10-22-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2012 Avon. So I’d like to take this opportunity, here at this public forum, to clarify the rationale behind preservation and to dispel the myths regarding local designation. If any of you have any misconceptions, then I am thankful for this opportunity to serve your duty for fact-finding. Forgive me for mentioning anything that you already know. First, the HPC is a government agency, not a club, or a not-for-profit organization, nor a museum or a corporation. Article 13 of South Bend’s municipal code dictates that the HPC shall have the following duties: “Survey, identify, plan for and advise the Common Council concerning the designation of historic districts (and) historic landmarks. The Historic Preservation Commission shall recommend the designation of historic landmarks and the establishment of Historic Preservation Districts on the basis of historical and cultural significance, educational value and suitability for preservation. I don’t mean to belabor the basis for the HPC’s recommendation that the Avon achieve local designation, but it’s worth repeating that it was chosen because of its broad historic meaning, public outcry, architectural merit as an example of the period revival style. Movie Houses like the Avon wee uniquely built and designed. No two were exactly alike. You won’t find another in South Bend or across the nation. The Avon is worth keeping. The building appears to be structurally sound. Both plaster and façade damage are considered to be cosmetic elements and should be repaired. The recommendation for local designation is based upon objective standards, shared by academics and city planners and urban designers; also used by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Parks Service, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the National Trust. The Historic Preservation Commission made its recommendation using these standards when it determined that the Avon met or exceeded qualifications as a Local Historic Landmark. The publicized, “compromise” presented to the HPC was analogous to the library getting to keep only pages from some of its prized books. Unlike a museum, the HPC promotes community appreciation of shared amenities by using them – not by collecting dust. Historic Landmark designation does not limit the building to any use. Only the outside of a landmark is subject to preservation standards. The building can be reinvented completely on the inside. Reasonable exterior changes are approved. HPC does not care what a building is or does. Designation does not mean the Avon must remain a theater. There is no mandate for a marquee. Adaptive reuse is left up to the owner. Designation does not mean that millions be spent to restore the Avon either. That’s only propaganda. Furthermore, designation does not prevent new additions from being constructed or becoming a component of a prospective library expansion. And regardless if the building is a landmark or not, it need only be maintained according to the same standards for buildings throughout South Bend. The HPC believes that the best way to preserve the terra cotta façade is to display it on the building for which it was intended. The “choice” advertised by library officials offered only souvenirs in exchange for the values that the HPC board pledged to support. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Others felt the same way. In 2008, I had the privilege to attend a conference by National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. The City of New Orleans hosted the event, showcasing the impact of historic preservation as a revitalization tool following Hurricane Katrina. In his keynote address, Mr. Jon Nau – then Chairman of the President’s National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation reported, that heritage tourism yields a 19:1 return in investment. He said that if you guys forget everything else from the conference remember that fact. And when you go back home, make sure your community leaders understand it. Bear in mind that for any heritage tourism to take place, we must celebrate our collection of downtown historic buildings. Crushing historic resources won’t promote that strategy one bit. We must use historic designation to sustain our built environment and stimulate public interest if we hope to reap those cultural benefits. For anyone here in these chambers that does not like old buildings, cares less about architecture, hated studying history in school, or thinks preservation is a waste of time. I challenge you to show me a program that promises a similar return on our investment. 19:1. A few years ago, the White House recognized both South Bend and St. Joseph County as “Preserve America Communities.” This distinction brings with it a potential for heritage tourism dollars and economic opportunities – opportunities desperately needed here in our downtown. The Avon fits into this model as a prestigious anchor in our city’s central downtown sector. It is part of a family of buildings that if demolished will never be duplicated in style, quality of construction, or as a part of our history. It is through the continued use of buildings like the Avon, that we retain the unique architectural flavor that is South Bend. After six decades of old habits netting fewer and fewer architectural examples, we’ve reached a critical mass in protecting those that remain. It’s imperative that we explore any and every opportunity to reuse vintage building stock before submitting to more tired demolition. It feels like 1960 all over again. If we want better results for our city, its neighborhoods and downtown, we must choose 9