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COMMI.$SIONERS' REGULAR MEETING Page 13 ..... ............................... ... Frid y, November 19, 1976 8. (Open discussion, continued.... if the people really believe it - can accomplish about anything t wants to. This will require a lot of community support. The eople who want to see the downtown as a major retailing center hat it was - perhaps in their youth - are 'whistling Dixie' because here aren't any towns the size of South Bend where it is working his way." e Chair: "Dan, in regard to a positive note to bring people down - wn, one estimate I have seen on the remodelling of the Federal ilding, is that this will put another 250 to 300 people downtown. Nr. Lindstaedt: "One year from now we will be opening the Century Centerand I am wondering what the thinking is on small business in the area — with our convention center, as far as small stores, entertainment etc. are concerned. I have talked to some people who have said ...'well, it's in the evening, we would like to see this but we can't take the bus, we have no transportation, the crime situation, and I can agree with Dan, what he said about the crime situation, these are some of things that are holding up progress, between now and the opening of the Center, a lot of thought has to be given to transportation, police protection and the accomo- dations for these people ". Dan Caesar: John (Lindstaedt), I am not making an analytical comment, I am asking questions in order to solicit comment - I am not making suggestions as to whether they should tear up the streets... ". Mr. Evans: "But these questions are coming out of your own personal attitudes.. ". Mr. Lindstaedt: "I think South Bend is one of the most viable com- munities in the Middle West as far as transportation center is concerned and a retailing center - if you look at a map and try to understand what is going on in Chicago, Gary and Hammond, the de- terioration that is going on there - I think we have everything in the world to be proud of. At least South Bend is showing some progress - the only thing is the negative attitude, not only of the public but of some of the officials." Mr. Wiggins: "As long as merchants are serious about their role to serve the people, as long as we have people we will have merchants ". Mr. Caesar: "Many of the merchants off camera have strong comments, negative comments about the downtown, they will not say it on camera, on camera everything is fine, yes, we believe, but the bottom line is..they firmly believe down in their hearts that, 'hey, things are really bad, nothing is being done, where is the leadership ?"