RM 08-15-97 - Laserfiche WebLink

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South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting - August 15, 1997 block was needed or desired by developers. Mr. Kil distributed two sketches showing how a new office building could be constructed while leaving Mr. Moerlein's building alone. Ms. Schwartz stated she wanted to respond to Steve Moerlein's statement that the action that the Commission possibly will take regarding acquiring that quarter block is improper, illegal, and for a private purpose instead of a public purpose. She stated that since the Commission has no proposed action in front of it, they can't respond with regards to a specific action. But they can respond in saying that the Commission would never knowingly acquire that quarter block improperly, illegally, or for a private purpose instead of a public purpose. In fact, they would carefully avoid doing so. She also noted that the type of challenge Mr. Moerlein brought to the Commission generally, and with no specific proposal or plan in front of the Commission, is a kind of challenge that has been litigated in Indiana and the authority of the Redevelopment Commission to acquire land for future redevelopment has been held to be a public purpose in Indiana. She stated that she was not trying to get into a legal debate with him because that wasn't her position. Ms. Schwartz stated that his concerns and his bringing alternative arrangements forward to the Commission are greatly appreciated. Mr. Moerlein stated that his intention is not as a threat, but that his property is unique to his family and there's nothing else in the area that could replace it. He stated the property next door to Osco was a possibility, but to his understanding that property is being leased out. If his property is pursued for acquisition by Redevelopment he will litigate it. H:\ HOME\ CPHIPPS \WPDATA \COMMSN\081597.MIN -22-