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October 26, 1998 South Bend and St. Joseph Country HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Room" 1123, County -City Building , South Bend, IN 46601 John Oxian, President Ms. LouAnn Becker, Administrator Portage Manor 3016 Portage Avenue South Bend, IN 46628 Dear Ms. Becker: (219)235-9798 , Fax (219) 235-9598 David Duvall, Director Thank you very much for the opportunity to visit with your Board of Directors last Thursday to answer questions concerning the confusion surrounding the National Register Nomination for Portage Manor. I was extremely impressed with the condition of your facility which shows a tremendous amount of love, time and money put forth for renovations. I applaud your total labor of love. Concerning the topic of nomination for Portage Manor to the National Register of Historic Places, I wish to address a couple of points of misunderstanding. First, examples used by one of your members who presented problems of an acquaintance living on West Colfax Street in South Bend innocently concluded that this friend's problems were tied to the Historic Preservation Commission's review process.. These stories.are misleading, because the properties on West Colfax are actually governed by the. City of South Bend's Design Review Committee which includes the downtown area, Chapin and West Washington Street Corridor. The Historic Preservation Commission is NOT included in any review process of these areas unless the property is designated a Local Historic Landmark. The new Transpo Station is also under the jurisdiction of the Design Review Committee. Second, concerns presented by St. Joseph County Commissioner Cynthia Bodle relating to the LaSalle Street Bridge nomination to the National Register by the City of South Bend and the Economics Development Department are also confusing. Even though the bridge will be placed on the National Listing, it in no way encumbers any actions having to do with bridge maintenance or its existence. National Register listing is simply honorary. It was my impression going into the meeting with your board that there seemed to' be misunderstandings . 'of the role of the Historic Preservation Commission relating to National Listings. I attempted to seek the reasons for this confusion and have concluded that: _(I) due to mis-information provided to you by our previous Director, (2) evidence which has confused the Historic Preservation Commission with another agency and (3) that National Listings are only honorary should leave the situation completely without opposition or confusion. Please advise us of your decision regarding the nomination of Portage Manor to the National Register of Historic Sites and Structures. I hope that your initial recommendation might now turn to favor. Respectfully, J. Edward Talley, Director - HPC cc: County Commissioners John Oxian John Borkowski Martha Choitz COMMISSIONERS. Adrian Fine Catherine Hostetler. Janeanne Petrass J. Edward Talley Jerry Weiner