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SOUTH END REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SPECIA MEETING: July 10, 1975 Page 18. Mr. Dan Caesar, Reporter for WSBT -TV, asked, "If you take both proposals side -by -side, which has the greatest economic impact on the community? Mr. Butler advised as he is not an economist, that is an impossible question to answer. Mr. Caesar then asked, "Which one has more to offer in investment? That you can answer, as you can look at both parts. Does anyone on the Commission know that answer ? " Mr. Butler replied, "I think, frankly, we are very fortunate to have two excellent development groups inter- ested in developing Block 6. Mr. Caesar said that didn't answer his question. Mr. Brownell said he doesn't have an answer to his question, but the development that we are considering from Mr. Taylor's group estimates $14 Million in development on Block 6. Mr. Medlock's group is suggesting a motor lodge and restaurant and their motor lodge and restaurant in Grand Rapids cost $3 Million, and the rest of the development he has no figures on yet. Mr. Medlock said in his letter (that 'is before the Commission) indi- cates $16 to $18 Million. Commissioner Wiggins said, "You have to bear in mind that we are dealing with estimates in both of these instances, because the total development is not, in either case, all completely firmed up and ready to go. This is over a period of time that the development will happen, so that to some degree these are fair offsetting kind of thing." Mr. Steve Parker added, "I would like to say, in kind of a defense to Mr. Rosenthal. Basically, I think what the Redevelopment was trying to do was to tear down businesses that weren't doing well to make downtown look nicer and to bring in new businesses. Here I see the differences in the two proposals. One is local business- men involved in their community to try to make available land for other local businessmen to develop.- I am interested in building a business in this town. I have looked all over and that is probably the best piece of property in town. If International Constructors bid is accepted, no local businessmen other than only the wealthy can invest capital and can be involved. If Lloyd Taylor's group is accepted, many local businessmen, insurance companies, small individuals can become a part of downtown and have a nice location and can become a part of their community that is prospering, and I think the purpose of the Redevelopment Commission is just that - -to make the community as members of its community, to be a part of that prosperity, and I think that is an ingredient that should be considered. Mr. Medlock said he is sorry that he is not considered a local businessman, parti- cularly since their very first announcement they went to the Press to indicate that they are interested and were encouraging and including any local businessmen in community for the need of office space in Block 6:' In response to Mrs. Allen's question involving Notre Dame's convention facilities, Commissioner Wiggins replied, "Notre Dame's convention facilities are great and they can handle some very large scale things that the Century Center can in no way compete with. Notre Dame on the other hand, by virtue of the size that ACC has, has little trouble with flexibility with smaller groups. Now, there have been a number of con-