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Home My WebLink AboutRequesting Downtown South Bend be reaffirmed as a Top Priority for Creative & Sustainable Revitalization (Chase Tower)RESOLUTION 4194 -12 Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana July 9, 2012 Attest: Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana July 10, Approved and signed by me 2012 J v1 y 10 City Clerk President of Common Council 20 (Z. a City Clerk 0M RESOLUTION Bill No. 12- GO A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, REQUESTING THAT DOWNTOWN SOUTH BEND BE RE- AFFIRMED AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE REVITALIZATION; THAT ALL POSSIBLE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES BE PURSUED, AND THAT CHASE TOWER BE ADDRESSED G►Y/" on December 7, 2010, Indiana's Lieutenant Governor announced that "Downtown South Bend, Inc." had joined the Indiana Main Street Program which "encourages the revitalization and restoration of downtown areas in Indiana cities and towns" with this program being administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA); and GA" Indiana's Lieutenant Governor noted that day that "viable downtowns are crucial to the economic health of our state" and that the program is aimed to "encourage a favorable environment for businesses" focusing on a "Four Point Approach" stressing "creating new streetscapes, facilitating housing initiatives, developing commercial and mix -use projects, and strategic planning for the downtown community" ; and 6/`7cereaQ, the Indiana Main Street Program is offering Downtown Enhancement Grants to support and promote community -based planning, marketing, and restoration efforts in Indiana Main Street communities. These efforts are aimed to "improve the quality of life for residents and provide opportunities for increasing private investment and employment ". Projects which may qualify for funding include "promotional campaigns, program branding, fagade renovations or rehabilitations, and other initiatives ", with such grant applications becoming available on July 9, 2012, and will be due to OCRA on August 31, 2012, and the Common Council believes that such grant opportunities should be pursued; and Gh" in light of the May 30, 2012 announcement by representatives of the Summit Club that "South Bend's highest restaurant" located in the heart of downtown South Bend is closing its doors after more than forty (40) years of providing culinary delights from such a spectacular location; and with the continuing challenges being faced by the downtown Chase Tower which are reported to need "at least $6 million on immediate, necessary fixes on a new roof, new energy efficient windows, new elevators, an improved HVAC system and other structural repairs "; every possible opportunity should be pursued in order to assist in stepped -up, positive actions for the sustainability of our downtown. (!r VA, E_ i Resolution on Promoting Sustainability and Pursuing Grant Opportunities for Downtown South Bend Page 2 Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, believes that all possible grant opportunities should be pursued for the betterment of Downtown South Bend, and that in particular an application for a Downtown Enhancement Grant offered through the Indiana Main Street Program should be timely pursued and filed. Section II. The Common Council further believes that greater transparency, accountability and collaboration of all public and private agencies working for the betterment of downtown South Bend needs to be a top priority, including the City Administration's latest efforts on Chase To*er. Section III. The Common Council offers its services to coordinate a series of public meetings through its Community and Economic Committee to help facilitate meaningful and positive dialogue aimed at pursuing timely results which are in the best interests of South Bend. Section IV. The Council recommends that Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) share information on a timely basis with the Council's Community and Economic Development Committee. Section V. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. Henry Davis Jr., 2 "° District Council ember 44%. Karen Karen . White, Coun ' ember at Large �/ OhN714avis, 6th Distract Council Member Pete Butt' g, Ma South Bend, Indiana 160- City Clerk PRESENTED � —9C—kZ NOT APPROVE ADOPT[t Filed in ierk%s Office UL 4 VOOD CITY CLERK, SOUTH SEND, "'YJ TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: Your Committee of the Whole, to whom was referred: BILL NO. 12 -60 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, REQUESTING THAT DOWNTOWN SOUTH BEND BE RE- AFFIRMED AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE REVITALIZATION; THAT ALL POSSIBLE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES BE PURSUED; AND THAT CHASE TOWER BE ADDRESSED Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion, this bill is being recommended to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. This bill was heard by the Community & Economic Development Committee. Karen L. White Chairperson, Committee of the Whole � �S�U� ....� City of South Bend tz W \\ PEACE , Common Council x 1865 441 County -City Building* 227W. Jefferson Blvd South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 Derek D. Dieter President July 2, 2012 Oliver J. Davis The South Bend Common Council Vice - President 4th Floor County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Karen L. White Chairperson, Committee Dear Council Members: of the Whole (574) 235 -9321 Fax (574) 235 -9173 http://www.southbendin.gov Tim Scott With the recent announcement that the Summit Club, located on the'top floor of the First District Chase Tower, in the heart of downtown South Bend has closed its doors after more than forty (40) years in this location, our downtown has received a significant gut - Henry Davis, Jr. punch. Second District Because we are a diverse, resilient, hard- working and dedicated community, we must Valerie all pull together to timely address the congestive heart failure currently attacking the Third District very heart of our downtown. Fred Ferlic Fourth District The attached resolution makes reference to the Indiana Main Street Program, which Downtown South Bend, Inc. joined in December of 2010. The Indiana Office of David Varner Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers this program. OCTA lists Aaron Fifth District Perri as Downtown South Bend, Inc.'s Director. We believe that the public is entitled to greater transparency of this program and further believes that although the Oliver J. Davis OCRA Downtown Enhancement Grant is modest in amount, that it should be Sixth District pursued. We have attached information from OCRA about this p grant program for Derek D. Dieter your review. At Large In the interest of promoting greater collaboration, we will be inviting Mr. Perri to a Gavin Ferlic Community and Economic Development Committee meeting after July 9, 2012, At Large which is the first date that the OCRA grant application becomes available. In this way the Council will all have an opportunity to hear more about the "Four Point Karen L. White Approach" developed for South Bend which is to stress "creating new streetscapes, At Large facilitating housing initiatives, developing commercial and mix -use projects, and strategic planning for the downtown community ". We seek your favorable support of this Resolution. We are requesting that it be referred to the Community and Economic Development Committee for review, public hearing and advisory recommendation at its meeting to be held on Monday, July 9, 1012. We look forward to discussing this important topic which is aimed to help the vitality of downtown South Bend. We believe that these discussions will also Cover Letter for Downtown South Bend Resolution July 2, 2012 Page 2 provide an opportunity for Scott Ford, the newly named Executive Director of the Department of Community Development, to begin to share his Department's proposed vision and strategic plans for our downtown. Thank you. Most sincerely, Henry Davis, Jr., 2nd District Council Member VaqeSe chey, 0 3 District Council Me er .9:21 K en L. White, C cil Member at Large ver Davis, 6th istrict Council Member Attachments