SM 06-04-79 - Laserfiche WebLink

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South Bend edevelopment Commission Special Mee ping - June 4, 1979 2. OLD BUSMSS (continued) Mr. Grebn continued with his document....... The public at large has paid very little attention to the fact that redevelopment has been used as an instrument for eliminating black business that do not operate up to white standards. To date a total twelve (12) black businesses have fallen under bulldozer, paid far with redevelopment funds. If city officials are allowed to pursue eir present course of action, four (4) additional black businesses will be eliminated. In no instance has the redevelopment program de- molished inadequate facilities housing black businesses and made provision for reconstruction of adequate facilities later. The migratory pattern of South Bend has seen black businesses move from lower Chapin Street, to that section of Chapin between Western and Washing on Avenue, then to the West Washington Street area. With the black business area being so clearly defined, it would appear that the city of South Bend would promote black enterprises in the area. Community Development funds for commercial development should be made available to the black businessman the same as they were made available to bail out the South Bend Lathe operations. In order to keep the South Bend Lathe operation going, the City of South Bend secured from the federal government five million dollars and set up ui Industrial Revolving Fund. The city loaned the South Bend Lathe operation, five million dollars at 3% interest for a period of twenty- ive years. The first three years of the loan required repayment of interest only. Repayment of the principal did not become due until the 3rd year of the loan. Special tax credits were also made available to the South Bend Lathe operation. If black businessmen were given access to the cities Industrial Revolving Fund's 3% interest loans and the tax credit made available for new businesses that the city has interest in, black businessmen would do their own redevelopment. Black redevelopment made reference to is evident when you look at Frankies Barbecue, the Hoover Liquor Stores and Pool Room, the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, the Pilgram Baptist Church and the Neighborhood Grocery. If the redevelopment department has $550,454.00 for redevelopment, this money should also be made available to the black businessmen in the West Washington Street area and throughout the city, who are struggling for survival. Redevelopment should be one of the tools Oat the city of South Bend uses to foster economic growth in the black community. Where are the black businesses? Why aren't some of the fast food service restaurants springing up all over town owned by blacks? When the city of South Bend talks about redevelopment, community development and the revitalization of neighborhoods, why is it that those concepts never translate into positive action for the black community? -5-