RM 10-03-75 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. .KING PROPOSAL (font' d po al is that the burden for parking be borne by those who benefit most from it, as it is borne by all the other commercial enterprises in the City. He would like to see that the burden on the taxpayer not be spread out throughout the entire community. The cost of rent- ing these lots should be borne by all the downtown tenants who benefit directly from the parking convenience for their customers and clients. Th se would include retail merchants, banks, doctors, lawyers, and of er professional people. The two lots in question that are leased by the Department of Re- development for surface parking are at the southeast corner of Wa ne Street and River Bend Plaza, and at the southwest corner of Washington and River Bend Plaza. They are leased on a 30 -day basis, at a total cost of $2,675.00 per month. In addition, Mr. Slafkosky advised they would ask.that the people who cu rently park in these areas park in the existing parking facilities, su h as the downtown parking garages, which would add income to the re emption of the bond issue and to support these parking garages. Mr. Slafkosky stated he feels this program can be implemented. Ap- pr )ximately 90% of the people who shop in various retail outlets throughout the City have available to them free parking, provided through those merchants, and that he feels that if we can set up a on- profit corporation of the downtown business merchants and the to ants and landlords, that we can provide 350 free parking spaces for the people of South Bend, and that this would be a good way to en ourage people to come into the downtown area. We could hire, through the office of CETA, two, three, or four people (whatever is needed) to man these facilities and to institigate the two- to three - ho r limit of free parking. One other area is that 99% of all down- town merchants and office buildings would be within 600 feet of one of the lots. They are strategically located and would be of benefit to the people of this community. Mr. Slafkosky requested the Redevelopment Commission take his pro - po al under advisement. Pr sident Nimtz advised this parking situation is a very complicated legal situation, because of the existing bond issue. Mr. Kevin J. Butler, Commission Legal Counsel, has made a lengthy study of this at the Chair's direction some months ago, and the Chair is now refer - ri g this proposal to Mr. Butler for consultation with the City At orney who has the main responsibility concerning the outstanding bo d issue on the City parking garages, and to submit their report to the Redevelopment Commission. Th it being no objections from the Commissioners concerning the re- fe ral, the Chair referred the proposal to Legal Counsel for requested action. - 4 -