State preservation group wants blighted houses near Vincennes campus saved

All of the others in that square block, he said, have already been razed.

All four in question, he said, are in deteriorating conditions, although there is someone living at 824 N. Fourth St.

Tommy Klecker, Indiana Landmark's western region director, argued that VU's years of tearing down houses the university deems uninhabitable must stop.

“They acquire what they can, what seem to be unsightly properties and tear them down,” Kleckner told the HRB. “It's this block, then the next block and the next.”

Kleckner also took issue with the university's lack of just cause. Young said three others on that square block were torn down — with the HRB's blessing — a year ago to make way for a “project that didn't end up happening.” But he said VU wants to continue its expansion so it is prepared for when it does.

“My concern is that these demolitions continue to be approved with no other intended use than the possibility of future expansion,” Kleckner said stressing the word "possibility." “So where does it stop? Where is the line drawn to ensure this kind of demolition doesn't simply just continue?”

Kleckner said he visited the four properties in question last week, and he strongly believes that 824 N. Fourth St., the one that currently has a tenant, can and should be saved.

He argues the same for 313 Harrison St.

Both he said appear to be structurally sound and have unique historic elements worthy of preserving.

Kleckner said he recognizes the overall decline of that general area, but revitalizing those two homes, he said, could spur continued economic development. Demolition, he said, “does none of that.”

HRB member Steve Black, a university art professor with a reputation of renovating older houses, argued that the problem is much bigger than these four houses. Three of them are empty, have been left open to the elements and are in severe decay.

City inspector Phil Cooper said people have broken into them repeatedly, and there is evidence of fires and drug use.

Even Dennis Kordes, a local resident listening to the discussion, pointed out that "gang symbols" had been spray-painted on at least one of these four houses, and they are often used as refuge by those fleeing the police.

Black said there needs to be some kind of local incentive program for people to take care of their properties instead of allowing them to deteriorate.

“There is something inherently wrong about a trajectory that allows for this to happen,” he said.

HRB president Brian Grumieaux said he agreed with Kleckner that “something great” could be done with 313 Harrison St., but he questioned whether anyone would step up and invest in it.

“I'm certainly not going to,” he told the group. “And I'm not sure who will.”

But Kleckner pointed out the HRB's own bylaws. Members are not obligated to first consider the financial aspect of an application, only the historic value that would be lost.

The burden, he said, lies on the property owner to prove that not tearing down the home would place upon them an extreme financial hardship.

Young, however, argued that that was, in fact, the case. He said it would cost “three to five times more” to fix these houses up and reuse them than to tear them down. And, he said, the university doesn't want them anyway.

HRB member Kelly Marley, in recognizing that the board was likely at an impasse, suggested tabling the request and tour the properties with both VU officials and Kleckner present for consultation.

That would also give HRB member Cathy Lane an opportunity to attend as she was absent from Tuesday's meeting.

“I have no solution to the blight in Vincennes,” Marley said, “other than I wish people would take care of what they have. VU adds a lot to the community, but it also takes away.”

The group decided to meet at the properties at 5:30 p.m. Monday to resume discussions.