Repairs considered for historical East Chicago parochial school

EAST CHICAGO | Diocese of Gary officials are looking at options to repair a historical north side parochial school building declared off-limits last year by city inspectors.

A structural analysis of St. Mary Catholic School was completed this week, Anne Verbecke, stewardship coordinator with the diocese, told the Board of Public Safety on Wednesday.

Building Commissioner Winna Guzman prohibited use of the 99-year-old facility at 802 W. 144th St. last summer after bricks began falling from the building's upper floors.

Engineers hired by the diocese determined rainwater had infiltrated the top of the building, creating numerous cracks in the masonry and causing the eastern wall to bow outward.

A protective canopy was installed as a temporary measure over entrances then used by students, but the state fire marshal concurred with the city's decision to close the building until repairs could be made.

The diocese now is looking for cost estimates to perform the corrections indicated in the structural analysis, said Jeff Jackman, project manager with Gary-based Gariup Construction Co., consultant to the diocese on the project.

An agreement reached between the city and the diocese requires that plans for any permanent repairs must be approved by building and safety officials before work can begin.