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PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: Excerpt from February 16, 2017 LOAM Steve Szaday I am familiar with this property as I had personally on my own time helped the owner secure the property after multiple break-ins over the last four years. Many of the boarding that had taken place prior to my involvement especially those done on the second level utilized poorly fitting boards that allowed elements to enter at the top and settle on the window sashes and sills. Luckily, there are storm windows on most of the windows. Most of those had been broken instead of the actual sash glass. I counted ten storms with broken glass and six sashes with broken or missing glass. The structure has been without permanent occupants or heat since the 1980s. Fortunately, the roof that was in place had no leaks and only minor water damage in the plaster on second floor corners as a result of failing gutters. The end result of my inspection is that one in three windows are in sound condition and not deteriorated beyond repair. Those windows had properly fitted boarding and intact storms. They are all however, painted shut and without weight ropes. The remainder have suffered severe structural damage and dry rot as a result of having elements enter but not having anywhere to exit. The most damage is to the sashes and the sills. The side framework is structurally sound other than in those areas where damage was sustained during break-ins. The large fixed picture window in the front is broken with a large hole. (the glass is '/4" thick and has a green hue) The iconic oval window on the west side needs some frame attention but is in good shape. The windows located at the rear "mud - room" addition have had most of the frame work broken out and currently have either plate glass or plexiglass in place. Excerpt from June 19, 2017 9AM Steve Szaday I photographed each window on second and first floors and there are 14 windows that he is looking to replace. The structure has been boarded up for decades with the exception of six windows. This has helped the longevity of some windows but has caused some damage to others where the boarding was improperly sized or installed. I will break this down into groups based upon their condition: (1) One window is completely gone and is merely a plexiglass non operable storm window (2) Three windows have sturdy sashes that merely need re -roping and paint removal, however they are spread out throughout the house. (3) One window is the oval window that is completely deteriorated. The framework is dry -rotted and in places missing. The glass is intact but not original as it is thinner than the other window panes in the house. (4) Four windows have sashes that are in need of repairs but are salvageable. These windows were not boarded properly but were sized short of the top allowing elements in and to be trapped. In addition, a galvanized sill wrap was installed but not caulked. Water infiltration has seeped around the galvanized metal and has rotted out the sills and bottom plate. I can apply pressure to the sill and have sponge -like movement. The interior plaster shows water damage off the lower comers that runs to the base board trim. (5) Three windows have structural damage due to abuse and vandalism(break-ins). These sashes could be repaired but parting and interior stops are missing or broken and will need to be replaced (6) One window has an upper sash that is painted in place and appears to be in good condition but is missing the lower sash. (7) One windows is a large picture window at front of house. This window is a single pane sash with 1/8" thick glass that is broken. The glass measures approximately 74" inches wide by 50" inches tall. The sash is in good condition with the exception of a piece of the interior which is broken at the point where the glass was broken from the outside. The only intact storm window is the non-operable one where there is no sashes left inside. None of the remaining storm windows are complete and will all need to be replaced, I did not find any screens. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Chapin Park THE ENVIRONMENT A. THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT The Chapin Park Local Historic District is a particularly fine residential area located close to downtown South Bend, the St. Joseph River, Memorial Hospital and Leeper Park. This section is meant to protect and guide appropriate maintenance of the common areas of the district (i.e. visual landscape and streetscapes) Required Brick streets contribute greatly to the character of the neighborhood. These streets have always been essentially passenger car thoroughfares. The appointments of the streets (i.e. lighting, curbs, horse hitches and monuments) should contribute as much as possible to their architectural, historic, and residential character. Retention and maintenance of existing brick streets in the district is required. Repair work to fill voids and gaps must utilize brick paver materials and acceptable installation methods whenever applicable. When utility work dictates the removal of street sections (pavers), the original materials will be reinstalled. Brick streets shall be patched with brick pavers. Concrete, asphalt, fillers, and similar materials shall not be used. All original streetlights shall be maintained, especially the George Cutter "Park View" streetlights designed by the Cutter Company for this neighborhood. Present efforts by the Neighborhood Association and the Historic Preservation Commission to restore "Park View" streetlights to the district shall continue. Any change in lighting must receive approval of the Historic Preservation Commission.