08-17-2007 New strategy seeks to expand downtown renaissance

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by development stays within the boundaries of the district to fund infrastructure improvements, including curbs, sidewalks, streets, landscaping and other public improvements. Initiatives in the three-year strategy include (in order of priority): 1. Michigan Street infrastructure improvements—Over two years, the city will spend $600,000 to thoroughly reconstruct street, curb and sidewalks along Michigan Street from Western Avenue north to LaSalle Avenue. After minor repairs this fall, construction will take place in spring 2008. 2. A drive-through pharmacy and/or grocery store -- The city is working with CB Richard Ellis, 202 S. Michigan St., to determine what sites provide the best criteria to recruit a national drugstore chain or a boutique grocery store to possible sites within the central business district, including city-owned property at Main Street and Western Avenue or at the northwest corner of Chapin Street and Western Avenue. Downtown residents and the nearly 18,000 people who work downtown identify a pharmacy as the No. 1 retail goal for downtown. 3. LaSalle Hotel— Hoffman Hotel—With at least two developers exploring the site as potential apartments, condominiums or a boutique hotel, the city's Redevelopment Commission is prepared to accept an option agreement that would give a developer site control for up to nine months. The city is prepared to build a parking garage between the Morris Performing Arts Center and the hotel using TIE dollars, but will not budget the funds until there is commitment from a developer. 4. East Bank mixed-use development—The Redevelopment Commission has engaged JJR of Chicago to work Holladay Corp., a local developer serving on a volunteer basis, to lead a comprehensive planning process for new development along the East Bank from LaSalle Avenue south to Jefferson Boulevard and from the Race east to Hill Street. The city has budgeted $100,000 in 2007 for two planning contracts, while additional TIE funds are available in 2008 and 2009 for anticipated pre-development investment. An additional priority is for primarily residential development from Jefferson Boulevard south to the Transpo site on the river and east to Eddy Street. 5. Central Library expansion—The St. Joseph County Public Library has plans for a 37,000-square-foot expansion of its main library. But project estimates of$25 million to $40 million led the library to delay the project until 2017 because of insufficient bonding capacity in the wake of the Circuit Breaker. Redevelopment staff will meet with library officials to express the city's support and explore ways the city can assist, including financially. 6. Sale of city-owned property—CB Richard Ellis will actively market all city-owned property in the downtown (and in its industrial parks). Similarly, the Redevelopment Commission is considering a five-year option agreement by Grubb & Ellisl Cressy & Everett, 3930 Edison Lakes Parkway in Mishawaka, to act as master developer of Blackthorn, which could feature mixed use and residential development. 7. Gates Chevrolet properties—In the first step of ongoing work to control sites owned by Gates in the southern quadrant of downtown, the city plans to buy former Gates Chevrolet properties, including the old Sears building and a lot at Williams and Wayne streets. The goal is to secure properties near the city-owned Coveleski Regional Stadium for a potential public-private development in conjunction with a new entrance to stadium through centerfield. 8. Demolition of Fat Daddy's block—Located at a key entrance to the central business district, this series of connected brick commercial buildings at 501-505 S. Michigan St. now houses only Fat Daddy's Discount Outlet with much of the space vacant. The