6C(2)a Staff Report 701 Pennsylvania

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memo Community & Economic Development Division of Community Development 1200 County-City Building, 227 West Jefferson, South Bend, Indiana 46601-1830 Phone 574/235-9371 Fax 574/235-9021 ?? To: Redevelopment Commission Members Don Inks, Redevelopment Director From: Jeff Vitton , Community Development Planner Subject: Agenda Item Request & Staff Report: The Martin Wenger Farm House Disposition 701 Pennsylvania Avenue Date: May 3, 2010 The purpose of this correspondence is to outline a brief history of how the Redevelopment Commission (RC) came in possession of the Wenger Homestead (701 Pennsylvania), improvements the RC made the property, efforts to sell the property, and request that the RC approve the disposition of the property contingent upon the execution of a purchase contract and affidavit by the potential purchaser. The Wenger Homestead was designated as a local historic landmark by the St. Joseph County / City of South Bend Historic Preservation Commission in 1979, a State of Indiana landmark in 1997, and a National Historic Register landmark in 2000. The RC acquired the distressed property as part of the Southeast Neighborhood Redevelopment efforts in the 1990’s. As part of that effort many homes and vacant lots in the surrounding area were redevelop as new homes. Due to the Wenger Homesteads historic status, this property was not demolished to make way for new development. Instead, the RC completed limited repairs to the property to make it marketable for rehabilitation by a private party. Repairs conducted included a significant restoration of its entablature, dentil work, architrave molding, and large and paired scroll bracket supports. There has also been a re-working of the building's original arched windows and fieldstone foundation. Additional exterior improvements include the installation of a new roof, gutters, siding, and front porch. New heating, plumbing and electrical services have also been installed. The house interior is clean with wood floors throughout, and is ready for a complete interior rehabilitation. The RC marketed the property for some time through a specialty website targeting purchasers interested in historic properties (historicproperties.com). Then it was marketed through the City of South Bend’s Dollar Home Program. Most recently, in December, 2009 the home was feature on This Old House’s website, which yielded over 60 responses from interested parties. Staff prepared and provided a Request for Proposal to the interested parties. One proposal was received by the established deadline. Staff reviewed the proposal of John Morris and requested supplemental information such as photos of past work and letters of reference. Staff concluded that Mr. Morris is capable of executing What We Do Today Makes A Difference !