Mayor Luecke Vetoes Marquette's Historic Landmark Designation

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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Marquette Primary School

Marquette Primary School (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Dec 5, 2007 at 1:22 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 15, 2008 at 4:31 PM EST

(WSBT) An old school building may be history after the mayor overturned its historic status.

South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke announced his decision Wednesday afternoon, and vetoed a Common Council decision to deem Marquette Elementary school a historic building.

It's only the second time as mayor he's used his veto power.

To read a statement from Mayor Luecke explaining his decision, click on the link in the Related Content box.

No historic status means no protection, and the school corporation would be able to tear the building down. But it might not be that simple.

"I think that they should still keep it open,” said parent Joy Shurn. “It's looking good and the kids love it here, so I'm for it staying open."

And Mayor Steve Luecke says he is too, but has decided to veto the Common Council's 5 -3 vote to designate Marquette Primary a historic landmark.

"My preference would be that if it’s not reused as a school, we find a viable use for it,” Luecke said. “However, if we don't have a viable use for it, then I would support demolition of the structure."

Why the veto? Luecke points to three factors:

  1. The historic landmark status included not just the building, but the entire site;
  2. A remonstrance over the new building is not yet final, but Luecke says it appears to be in favor of the new building; and
  3. The owner — the South Bend School Corporation — doesn't support the landmark status.

"I think it was a good decision and one we can move forward with,” said South Bend Superintendent Robert Zimmerman.

While Zimmerman says they will again look at their options for the building at the mayor's request, what he wants in the end has been no secret.

“I think ultimately our goal will be to build a new building on that site,” Zimmerman said.

But the Historic Preservation Commission says — still — not without a fight.

"We definitely are in for the long term, so we will continue to work for the preservation of this building,” said Catherine Hostetler with the Historic Preservation Commission.

The Common Council can override the mayor's veto. They would have to do that at their next meeting on Monday and would need at least six votes for the landmarking.

It's something the Historic Preservation Commission says they'll push the council to do. But there could be another catch — council members say they're researching whether the mayor can legally use his veto on this issue, because they say in South Bend this is a zoning issue.

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