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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting -June 6, 2008 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />A. South Bend Central Development Area <br />(3) continued... <br />noted that his company is one of the top fifty <br />affordable housing developers in the nation. <br />They have been impressed with the <br />development they have seen in South Bend <br />and with South Bend's pro-development <br />attitude. When Mecca Companies told them <br />about this opportunity in South Bend, they <br />came and saw it, and feel like it is just like <br />what they do: they take old buildings, find a <br />way to reuse them that is financially feasible <br />and great for the community. <br />In the case of the Hotel LaSalle, they propose <br />to redevelop the basement and bottom two <br />floors to commercial uses and amenity space, <br />create office space on the mezzanine, and the <br />top floors would be eight to ten rental units <br />per floor. <br />Mr. Gibney asked what Mr. Hassenflu <br />expected the mix to be between affordable <br />units and market rate. Mr. Hassenflu <br />responded that he thought the project could <br />be done as all market rate apartments. <br />Dr. Varner noted that people who return to <br />the community like to see the landmarks still <br />in place. The LaSalle Hotel marks the north <br />end of the downtown. If at all possible, we <br />want to be able reuse the building rather than <br />tear it down. I think that's very important. <br />Upon a motion by Dr. Varner, seconded by <br />Mr. Blake and unanimously carried the <br />Commission accepted the proposal of <br />Garrison Properties and authorized staff to <br />COMMISSION ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL OF <br />GARRISON PROPERTIES AND AUTHORIZED STAFF <br />TO PREPARE AN OPTION AGREEMENT TO BE <br />CONSIDERED AT A FUTURE MEETING <br />14 <br />