August 2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Douglas Alan Gibson 1025 Hudson Avenue South Bend, Indiana 46616 (574)- 233 -3626 dgibson864 @aoLcom August 11, 2003 Karen Hammond -Nash Historic Preservation Commission Of South Bend and St. Joseph County 125 South Lafayette Boulevard South Bend, In 46601 -1830 Dear Ms. Hammond -Nash: I purchased my home at 1025 Hudson Avenue in November 1998. Acquiring the home was the first part of a childhood dream to own an historic home. The second part of that dream is to renovate the home. Upon attaining the home, I set a goal of five years for completion of the exterior renovation, this December is my personal deadline. Therefore, it is my pleasure to present my plans for a thoughtful renovation of my 1917 Arts and Crafts Bungalow to you and the Historic Preservation Commission for approval and Certificate of Appropriateness.' Mr. Gregory Kil, of Kil Architecture prepared the plans for the home. The plans were derived primarily from discussions and photographs from Mrs. Rosemary Bennett, formerly Rosemary Fritz, who's parents owned the home from approximately 1940 until approximately 1968. Sadly, Mrs. Fritz' father died on the homes' front steps after a fall from the second story, trying to paint the trim around the windows, as a result of his wife's refusal to place aluminum siding on the exterior of the home. Unfortunately, after his death, Mrs. Fritz covered the exterior of the home with aluminum siding and fabricated limestone. Sadly, also at this time, the front porch, previously an open -air pergola, was boxed in with storm windows and its pergola detail was removed to allow the aluminum cladding. Simultaneously, all the crown moldings above the windows and the trim piece separating the 8" and 4" lap siding were removed. I will continue to work with architect, Gregory Kil, until the project is completed. Also, I have hired Chad Herman, of Herman Construction, to complete the renovation. The plans are two -fold. I am requesting COA for the entire project; however, I will be completing the project in at least two phases.