South Bend Project Wins State Rehab Award

The redevelopment of a more than 100-year-old South Bend building has received a statewide honor. South Bend Heritage Foundation's work on the Rushton Building is this year's Outstanding Rehabilitation Project Award winner from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. April 24, 2015

News Release

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – South Bend Heritage Foundation is this year’s recipient of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology Outstanding Rehabilitation Project Award.

In anticipation of May as National Historic Preservation Month, South Bend Heritage was recognized this week at the Statewide Preservation Conference in Kokomo, Indiana for the historic rehabilitation of the Rushton Building located at 501 West Washington Street, a 23 unit affordable housing development for senior citizens.

“The Rushton is a masterful example of preserving a building that was in deplorable condition. The project did an excellent job protecting original walls and doorways to create some really unique apartments,” said David Duvall, DNR Historical Architect and Tax Credit Administrator.

The Outstanding Rehabilitation Award is given annually to a developer, not-for profit organization, agency or individual who has demonstrated superlative achievement in historic preservation.

“This was a mission based project for us. It’s what we do. We transform neighborhoods and help people every day. It is wonderful to be recognized for our efforts,” stated Marco Mariani, executive director of South Bend Heritage.

The Historic Rushton Building, known as South Bend's first “skyscraper” was originally built in 1906 as a 35 unit apartment building. The four story building, which lain vacant for more than a decade, was converted into a 23 unit senior apartment community in 2013.

Source: South Bend Heritage Foundation