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South <br />Regul <br />Augusi <br />Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />r Meeting <br />19, 1977 <br />7. %O OR DISCUSSION (Continued) <br />The concept was good, the desires were good, and I think Mr. Carmichael <br />was sincere in what he wanted to do, and it was unfortunate that it <br />didn't come off. I think we are facing a different situation here <br />today, because I would hate to feel that we didn't learn by experience <br />tie pitfalls that could occur in the development of this mini -mall. <br />A ' ain I want to re- emphasize 'I am for the progress of the City, and <br />Ido not wish to challenge the concept. It was also true after we <br />got hurt on the "hole" situation, the original north end of the mall, <br />when we tried to create the "SuperBlock" which collapsed too; and I <br />think there are some reasons why it collapsed. It is my desire and <br />reason of being here this morning in hopes that before this commission <br />and the powers that start swinging the chain that we know where we <br />are going and that you know where you are going." <br />"L <br />I <br />ar <br />an <br />is <br />su <br />to <br />of <br />f <br />s <br />re <br />wh <br />of <br />pr <br />Th <br />no <br />pa <br />in <br />fo <br />ni <br />ads <br />to <br />fo <br />pa <br />?t me talk about the competitive factor that this mall will be facing. <br />:an tell you that the whole picture for this downtown and our whole <br />?a will change upon the opening of University Mall. You are adding <br />)ther 100 stores out there, but we haven't added any more people, this <br />not a growing population market. Now, how well can the mini -mall <br />wive if it is created, in face of this additional competition? I <br />)k to be hurt personally in my operation by the creation and opening <br />University Mall- -what chance does this mall strictly on a retailing <br />npetitive basis have for survival and for continuing survival in the <br />Lure? If Sears felt that it was in their best interest to leave the <br />intown, is there sufficient magnitism in this mall to be able to <br />^vive? When you talk of the mini -mall you must talk in terms of <br />.ailing. Most national new ventures go where the people are and <br />?re there are indications that the market will grow. Is this true <br />South Bend? My feelings are, give us the people then put up the mall. <br />original concept Jay, was to create a finance, government, civic and <br />)fessional captive audience to service that audience and add to it. <br />fringe shopping that would accrue on the near west side and the near, <br />•th west side is not existant yet. Another factor comes into point, <br />king is a major factor to all retailing and the national average <br />H cates that you need five and one half parking spaces for every square <br />)t of selling, and if what Mr. Brownell announced to the press the other <br />1ht is true, and we add another department store, will you have <br />!quate parking to serve these people? Another question, is,it is great <br />have three hours of free parking, but the success and the reason <br />the existance of these malls today is the free parking in sufficient <br />king to serve the mall. You could get into a situation with the new <br />11 <br />