County council urges consideration of plan to preserve Portage Manor; resolution passes 6-3

The Saint Joseph County Council on Nov. 12 adopted a nonbinding resolution recommending that county commissioners examine a community proposal to preserve Portage Manor and its surrounding grounds.

The resolution, introduced by Councilor Joe Thomas, notes that "Portage Manor is historically meaningful to the people of Saint Joseph County," and urges the commissioners to consider public proposals — including a plan from Saint Thomas More School to restore the building and proposals from local ecologists to preserve portions of the grounds.

Why it matters: Portage Manor, an early-20th-century building that once housed elderly residents, is locally significant; speakers at the council meeting said a restoration could return the site to active community use and protect green space in South Bend.

Public support and concerns: Dozens of residents spoke during a public hearing. Deborah Doral told the council she was "overwhelmingly in favor" of preserving both the building and the land. Kevin Connery urged the county to transfer the building to Saint Thomas More and retain ownership of the land, suggesting a nominal sale to reduce taxpayer costs and preserve a county reversion right: "My suggestion would be that we sell it to them for a dollar and we hold on the land," he said.

Several speakers recommended a transparent selection process. Jan Cervelli Granger urged the creation of a special commission to develop selection criteria and heal community trust after the facility's closure.

Council response and vote: Council members split over process. Councilwoman Diana Hess and others preferred an open solicitation or auction to ensure public vetting; Councilwoman Tanner said she supported the resolution's preservation intent but wanted legal protections such as long-term leases that revert to the county and conservation easements. The council voted 6-3 to pass Bill 89-25, sending a formal recommendation that the county commissioners review the school-led proposal and any other public offers.

What happens next: The resolution is advisory; it asks the county commissioners to consider proposals and determine feasibility. The council did not transfer property or adopt binding terms; council members who opposed the resolution said they wanted a competitive or more transparent process before any sale or long-term conveyance.

Reported at the meeting: the resolution text and public testimony were presented on the record, and the council recorded the roll-call vote as 6 yes, 3 no.