06-28-04 Public Works & Property Vacation

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t t Public Works and Property Vacation Committee The June 28,2004 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member David Varner at 3:05 pm in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Kelly,Puzzello,Varner, Kuspa, and White; City Clerk John Voorde,Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Doug Marsh, Jason Dunn, City Engineer Carl Littrell,Jack Dillon,Community&Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall,Ray Garbaciak,Mr. Lindley, Terry Bland of the c_S'out/z L End adu z,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Dr. Varner noted that a quorum of the Committee does not exist in light of the absence of Council Members Coleman and Kirsits,however the Committee would meet to receive information. He further noted that in light of the fact that City Controller Rick 011ett was out of town,that the Information and Technology Committee scheduled for 3:40 pm would not take place and would be rescheduled to July 12th. As a result the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee could meet until 4:10 pm today. Dr. Varner stated that the committee would begin by being updated on environmental mandates. Public Works Director Gary Gilot noted that the relocation of Juniper Road will have some effects on the city. He then introduced Doug Marsh who made a presentation. Mr. Marsh of DLZ then presented a map of the area near the University of Notre Dame(copy attached). He noted that soon the Common Council would be receiving information on a request to vacate from Barnes&Thornburg on behalf of the University. The Council Attorney noted that she received a courtesy copy of the ordinance and provided copies of it to the Council. The vacation would permit Edison Road to be realigned with the properties affected being owned by the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University. The realignment would go through the Notre Dame woods. The purposes of the relocation proposal is to solve the pedestrian unfriendly situation currently in place. It is hoped that the relocation would spur development along Eddy of commercial and mixed use types. The Redevelopment Commission approved the overall plan last December and the NNRO is in favor of the development. Mr. Marsh stated that the relocation would also create a foreground for the Center for Performing Arts building which will have five performing venues. He noted that the University owns most of the homes in the area. In response to a question from Council Member Pfeifer whether there would be homes on the market,Mr. Marsh stated that South Bend Heritage is the leasing agency for the NNRO. There are thirty(30)properties involved which will have investments of$90,000 to$120,000 each.