06-08-81 Human Resources & Economic Development

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• Torntn{ttpp Erpart HUMAN RESOURCES AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT I�- • On flit Gunman Council of the Q ttg ui fnutll fiend: • • The June 8, 1981, meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Develop- ment Committee was called to order at 5: 30. p.m. by its Chairman, - Councilman John Voorde,' in the Council informal meeting room.' • • Persons in attendance included: Councilman: McGann, Crone, Taylor, Voorde, and. Dombroski; Citizen members Chris Davey and Marc Brammer, the Petitioners Alex and Gloria Wolvos, Pat McMahon, Jim Wensits, and Kathleen Cekanski= Farrand. • Councilman Voorde announced that the purpose of the .meeting was to discuss the Tax Abatement Petition filed by Alex and Gloria Wolvos for the property located at 332 North Michigan. Councilman Voorde noted that the petition itself was in order. He added that the May 15, 1981, report from the Redevelopment Commission con- •cluded that the area did not qualify as an Urban Development Area, and that the petition was reviewed under the old law. • Pat McMahon explained that the Redevelopment Commission found that the improvements on the land were completed. ' The general area was- not bypassed or undrutilized. A total of $14, 000 worth of :improvements were .made on. ,the .property. Mr. McMahon further emphasized that the Commission did not turn the- petition down because of any timing problems. •The_petitoner, Mr. Wolvos emphasized that he had taken' a distressed piece of property with an abandoned gas station on it, and turned it into a jewelry store. -. He had_ to put in sewers, underground electrical wiring, and many other repairs. He passed out pictures of the property prior to its renovations: Mr. Wolvos was born and raised 'in South Bend and wanted to help revitalize downtown South Bend by establishing an independent jew- elry store. • Mrs. Wolvos added that returning to the South Bend area showed their good faith as small business persons. Five additional jobs were being cre- ated by opening the store. Councilman Crone said she appreciated what the petitioners had done, however she could not vote for tax abatement since it did not meet the guidelines established. She believed that since the project occurred with- out tax abatement, then it did not qualify. Councilman McGann also commended the petitioners for their effort however believed that they failed to meet the "urban blight" criteria. Councilman Voorde empathized with the petitioners however found no tangible evidence that they met the urban blight criteria. Councilman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilman Mc-Gdcm--to recommend the petition unfavorably to Council. The motion passed 4-0. There being no further business, ::the meeting was adjourned at 6 : 05 p.m. , /A[[ PRESS • /VULI[NINO Co.