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By CHRISTINE KRAUS | Saturday, October 20, 1990 | (No comments posted.)
CROWN POINT - The old Sheriff's House, 226 S. Main St., has new owners.
Grass-roots supporters of the 108-year-old historic landmark finally have
the deed to the property in hand. The Sheriff's House Foundation signed
easement rights over to Bank One of Merrillville on Monday to seal the
agreement.
As title holder, the bank had until the end of the work day Monday to redeem
the property.
The foundation bought the Sheriff's House and adjoining jail Oct. 16, 1989
for $14,316 in back taxes. Payment of taxes had lapsed in 1987 and 1988, and
the house was put on the auction block.
Bank One had one year to redeem the property by paying $14,316, plus an
interest penalty. A few months ago bank officials offered to transfer the title
to the foundation early, if it would agree to easement rights.
John Heidbreder, foundation president, said supporters agreed Monday to give
the bank full pedestrian and partial traffic rights on the north side of the
building. The bank owns buildings on the north side of the Sheriff's House.
With the title now in hand, Heidbreder said plans for restoring the house
and 42 feet of the adjoining jail for professional office suites can begin. The
remainder of the jail will be razed for a 28-space public parking lot.
"We're waiting on the trade union to see when they can start," Heidbreder
said. "They'll be implementing an apprentice program to start the project,
under the direction of skilled laborers."
Two years ago, the Northwest Indiana District Council of Carpenters pledged
as much as $40,000 in donated labor. Repairs to the roof, the porch and masonry
need immediate attention.
Heidbreder said the foundation already has secured insurance for the
project. The group also has applied to the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources for a matching grant of $49,000.
"We have hopes that (the Hometown Indiana Grant) may come to us," Heidbreder
said. "The money will supposedly come through the lottery funds."
The foundation has the matching $49,000 on hand from earlier fund-raisers.
Future fund-raisers are being planned.
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