HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 01-2024 - 10 Most EndangeredRESOLUTION NO. 01-2024
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA
REGARDING THE "10 MOST ENDANGERED LIST" for 2024
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 2024, arranged
in no particular order, as follows:
1. South Bend State Bank (911 South Michigan Street) owned by JACK HARTSELL, KEVIN
AND BUFFY MALLO, the structure was built in 1923; this structure is an established City of
South Bend Local Landmark (Ordinance #9079-2000); and sits alone on the quarter block where
neighboring structures suffered fires and were demolished.
2. Grace Methodist Episcopal Church/St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church (760 South Michigan
Street) owned by CHURCH OF DELIVERANCE TEMPLE, INC., the structure was built in
1915 for the Grace Methodist Episcopal Congregation. It is rated Significant; and is exhibiting
deferred maintenance, deteriorating cornice and masonry.
3. The Indiana Lumber Company/Bendix Local No. 9 (738 South Michigan Street) owned by
BENDIX LOCAL 9, the structure was built 1928 for the Indiana Lumber Company as a
showroom and office. It is the only structure remaining from the complex; and is exhibiting
deferred maintenance, water damage and deteriorating masonry.
4. The Knights of Columbus (316 West Jefferson Boulevard) owned by H&G DOWNTOWN SB
LLC, the structure stands within the Downtown South Bend Historic Multiple Resource Area
(NR-0708.08); built in 1924 and rated Significant, the structure was originally built as the
meeting hall of the Knights of Columbus and subsequently used as various night clubs,
restaurants and offices; now currently vacant; it is exhibiting deteriorating cornice, masonry, terra
cotta and roof.
5. Burke Building (1019 South Michigan Street), owned by DEPARTMENT OF
REDEVELOPMENT CITY OF SOUTH BEND; originally built for Morris Burke in 1928;
"Significant -rated" structure housed various businesses on the street level and apartments on the
second floor; an established City of South Bend Local Landmark (Ordinance #9081-2000); and
exhibiting vacant/unused condition, deteriorating interior structure.
6. Cozy Theater/Linden Theatre (1635 Linden Avenue), owned by SMITH LEGACY PROJECT,
INC.; built in 1926, as a theatre; and exhibiting vacant/unused condition, and deteriorating
masonry.
7. Carriage House/ (519 1/2 South St. Joseph Street) owned by ZORAN WILBURN SUPERIOR
LIVING FACILITIES, was built 1900 as a coach house and residence; A "Significant Rated"
structure within the Taylor's Field Local Historic District (Ordinance #8952-98); exhibiting
vacant/unused condition, structural compromise and deteriorating masonry.
8. Greene Elementary School (24702 Roosevelt Road) owned by SCHOOL CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, was built in 1929 as a consolidated elementary and high school replacing several smaller
school houses; exhibiting vacant/unused condition.
9. Twin Branch Power Plant Screen House (13200 Jefferson Road) owned by INDIANA
MICHIGAN ELECTRIC CO; built in 1925 to screen debris from the intake water used for the
steam power generation at the nearby coal power plant; exhibiting vacant/unused condition.
10. 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.
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 August 19, 2024.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
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Sarah Andrews, Presi ent
ATTEST:
Joan Downs-Krostenko, Arch. Historian/Secretary
David cott, Vice President
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Peter DeKever, Commissioner
Michael fs
ggs, Commissioner