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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
<br />people of this community, what is going to bring our children back, or what’s going to
<br />keep the people here.” This is one of those gems of the City of South Bend, that needs to
<br />be kept instead of just demolishing it, before the City even gives it a chance, they have
<br />done nothing for the last five years to try to help the greenhouse and conservatories. She
<br />stated that she visits the greenhouse and conservatories frequently, and has seen people
<br />who want to volunteer to help restore and repair the greenhouse and conservatories,
<br />which were turned down by the Park Department. There are many things that could be
<br />done to help keep the greenhouse and conservatories open. She has a petition that states
<br />we the undersigned residents of this community hereby petition the Common Council to
<br />reject the proposed closing of the Greenhouses, Ella Morris Conservatories and the
<br />Muessel Ellison Tropical Gardens at Potowatomi Park, these beautiful structures and the
<br />plants that they house are an important part of this community and are irreplaceable. She
<br />started the petition on September 7, 2006 and at this point in time, she has 570 signatures.
<br />She did not file the petitions with the Office of the City Clerk; she would like to continue
<br />to gather signatures
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<br />Ms. Carol Davis, 623 S. 23 Street, South Bend, Indiana, spoke opposed to the closing of
<br />the Greenhouse and Conservatory. It would be a terrible thing to loose such a beautiful
<br />place. They were donated in good faith, and how would the City every be able to ask for
<br />donations again, if they just demolish it.
<br />Ms. Jean De Winter, 1226 Altgeld, South Bend, Indiana, spoke opposed to the closing of
<br />the Greenhouse and Conservatory. She stated that she does not know how such a
<br />wonderful and beautiful community asset could be allowed to deteriorate and now
<br />disappear. It is not just the historic, yet, crumbling physical building at stake; it is the
<br />exotic and unique plants and the beauty that give to an entire region. As the South Bend
<br />Tribune recently published “three generations of one Mishawaka family enjoyed the
<br />Greenhouse one afternoon.” It seems logical that this is not just a South Bend problem,
<br />this is a community problem, and all the citizens of St. Joseph County, must contribute
<br />and work together in order to continue promoting its timeless lesson. The lesson is
<br />simple, we must maintain our community assets in order to retain a healthy and fund
<br />environment for all generations to enjoy. When assets like our community greenhouses
<br />are allowed to fall in disrepair, and then closed altogether, it paints a bleak picture for our
<br />future. If we cannot maintain beauty today, how will we ever be able to support a
<br />beautiful community in the future? How will we encourage our younger generations to
<br />stay here, if they have no place of beauty in which to retreat. We must maintain green
<br />space in our community. We the people of this community must be asked for our help
<br />and there generosity in raising the necessary funds to keep this community asset alive and
<br />thriving. The community’s creativity can keep the greenhouse alive with the help of this
<br />Council and concerned citizens, the community can maintain one of its most beautiful
<br />assets for future generations. It must if this City and Community is willing to give it a
<br />try.
<br />Ms. Amy Herdman, Assistant Director, St. Joseph County Historic Preservation
<br />Commission, 330 W. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to the
<br />closing of the Greenhouse and Conservatory. Ms. Herman reiterated he comments from
<br />the night before that she emphasize with the Council for the difficult task that they have
<br />before them in their decision making on the future of the Greenhouses and
<br />Conservatories. She implored the Council to spare the greenhouses and conservatories.
<br />She quoted Mr. George Kessler, who was commissioned by the City of South Bend, and
<br />this statement comes in 1912, in a statement to the South Bend Board of Park
<br />Commissioners. Mr. Kessler was a landscape architect, of quite great stature and world
<br />travel and world renowned and he said of South Bend and its Greenhouse and
<br />Conservatories: “It is unusual that so pronouncedly a manufacturing city should have
<br />cared to express good taste in the public surroundings of its residence.” As the Historic
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<br />Preservation Commission is celebrating the 95 Anniversary of Mr. Kessler’s
<br />Commission to his service in South Bend, she would hope that the Council would heed
<br />those words. In employing positive thought on the matter, assuming that the Council
<br />chooses to spare these facilities, the HPC did some basic searches on the internet, in
<br />search of grant money, alternative funding. HPC found thousands of dollars available in
<br />a conservation support grant with a $250,000 award ceiling offered by the Institute of
<br />Museum and Library Services, for which these facilities would qualify. A preservation
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