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South Bend Commission Regular mee �edevelopment ing - December 4, 1981 9. NEXT COPJMISSION MEETING (continued) Mr. Butler: John, I think also you mentioned the Kresge Buildinc and the Oliver Building. Now both of those were demolis ed under private ownership, the private sector had an opportunity in those two cases. Mr. McMahon: I would like to note that the condition that the Odd Fellows Building is in did not all happen in two years. The building continued to deteriorate and the pri- vate ownership found that they were not in the position to affect he repair. Now that's not true on every building in the entury Mall Block. Certainly the Sherland Building is an a ample of just exactly the opposite. The Commission has nev r had an intention, I believe, of just acquiring . everything down there for the sake of demolishing it. What we have acquired and demolished are those buildings that have deteriorated after they have not been addressed through that pr vate enterprise system. There are two classic ex- amples of one going one way and one going the other way. Hr. But er: The old American Bank Building, American PJationa Bank Building, is another example similar to the Sherlan . It's an island out there, it has been maintained by its' owners. i1r. Voo de: I have tried to temper my comments. I have tried not to get too emotional because admittedly I can't presuppose or be so presumptious as to think that I can see things more clearly than you who have put all the work in on it. But, nonetheless, right now I feel disappointed. Flr. Butler: John, one thing that has not been said in respons to Tom's criticism of the staff, good faith and compete ice. This staff, I think the amount of time spent, is ampl evidence of the good faith effort to save that buildin With respect to competence, the staff does not need an kudos from me or really anybody else, but that's a broke record. Tom says that... Mr. Nim z: Tom is a good debater. You were there the other n'ght when he said the place for the bus company is the old South Shore Line. Now he's changed his tune. Mr. Voo de: If that were the case, my mother would never be able to take public transportation because she couldn't stand t e three block walk to shop at Robertson's. Mr. Nim z: I don't know if I mentioned the other night or not, but in the public hearing we had concerning some more blight iere, I am sorry to say Janet Allen said the place is the ld Union Depot for the bus. You know, this is how some pe ple think. Why you would kill off the merchants. 3 e.