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<br />OWN'REDEVELOPMENT'(Cont'd)
<br />I would like to say f`irst`of ".all, 'I agree with Mr. Butler that the
<br />Commission has done a very.good job, and that we do need to co-
<br />ope,rate to get this job done. We sort of find ourselves in the
<br />middle of the lake, and you can't swim, and which way do'you want
<br />to go-- where you started from, or try to complete this.
<br />Now, I am not trying to be negative, but my only objection is
<br />that when Associates presented their proposal`, and the staff
<br />knew it did not meet.HUD requirements, T feel on a timely basis,
<br />this proposal should have been 'rejected, because, in effect, when
<br />you don't accept a bid, and when you don't reject a bid, you're
<br />placing a cloud on that property. Now, I am not being negative.
<br />I wish these people a lot of success because we owe them 'a lot of
<br />money, and we want to see this thing go, but let's' not make the
<br />same mistakes again. Let's not get in here and tie this property
<br />up and close the door for everyone else.
<br />Our only interest, and we have made which you know a very sub-
<br />stantial investment in downtown South Bend, is that just get
<br />this thing rolling. I am not knocking anyone. Let's al. 1 work
<br />together, and in order to work together, you have to have lines
<br />of communications.
<br />Now, at least the First Bank, I think, has shown good faith,
<br />because they are setting up a series of meetings to start tell-
<br />ing the people what they plan to do. But I do request of this
<br />Commission that you do not make any verbal or written commit-
<br />ments to this group that is not made public, and I know that
<br />you will be fair and that you won't do it.
<br />Butler responded: "I think I can guarantee, on both behalf of Wayne
<br />myself that we have not made any commitments, and they are aware that
<br />ommitments can be or will be made. There is no way to option that
<br />ierty to them. They are, at this point, a prospective redeveloper of
<br />property."
<br />Commissioner Wiggins said he wanted "to raise one thing because I am sure
<br />Allen did not intend it that way, but the fact, as you stated, it would
<br />lend at least some 'credence to the possibility that there were such
<br />secret agreements with the Associates group, and there were no such
<br />agreements." Mr. Schrager said he did not mean i.t that way.
<br />Mrs Janet S. Allen stated that Mr. Schrager mentions a point that she
<br />is trying to make, because in February, 1973 -- according to 'the minutes
<br />of February 2,1973--the bid from this group was received, and Mr. Wiggins
<br />made the motion the bid from Associates Bancorp., Inc. be received.and for-
<br />warded to Legal Counsel and staff for.r.eview and recommendation. Said motion
<br />was seconded by Mr. Chenney' and unanimously carried. Mr. Helmen thanked
<br />Mr. Van Mele, the Mayor had a great big statement, presented by Dr.'Kromkowski,
<br />that covers a full page of the minutes, saying 'the commitment of Associates,
<br />one of the nation's leading financial institutions, to the City means that
<br />South Bend remains the hub of 'a prospering and growing Michiana area. All
<br />of our industries, all of our commercial firms, all of our retail and service
<br />enterprises will benefit from this commitment.' In those minutes, Mr. Helmen
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