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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br /> Regular Meeting—January 24, 2013 <br /> 6. NEW BUSINESS <br /> D. South Side Development Area <br /> (1) continued... <br /> (Michigan-Jefferson) and a providing a new study node at LaSalle Square. The second <br /> component of the project was to complete a grocery saturation study. The purpose of that <br /> study was to identify all grocery locations within the county and then create a thematic map <br /> that showed where there is over- and under-saturation of grocery stores in the county. The <br /> third component of the project was the integration of all past and current data into the <br /> Buxton Scout program, a web based data warehouse with a mapping feature that allows the <br /> user to gather site distance information, create location maps and warehouse retailer <br /> information that is relevant to the site matches of the study nodes. The Scout program <br /> allows the user to complete a variety of new tasks such as a new specific site study, retailer <br /> profiling against a proposed user, and many other search features. This new tool allows us <br /> broader access to all of the Buxton retail clients versus just those that are on the match list. <br /> The Commission and the City of South Bend have been clients of Buxton since 2005. <br /> Buxton has assisted the City of South Bend with retail planning and study and the match <br /> services have yielded specific results on the Ireland Road corridor with Texas Roadhouse <br /> and have provided supplemental data to retailers for other locations. The Scout program <br /> allows more on-the-fly analysis and research and has great application potential for the <br /> downtown and other points of retail study around the city. <br /> The Commission has been under contract with Buxton for the Scout program since 2011 and <br /> staff is seeking funding for calendar year 2013. The total amount of the contract is $15,000. <br /> Staff is requesting to fund this contract from the South Side Development Area TIF budget. <br /> Mr. Downes asked for more detail about the way Scout was used for potential developments <br /> locally. Mr. Schalliol responded that Texas Roadhouse was on the fence about whether to <br /> locate on the south side. The information we provided them from Scout tipped the balance <br /> and they decided to do the project. Also, the Walgreens and CVS that located on Western <br /> Ave. used the information in their analysis. We don't know the extent to which it influenced <br /> them. <br /> Upon a motion by Mr. Downes, seconded by Mr. Varner and unanimously carried, the <br /> Commission approved the Buxton Scout subscription renewal from February 1, 2013 to <br /> January 31, 2014. <br /> E. Northeast Neighborhood Development Area <br /> There was no business in the Northeast Neighborhood Development Area. <br /> 9 <br />