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REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2007 <br />Mr. Dick Nussbaum, 210 S. Michigan, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he was asked <br />seven years ago, by then Councilmember Karl King, 4~` District Council and Lou Nanni <br />from Notre Dame to form the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization. He <br />stated that this is one of thing that he is most proud of during his career in South Bend. <br />Not so much because of this proposed project, but the things that the NNRO has <br />accomplished by brining the neighbors into the process, the organization's board of <br />directors consists of neighbors like Molly Whelan and Marguerite Taylor and they <br />believe that citizen input is important. They do things in the NNRO that maybe aren't as <br />big as the project that is before the Council tonight, but they supplement those big things. <br />If you look up and down Notre Dame Avenue and you see the large homes that are they <br />now, the NNRO really didn't have a lot to do with that but if you go off a block or two, <br />and you see some of the small homes that have been rehab and see folks are staying in the <br />neighborhood because they have good affordable housing the NNRO has had a lot to do <br />with that. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity here and behalf of the NNRO who has <br />voted in support of this project and support for the TIF district that is going to help pay <br />for some of the infrastructure that was just talked about, they think that this is an <br />opportunity to be ceased and move forward. He thanked the Council for being <br />responsible for some of the conditions that they are putting forth and talking about, and <br />working hard to do the job that needs to be done. He urged the Council to vote in favor <br />of this project. <br />Ms. Linda Jirreh, 1325 Cedar Street, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. She <br />stated that she is the president of the Northeast Neighborhood Council and that she is <br />here on behalf of the Council in support of the Eddy Street Corridor project. The Board <br />of Directors consists of 25 members. Twenty of those members are voting. Eight-five <br />percent of the voters support this project 100%. As a board they have attended countless <br />meetings and planning sessions from the design guidelines, and presentations. The NENC <br />Board is pleased with the progress made. They also pledge their continued support and <br />willingness to address concerns as need and as always they welcome neighbors to <br />participate in the Northeast Neighborhood Council to get involved and be informed. She <br />stated that she grew up in the triangle on Georgiana and later moved to Campeau and <br />then to Cedar. She can say that at times she has seen great progress and would like for <br />her kids and grandkid to live in this neighborhood and love it as much as she does. <br />Mr. Scott Jessup, 902 N. Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has lived in the <br />neighborhood for about one year. Mr. Jessup stated that his daughter is planning on <br />attended college much to his chagrin at the University of Wisconsin, in Madison <br />Wisconsin. The whole process of deciding where to go was based on two reasons. The <br />first reason was the City of Madison itself Wisconsin is a great school, but Madison is a <br />very vibrant community, it is the epitome new urbanism that we would like to see in this <br />neighborhood. The second reason was to go was to get away from him. But, the fact that <br />she chose her University based upon the vibrancy, the opportunities, and everything that <br />the community in Madison had to offer. We as a community need to embrace that and <br />listen to the youth of today and think about what they want in their community. <br />Development is a risky process, it is uncertain. There is absolutely no way that anybody <br />can guarantee how this project is going to turn out, but if you look at Grape Road at one <br />time somebody took a risk, somebody took a look at those corn fields and said you know <br />what we can develop this into a retail and office park. Somebody took the risk and <br />somebody had the courage to say yes we will back that risk. Mishawaka has benefited <br />from that greatly. We are on the cusp of taking a look at what is a risky decision. If we <br />strive for perfection, that is going to be the greatest threat to progress. There will be <br />problems and issues that need to be considered and listened to. Kite has demonstrated a <br />willingness to listen, to be flexible and try to accommodate where they can. At the end of <br />the day, they need to get a decent return on this 200 million dollar investment that they <br />are making and that is in our community. When he sees residents like Marguerite Taylor <br />stand up and say that this is good development for the neighborhood and the residents of <br />South Bend, he just stands in awe of it, because he has only lived there for one year and <br />she has been a rock in the neighborhood for years, the Council ought to listen and listen <br />very carefully. <br />24 <br />