune Building
225 West Colfax Avenue
City of South Bend
Pierre Navarre Cabin
Leeper Park (East)
City of South Bend Local Landmark, Ordinance #8734-96
1st Presbyterian Church (“People’s Church”)
302 West Washington
City of South Bend Local Landmark, Ordinance #9057-1999
Birdsell Mansion
511 West Colfax Avenue
City of South Bend Local Landmark, Ordinance #8609-1995
Studebaker Administra�on Building
635 South Main Street
City of South Bend Local Landmark, Ordinance #8267-1992
Marquete School
1906 College Avenue
South Bend Local Landmark, Ordinance #9807-07
Portage Manor
3016 Portage Avenue
City of South Bend
Union Township School
65014 State Road 931
St. Joseph County Local Landmark, Ordinance #80-77
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission as follows:
1. The Commission expresses the strongest support for the preservation of these properties,
2. The Commission advocates for the deployment of available local financial resources to assist
property owners in stabilization, restoration, and rehabilitation efforts;
3. The Commission encourages adaptive reuse of those structures listed above that may constitute
vacant, abandoned, or otherwise neglected, structures;
4. The Commission, when necessary, supports the use of enforcement mechanisms, afforded either
by controlling laws or agreed upon Standards and Guidelines, to achieve compliance with
maintenance of properties within its jurisdiction subject to the same;
5. The Commission advocates policies that facilitate relocating structures threatened with imminent
demolition to new sites to better ensure their preservation,
6. The Commission directs its Staff to present this Resolution to: each of the Owners of Record
specifically identified for the 10 properties listed above; all appointing bodies of the Commission
(specifically, the Mayor, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, the St. Joseph County
Council, and the Board of Commissioners of St. Joseph County), specific departments within the
City of South Bend, including the Department of Community Investment; the St. Joseph County
Building Department; and Indiana Landmarks.
7. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the Commission.
ADOPTED at a meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph
County, Indiana, held on May 15, 2023.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
_________________________________________
Sarah Andrews, President
ATTEST:
_________________________________________
Joan Downs-Krostenko, Arch. Historian/Secretary
_________________________________________
David Wyncott, Vice President
[Signatures continue on next page]
_________________________________________
Andrew Jones, Treasurer
_________________________________________
Elizabeth Hertel, Commissioner
_________________________________________
Don Dietz, Commissioner
_________________________________________
Peter DeKever, Commissioner
_________________________________________
Michael Skaggs, Commissioner