06-13-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill. Barrett Berry, 1251 E. LaSalle, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is speaking in favor of the this bill. He stated that his family has owned the home at 1251 E. LaSalle for nearly four decades. He stated that they are a pillar in the community and his mother has lived there for quite a number of years and they are the neighbors of Councilmember Puzzello. He stated that he doesn’t want to stand in the way of any community and economic development for the City of South Bend. He stated that he is in favor of the project for St. Joseph High School as long as they have improved conditions at Washington High School so the students don’t have to have portable units on campus because they don’t have the adequate number of classrooms inside the school. He also stated that he is in favor of this project if there is a replacement or relocation of the Family Dollar Store. He stated that he is in favor of the Memorandum of Understanding outlining and solidifying the relationship between the school and the public, so that public dollars won’t go to a private entity without being public use put into place. He stated that as he understands it the high will be built regardless of whether or not this parcel is acquired by the City. He stated that will all things in place he is in favor of this project. Diane Fox, 3334 Sandwood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she is a life-long resident, a public school graduate, earned her higher education all in South Bend, at Indiana University as well as University of Notre Dame. She stated that she is in complete and total commitment to this project and encouraged the Council to consider it. The revitalization of the neighborhoods cannot be said too many times. She stated that with the hospital gone there is a drastic literally and figurative absence in our community. Beside being an isore, this investment that St. Joseph High School is willing to make again as it did over 50 years ago will provide the South Bend Community with the continuation of a good neighbor. St. Joe is a long standing entity known for quality and a positive impact in the community and again they were willing to reinvest in that community. There is an organization at the high school that is called HOPE Helping Other People Endure this organization has been going on since at least 1980. In that time one half a million dollars has been invested in its food drive. That’s one project that takes place where monthly projects do take place whose goal is to help those people our neighbors who are in need. People are talking about how easy it would be for St. Joe to throw in another million dollars they have not met their total yet and as the Council can idealize with their campaigns throwing in another thousand dollars or another million dollars seems like a great deal of money. It is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination to think that 1.2 million dollars is no problem. The school is willing to invest in the community and she urged the Council to invest in this good neighbor. Susan Richter, 1715 Hass Drive, South Bend, Indiana, Principal St. Joseph High School, advised that she too has been a resident for over 19 years. She stated that she speaks in favor of this proposal because she feels it will provide economic development for the City of South Bend. She stated that they are looking at a 1.2 million dollar investment for a return of 35.5 million dollars in a private project. Everybody has asked how much money the project will continue to bring. She stated that she didn’t know if an exact dollar amount on that, but is certain that they will be able to help business be created in this area and will help to revitalize the neighborhoods the near northeast neighborhood, the East Bank, and it will go on and one what will happen when they come down into this area and produce a thriving business, a vibrant business which produces education citizens for South Bend. She stated that they have been doing that for over fifty-eight years and will continue to do that. The amount of enthusiasm and optimism that this will create for the City is hard to put into words. The real estate value which they heard at the committee meeting earlier this evening will definitely go up there is not doubt about that. She stated that the collaboration that they could have at St. Joseph with other schools will benefit all students in the City of South Bend. In the events that will be held at the school whether they are sporting events or other events will also create vibrant situations for the businesses that she is sure will follow the school being built there. There is a hole left there by the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and it will be replaced by an institution that will bring a vibrant business of educating future citizens of South Bend. It has been a remarkable feat of the St. Joe Family that they have raised over 33 million dollars in 14 short months. She stated that it has been said that you can go ahead and raise another 1.2 15