6B(2) Miracle Park at Blackthorn

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b /3 (z) • r a n • u m 44 5OUT8 g Community & Economic Development', 1200 County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson, South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 Phone 574/235 -9371 Fax 574/235 -9021 To: Redevelopment Commission From: Bill Schalliol, Economic Development Planner Subject: Staff Report - Miracle Park at Blackthorn Date: April 8, 2011 Miracle Park is a joint venture project proposed for development between the Park Department and the Department of C &ED. Miracle Park is proposed to be a large acreage park (projected at over 50 acres) that would be located at the southeast quadrant of Nimtz Parkway /Old Cleveland Road and Olive Road on the City's northwest side. The focus of Miracle Park is to develop multiple recreation opportunities for special ability citizens within the City of South Bend and surrounding areas. The park concept, which started as a response to unsuccessful development attempts for a Challenger Little League facility at Voorde Park, would create space for baseball, basketball, track and other recreation options like soccer or other field sports. A site plan of the proposed park is attached to this staff report. The park would be designed in such a way, and with careful coordination of special ability representative groups, that the park could have multiple functionality for many different groups and activities as well as have functional use for non - challenged park users. The first two phases of this project that will be covered within a multi- agency agreement between the Redevelopment Commission and the Parks Board including Land Acquisition Services (pre- acquisition) and Predevelopment Services. The Land Acquisition component would consist of appraisal work and acquisition negotiations with a maximum of 5 property owners that own 6 parcels that could be incorporated into the project site. Two of the parcels at the far southern end might not be included in the project depending on circumstances with the land. The City has recently worked with this group of property owners as it has acquired right -of -way for the Olive Road improvement project. A budget will be prepared for the land acquisition and that budget will be considered in the future as Phase 3 of the project for separate approval. The second phase of the project is the Predevelopment Services. The site will require topographic and boundary survey services and will require geotechnical testing and related work to determine the best way to grade and develop the site. Also, documentation will be prepared for annexation of the proposed park site and the recently acquired Olive Road right -of -way so that the park can be incorporated within the City limits. is anticipated that this predevelopment stage will last several months and once a site plan is developed, the final project scope and budget will be presented to the Commission for review. Staff requests Commission support for the creation of an agreement between the Redevelopment Commission and the Parks Board for the Miracle Park at Blackthorn project. What We Do Today Makes A Difference!