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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting –April 9, 2010 <br /> <br />a wide media range. A year ago Blue Waters <br />Group report on their Phase 1 work. Today, <br />Patrick Strickler, president of the firm, is <br />here to give an update on Phase 2. <br /> <br />We already have some good indications of <br />the success we’ve had. This week the city <br />released results of a survey conducted in <br />2009 and 2010 on progress we’ve seen. <br />Nearly seven of every ten residents feel <br />optimistic about South Bend’s economic <br />future; more than 56% of residents are aware <br />of Ignition Park, a jump of 16% since last <br />year’s survey; and nearly a majority of <br />residents say that Ignition Park is important <br />to South Bend’s economic future. <br /> <br />Mr. Strickler expressed his thanks and <br />pleasure at being able to address the <br />Commission. Mr. Strickler noted that Blue <br />Waters Group (BWG) did not participate in <br />the research Mr. Price just spoke of. That <br />would not have been appropriate. BWG did <br />not in any way influence that research. <br />However, in his presentation Mr. Strickler <br />intends to talk about what they think the <br />results of that study mean. <br /> <br />Mr. Strickler noted that it is very difficult to <br />change public opinion. So, it is significant <br />that 60% of the people of South Bend are <br />optimistic for South Bend’s future. But, <br />more importantly, Mr. Strickler has seen a <br />sea change in leadership in South Bend. This <br />community is really pulling together at the <br />leadership level: Notre Dame, the City of <br />South Bend, Project Future, etc. People <br />around the country are taking notice of South <br />Bend because of the way it has stepped to the <br />table to work with Notre Dame to promote <br />nanotechnology research. <br /> <br /> 41 <br /> <br />