Laserfiche WebLink
'Page 2. <br /> support tax abatement for restaurants which would be within a tax abatement <br /> area since they would be in direct competition with those that are located <br /> elsewhere. Councilman Taylor was concerned that the Miami Street area <br /> was not included. Councilman Voorde spoke against retail and commercial <br /> - projects receiving tax abatement. <br /> • Councilman Braboy noted that in Philadelphia they are revitalizing <br /> commercial and industrial areas throughout the City. There is a <br /> particular ei asi.son the revitalizaton of older parts of the City and <br /> and emphasis on technical assistance for small businesses_ She noted that <br /> she brought back several documents explaining their program which she planned <br /> to. review. <br /> Irene Gammon stated that South Bend needs jobs whether they be <br /> industrial, commercial, etc. She thought that the financial value should <br /> ' be carefully reviewed. Councilman Voorde noted that there was a <br /> significant difference between the amount of revenue generated in <br /> commercial jobs versus industrial and manufacturing jobs. <br /> Councilman Beck noted that abatement in Philadelphia is for five years. <br /> She also noted that tax abatement in and of itself deserves a more <br /> positive pitch from the City and that it ,was not the only reason for the <br /> recent drop in assessed valuation. This point was concurred by Jon Hunt. <br /> Councilman Crone questioned whether the department' s proposals <br /> would include tax abatement only for those meeting certain SIC codes or <br /> being located within a tax abatement impact area. She was advised that this <br /> was correct. She then asked what the criteria would be for. determinng <br /> whether a business qualified for tax abatement if it would be within a <br /> geographic area. There was much discussion on this point, however no <br /> consensus was reached. Several Councilmen voiced support of commercial <br /> establishments receiving abatement and others spoke against it. Councilman <br /> Crone thought that the Council must again evaluate what the real purpose of <br /> what tax abatement should be.. <br /> Councilman Braboy asked how much revenue the City has lost through <br /> its ' tax- abatement program and specifically questioned what effect it has <br /> had on the tax base. Mayor Parent noted that this would be difficult to <br /> answer however he believed that many projects would not have gone forward <br /> but for the tax abatement program. <br /> • <br /> Councilman Braboy requested that each Councilman review the maps <br /> and all of the information recently received so that they -could bring <br /> their suggestions to the next committee meeting. Councilman Taylor also <br /> requested that each Councilman; carefully .review all of 'the areas -within <br /> their Councilmanic Districts for possible impact areas., <br /> • <br /> Councilman Beck made a. motion. secondedby • Councilman Taylor that the <br /> meeting be`adjourned. The meeting' was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. <br /> • <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Eugenia Braboy, Chairman <br />