Commission approves major structural rehabilitation at 902 Franklin Street

The Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission on June 22 approved a package of Certificates of Appropriateness to permit major structural and envelope work at 902 Franklin Street, a notable commercial building known as the Oriental Pearl.

Owner Paul Agus told the commission the building is in "very, very poor shape," detailing decades of ad hoc repairs, water damage and missing historic elements. Agus said engineers and architects recommend rebuilding parapet walls, installing new roof trusses and replacing or modifying alley‑facing walls to accommodate egress and code-required improvements.

Indiana Landmarks' staff report recommended approving the repairs for non-original portions of the structure, rebuilding or repairing parapet walls where required and removing the unsafe south chimney. Staff also recommended that the applicant confirm final window selections for the alley-facing openings and engage qualified masonry professionals to avoid damage from improper tuckpointing.

The commission voted to approve motions that together permit:
- rebuilding the south parapet wall;
- adding two courses of 8" CMU to the east alley wall;
- adding a main door in the east (alley) CMU wall;
- repairing north parapet caps visible on Ninth Street;
- modifying and replacing windows on the east CMU wall with a staff-confirmed window type; and
- removing the south chimney identified as a safety hazard.

Staff and commissioners emphasized conditions intended to protect historic fabric where possible. The approval requires the applicant to confirm window types with staff prior to installation and to use appropriate mortar mixes and experienced masonry contractors for tuckpointing, reflecting Indiana Landmarks' guidance.

The motions clear the way for the owner to proceed with structural roof work and parapet reconstruction that will allow new roof trusses to carry the building roof system. The commission's actions were framed as preservation‑minded but responsive to safety and building‑code needs; several commissioners remarked that delaying structural work would risk greater loss.

Next steps: the applicant must provide final window specifications and contractor/mortar information to staff for approval before installing replacement windows and beginning masonry work.