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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 26, 2010 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />stated that it is time to take a stand for the redevelopment of LaSalle Square with the <br />neighbors and all of their supporters, which includes most, if not all the member of the <br />Common Council. He urged the Council to send this resolution back with no votes and <br />when asked why it was turned down, tell them you will not accept any resolutions for <br />acquiring any more property in the AEDA until action is taken in LaSalle Square. Start <br />the survey work required to begin the process of buying the right of way for the extension <br />of Bonds Avenue and adding curbs and sidewalks. He strongly urged the City Attorney’s <br />Office to review the number of calls for service by the SBPD and SBFD to Beacon <br />Heights and to start using all methods at their disposal to start fining the management of <br />Beacon Heights to the excessive number of call for service to their property. It’s time to <br />take of the kid’s gloves and start cleaning up the neighborhood. He stated that as for <br />LaSalle Square, this is one of those rare opportunities where citizens can demand <br />accountability and as representatives for those citizens, can hold the administration <br />accountable for how it spends TIF monies. He stated make no mistakes, they are not <br />asking your support to prod the administration to do something contradictory to their <br />previously stated intentions. On the contrary, they are asking the administration and <br />those who previously indicated support for the redevelopment of LaSalle Square to <br />reaffirm that support for LaSalle Square’s redevelopment and stand with us, the <br />stakeholders, the neighbors and the citizens of the west side. Some might say they are <br />asking the Council to put their money where their mouth is but they would be wrong. <br />They are asking the Council to “put OUR money where your mouth is.” Everyone talks <br />about accountability in government. It is not often enough that such great opportunities <br />to secure accountability land in your lap. He stated that the neighbors of the LWWGA, <br />ask the Council to vote no on this resolution. Take a stand for the principles of fairness <br />and equity. Take the redevelopment of LaSalle Square off the back burner and put it <br />back into the mix of vitally important redevelopment projects. Most importantly, stand <br />behind your words. <br /> <br />Ms. Vera Smith, 2715 Bonds Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is totally <br />opposed to this resolution. She agreed with Mr. Niezgodski 100%. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis stated that there is a lot of apathy regarding no movement <br />at LaSalle Square. A small thing got pushed out by the big thing. He stated that the <br />projects that are being proposed are stretched too far and he stated that there won’t be <br />anything left for the little people’s project. He stated that he is disappointed with the <br />progress over the past two (2) years at LaSalle Squire. He stated that they need to stop <br />adding or acquiring more projects and plain and simple get the LaSalle Square Project <br />done. He stated that the residents of LaSalle Square need to get the resources that they so <br />desperately need. <br /> <br />Councilmember White advised that she too is concerned with all the challenges at <br />LaSalle Square and remains consistent on supporting projects that the Council has made <br />commitments on. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis understands Councilmember Henry Davis’ concerns; <br />however, he stated that they need to get the private owner’s to participate at LaSalle <br />Square. He stated that voting against other development in other parts of the city is not <br />going to help the situation either. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rouse reiterated that they need to get the majority owners of parcels at <br />LaSalle Square namely Rev. Miller from Faith Apostolic on board to move forward with <br />the development there. <br /> <br />Councilmember Puzzello stated that maybe smaller steps could be taken like the Bonds <br />Street extension and curbs and sidewalks project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kirsits stated that he lives in the LaSalle Square area and this is a tough <br />and dirty project. He stated that in all reality huge retail will not come back to LaSalle <br />Square. He wishes that it would but, this is a tough and competitive market driven by <br />statistics that just aren’t feasible currently. He urged the Council to trust the <br /> 8 <br /> <br />