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South Bendedevelopment Commission Special Meeting - June 4, 1979 Z. OLD BUSINESS (Continued) Mr. Green continued with his document........ The Merry Avenue redevelopment project added four Black businesses to the list of businesses closed by redevelopment efforts; Willie Mayfiel 's Tavern, Kelly Williams "Shorty Papa's Tavern, Scott's Liquor Store and John Warfield's Barber Shop. In addition to putting these businesses out of commission, redevelopment efforts severly affected the businesses operated by Schoby's Grocery Store and Lee Ferguson's laundro at, both located on the north side of West Washington Street, across from the Merry Avenue Project. Area residents speculated that the city of South Bend spent a million dollars in federal funds to eliminate one black business, "Shorty Papa's ". Shorty Papa's was a "greasy spoon" type restaurant, frequen ed by a rough crowd. The restaurant received a great deal of publ'city due to the number of disturbances occurring at the tavern. Onl one of the four businesses closed during the Merry Avenue clearan e, attempted to reopen. Scott's Liquor Store, a business grossiny better than $100,000.00, moved to Western Avenue, where the own r virtually "lost his shirt ". This resulted in the owner's early death. Shorty Papa, the object of the redevelopment effort, died an early death shortly after giving up his business. Whe the Chapin Street project was completed and the Industrial Park w established, not one black businessman returning to the area. When the Merry Avenue Project was completed, several blacks made overtures to the city reference establishing businesses on the vacated property. One proposal was for the establishment of the day care center that would house 300 students and employ some 45 persons, most of whom would come from the neighborhood. The city of South Bend did not lend its sup tort to that project but rather chose to sell the land to a white business interest. The city of South Bend is now establishing a fourth redevelopment district along West Washington Street, from Maple to Olive. Once again the citir is talking about improving the neighborhood at the risk of elim- inating four black businesses. In order to provide Slutsky -Peitz Plumbing Company with adequate land for expansion, the city would raze buildings occupied by Bunk & Bea's restaurant, a sanwich shop owned by the same family, S $ J Lounge and a pool room owned by Little Johnny. City officials justified their redevelopment effort with the rationalization that th s will clear up gambling and illicit drugs, which is supposedly readily available in the area. 4-