Historic‑district facade renovation at 209 South Main approved with conditions

The Crown Point Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 24 approved a certificate of appropriateness and grant scoring for a proposed facade rehabilitation at 209 South Main Street, the corner unit owned by Downtown Crown LLC. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the project to proceed with conditions intended to preserve historic fabric.

Blake, a commission staff member, told the panel that the building’s current aggregate/pebble‑dash finish (commonly called EIFS in discussion) is not recommended for use in the downtown historic district and should be removed “sensitively” to expose and assess the brick beneath. "EIFS is not recommended, as a material to use on the exterior of buildings," Blake said, and advised test removals and careful tuck‑point repairs if the underlying masonry is sound.

Applicant Eric Linemolder, who identified himself for the record and said he lives in Cedar Lake, said his team "like[s] the building" and "want[s] to do it right," describing test removals and the applicant’s intent to match storefronts in the square. The commission and staff urged preserving the historic prism/transom glass by repairing and reinstalling it behind any new insulated plate‑glass storefronts where feasible.

The approval included several specific conditions: avoid EIFS or stucco where possible; use large plate‑glass storefronts on the south elevation (rather than divided‑lite windows) to match the adjacent storefront; remove and restore transom/prism glass and reinstall it behind new glazing; submit lighting and window specifications to staff for administrative review; and route signage through staff (Josh) for administrative approval. The commission also noted a new sidewalk along the south side of the building and agreed to score the project for a facade grant.

Commissioners later discussed grant scoring and the applicant’s budget. Staff said the project budget was "over 100,000," and the panel assigned grading points (15 for rehabilitation work, 5 for continued commercial occupancy, and additional points for added investment) arriving at a combined score of 65 points for the grant consideration. Commissioners said they will compile the grading and submit the application to the Redevelopment Commission, which staff indicated meets in early December; the applicant and staff noted Dec. 1 as the relevant meeting date for redevelopment review.

The motion to approve the petition (petition 25‑19) and the related certificate of appropriateness passed on a roll‑call vote after the applicant’s presentation and staff recommendations. Commissioners voting in favor included Jim Kendall, Jolene Bollinger, John O'Block, Laura Sowerman, Donna Kendall (Adams) and Paul Bremer. Staff will work with the applicant on final material selections, lighting and signage before work proceeds.

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to move forward with detailed tests and contractor work under the stated conditions; the redevelopment‑grant paperwork and final administrative approvals will follow in the coming weeks.