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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting —March 13, 2012 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />C. Airport Economic Development Area <br />(7) continued... <br />accomplish all of that. Mr. Smith answered <br />that needs more space to locate power for his <br />data centers. He would otherwise build a <br />new building outside of the downtown. <br />However, if the city can participate in a <br />public - private partnership, he could remain <br />downtown and this eyesore of a building, Ivy <br />Tower, could be renovated into a beautiful <br />entrance to Ignition Park. He would like to <br />cooperate with that effort. <br />Mr. Davis asked about a marketing campaign <br />for Chicago and how Mr. Smith would <br />market South Bend to Chicago. Mr. Smith <br />responded that transportation would be the <br />key: if the South Shore could get people from <br />between Chicago and downtown South Bend <br />in an hour and fifteen minutes, he thinks <br />people would move their businesses. <br />Mr. Davis asked whether South Bend's tax <br />break for data centers was helpful to bringing <br />business in. Mr. Smith said it was extremely <br />SO. <br />Mr. Davis noticed that Mr. Smith had not <br />mentioned the homeless center, Hope <br />Ministries and county jail that are neighbors <br />to Union Station and Ivy Tower. Mr. Smith <br />said that the key to creating a pedestrian <br />friendly, secure area is to get enough people <br />there. There are all those conditions in <br />downtown Chicago, but you feel safe <br />walking downtown in Chicago. <br />Mr. Alford questioned making the sixth and <br />25 <br />