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tmitinittet deport <br /> u ii ors <br /> an4 Vroperty Vacation (Committcz <br /> The January 13,2003 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to <br /> order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:13 p.m. in the Council Informal <br /> Meeting Room. <br /> Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Kirsits, White, Coleman, Aranowski, <br /> King, Kelly,Kuspa and Pfeifer; Community and Economic Development Executive Director Jon <br /> R. Hunt, Public Works Director Gary Gilot,William Schalliol, Bernie Feeney, Robert Case,Terry <br /> Bland of the fpouthj GriLune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. <br /> Council Member Varner noted that the Committee members for this year included Council <br /> Members King, Aranowski,Kirsits and himself. <br /> Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on Bill No. 101-02 which is a vacation request for the <br /> first east-west alley south of Jefferson Boulevard between Main Street and Lafayette Street, and the <br /> first north-south alley west of Main Street running between Jefferson Boulevard to the south right- <br />' of-way line of the first east-west alley south of Jefferson Boulevard. Dr. Varner noted that he had <br /> not received a recommendation from the Board of Public Works; and the Council Attorney <br /> confirmed that no written recommendation was filed with the City Clerk or the Council. <br /> Bernie Feeney made the presentation. He read a copy of a facsimile dated December 5, 2002 from <br /> the Department of Public Works which voiced concern over the creation of a dead-end alley and <br /> which stated that cross easements would be required. Mr. Feeney stated that the vacation would <br /> benefit development in that area. Plans have been developed by the Troyer Group and they are <br /> planning the file a plat with Area Plan which would be heard in February. <br /> Mr. William Schalliol showed a conceptual drawing of the proposed development. <br /> Dr. Varner asked for confirmation of the color coding noting that he believes that the yellow areas <br /> would be the areas which would remain open, the green areas are those which are proposed to be <br /> vacated and the red areas reflect the dead-end area. <br /> Dr. Varner then opened the meeting to public comment. <br /> Jon R. Hunt spoke if favor of the proposal. He stated that the cross easement would address the <br /> concern raised with regard to the policy against the creation of dead-end alleys, and that that <br /> requirement would be set forth in the bid documents;that the vacation would create development of <br /> the parcels and that they meet the needs of long-term development in the downtown. He noted that <br /> o <br /> 109 parking spaces are controlled by 1st Source. <br /> Mr. John Phair of Holladay Property Services, Inc. spoke against the ordinance. He noted that he <br /> was notified of the proposed vacation on January 3, 2003 and that his company's corporate <br /> headquarters is adjacent to the area in question. He noted that forty percent(40 %) of his parking <br /> would be lost.and that he would loose access. Last Wednesday, January 7, 2003, his company <br /> took counts of vehicles using the alleys in question. From 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. there were 650 <br /> cars which used the alleys, making it one of the busiest alleys in the city. He stated that the <br /> proposed 18' easement he considers a"poke in the eye". He further noted that nationally there is a <br /> 20% office vacancy with rental amounts down 2-5%. Of the Hollady properties there is a 30% <br /> vacancy at One Michiana Square and there was 15% less rent thru 2000. The Leighton Plaza has a <br />