07-08-2005 Historic Oliver School Bricks Are Cornerstone of Revitalization Activities

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Historic Oliver School Bricks Are Cornerstone of Revitalization Activities Page 1 of 2 � v%• 'Building a 21St Century City " ' rs Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor RELEASE FROM: FOR RELEASE: Office of the Mayor Friday, July 8, 2005 Historic Oliver School Bricks Are Cornerstone of Revitalization Activities The Rum Village Neighborhood Association held an open house Wednesday at the Rum Village Partnership Center at 1031 W. Dubail. The open house launched a "commemorative brick" fundraiser to support the Neighborhood Association's activities and the continued development of the former Oliver School site. The Neighborhood Association presented memorial bricks from the Oliver School building to Mayor Luecke, and City of South Bend officials Gary Gilot and Carl Littrell of the City's Public Works Department and Marco Mariani of the Department of Community and Economic Development, for their dedication and efforts in developing the former Oliver School site. "I'd like to thank the Mayor and the other City representatives for the way they have stood up for the residents of Rum Village when the time came to tear down the Oliver School building", said Shirley Fulton, a Rum Village Neighborhood Association board member. "I would also like to thank them for providing for a consultant to facilitate neighborhood discussion and input for identifying appropriate development of this site." The City assisted the Neighborhood Association in preserving 1,000 bricks from the Oliver School building following the building demolition in an effort to raise money for the Association's projects. The RVNA, through the Rum Village Partnership Center, is selling Oliver School bricks with an attractive plaque commemorating the school (1904-2003). The bricks cost $10 each, and domestic shipping is available. The Association has partnered with the South Bend Community School Corporation in hopes of marketing the bricks to Oliver School alumni, including those who now live outside of Rum Village or the city. "The Neighborhood Association is actively reaching out to those who may be interested in purchasing the Oliver bricks", said Maurice Williams, Rum Village Neighborhood Association President. "This is not just about preserving a part of the Oliver School building, but also about cherishing our memories and supporting the Neighborhood Association as it continues to work for the betterment of the Rum Village Neighborhood." Oliver School was built in 1904 and was vacated by the South Bend Community School Corporation in 1982. That year it was also designated a local historic landmark. Unable to maintain the building, the Corporation donated it to a local non-profit corporation for use as a performing arts center. The project failed, and the building fell further into disrepair. Due to delinquent taxes, the building became the property of St. Joseph County. In 2001, the City commissioned a study to determine the suitability of the structure for reuse. After extensive review, the study concluded that the building was structurally unsound and too expensive to repair and reuse. Subsequently, an Oliver School site reuse plan was prepared for the City by Kil Architecture and Planning and Cardinal Development through an extensive public planning process. In 2003, the City acquired the building from St. Joseph County and cleared the site with $430,000 of Community Development (CDBG) federal funding. During the demolition and in consultation with the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, the City preserved a number of artifacts, such as glass windows, exterior stone step, and terra cotta elements, which will be integrated into future http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us/Press/Releases 2005/070805 OliverBricks.htm 1/13/2006