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South BendlRedevelopment Commission <br />Regular Me ting - February 15, 1980 <br />7. PROGRESS REPORTS <br />a. Mr.I Brademas continues... <br />We have previously documented the economic <br />feasibility of rehabilitating the building <br />with our architects and engineers, and we <br />have previously documented to the Commission <br />th fact that we have arranged the financing <br />for the project. We believe now that we have <br />documented the very strong market for the <br />space being made available and that there <br />could be no reason for any continued delay <br />in permitting us to proceed. Recent state- <br />ments to the news media suggest that potential <br />developers of Century Mall may not find the <br />exterior teracutta facade of the Odd Fellows <br />Building to their liking, As one who has been <br />trained in the field of architecture and urban <br />design, such an idea that the building surrounding <br />thE proposed Century Mall must be in keeping with <br />thE mall design is nonsense. The essence of an <br />exciting urban fabric is diversity which is <br />evident in all dynamic cities and their centers. <br />Ap arently, those individuals, whomever they <br />may be who are now suggesting a need to coordinate <br />thE Century Mall with surrounding area, would have <br />us relate to the dirty brown building blocks of <br />thE new hamburger stand at Jefferson and Main, <br />or.possibly these architectural critics believe <br />thE eloquence of the aluminum and glass County- <br />City building should be emulated or possibly <br />the white painted concrete block building <br />constructed in the downtown area in recent years <br />should be the motif to be followed. We completely <br />reject this non - thinking. As experienced <br />architects, urban designers, and developers we <br />believe we know our business. We are ready to <br />fully cooperate with the Redevelopment Commission; <br />we are frankly growing a little tired of these <br />t Tes of negative comments by persons who <br />obviously don't know what they are talking about. <br />I hope to end on a positive note, that the <br />Od Fellows Building is in great demand. <br />Mr. Nimtz: Thank you. The Chair might add <br />that we have had other inquiries concerning <br />thE Odd Fellows Building, as has the Mayor; <br />however, the Chair has not yet met with the <br />Mayor in the past ten days so I have no <br />V they word ... as you recall we delayed this <br />jision per the Mayor's request, <br />