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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting -March 28, 2008 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />H. Douglas Road Economic Development Area <br />There was no business in the Douglas Road <br />Economic Development Area. <br />L Ratification of Service Contracts <br />There were no Service Contracts to be ratified. <br />7. PROGRESS REPORTS <br />Pamela Meyer noted that after the Urban Enterprise PROGRESS REroxTs <br />Association submitted its report to the Commission on <br />the Facade Grant Programs it runs for three commercial <br />corridors, the Commission was interested in more <br />information on the effects of the program. She <br />introduced Chris Dressel and Michael Divita to give <br />reports on the impact of the Facade Grant Programs on <br />Main/Michigan, Mishawaka, Miami and Western. <br />Mr. Divita reported on the facade program's <br />effectiveness along the Miami corridor. Since 2002, 23 <br />matching grant projects have been completed on Miami <br />St. That amounts to a pretty good concentration, since <br />the Miami corridor is fairly small. Approximately every <br />second or third business has taken advantage of the <br />program. The convenience store owner claims he has <br />seen an increase in business since improving the facade. <br />Additionally, there have been several good comments <br />about the improved appearance along Miami St. Over <br />the last five years virtually all of the improvements have <br />used the Facade Grant Program. Many businesses have <br />said they would not have been able to do the <br />improvements without the program. <br />Mr. Dressel reported on the facade program's <br />effectiveness on Mishawaka Ave. The percentage of <br />participation has not been as high since Mishawaka <br />corridor is a longer corridor. The program has been in <br />existence on the corridor for six years and is well <br />29 <br />