Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – October 10, 2024 <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />Commission for approval for staff to enter into direct negotiations with <br />Stoic and draft a purchase agreement. The large parking lot will not be <br />part of this transaction and would also be available for redevelopment <br />with another developer in the future. <br /> <br />Commissioner Eli Wax asked about the other submissions and Mr. <br />Molnar stated that the two top submissions met all of the requirements. <br />He explained that Unity’s proposal was residential development that <br />would encompass both this property and the parking lots as well as <br />another property not included in the proposal. <br /> <br />Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment, noted that <br />approval from the Commission would not create a formal obligation <br />from the Commission, and should the Commissioner’s authorization, <br />we would then enter into more detailed negotiations for a purchase <br />agreement. <br /> <br />Commissioner David Relos expressed concerns about the earlier <br />issues with the site plans, parking requirements and drive lanes for the <br />location when prior development had been considered. Mr. Molnar <br />explained that that is no longer an issue and staff would work with <br />Zoning. Commissioner Wax asked about specific plans regarding <br />future parking needs and Mr. Bauer stated that there are ongoing <br />downtown plans that involve analysis from Walker Parking projecting <br />out as we see new residential units coming online, and potentially new <br />restaurant retail businesses, for the next 20 years. He explained that <br />50% of parking spaces are used during peak hours now. Mr. Wax <br />asked about the closest parking garage and Mr. Molar noted that it <br />would be addressed with the next agenda item. <br /> <br />Tiernan Kane, the Unity representative, commented that they would <br />like to create a unified community space and if the distillery was on the <br />corner against the Ivy, that would be a more natural fit to advance <br />investors in developing the property and possibly move the distillery to <br />a permanent location. He hopes the Commission can take this <br />suggestion into consideration. <br /> <br />Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Vivian Sallie, the <br />motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the staff <br />recommendation as presented on October 10, 2024. <br /> <br />2. Budget Request (Parking Garage Equipment) <br /> <br />Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, <br />presented a budget request for $120,000 to convert the parking garage <br />at the intersection of Main St. and Wayne St. from a private to a public