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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 1974
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN
<br />THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND LANDMARK OF
<br />INDIANA, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF REAL
<br />ESTATE IN THE AMOUNT OF $163,000.00 AND
<br />COMMITMENT FOR THE APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATION
<br />OF FUNDS THEREFOR.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Robert Parker, Chief Deputy City Attorney,
<br />made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the proposed ordinance would approve
<br />the connector between Michigan and Main at Marion. He stated that the contract was signed on
<br />June 10, 1974, by the Board of Public Works, for the Turner Hall property, subject to approval by
<br />the Common Council and the appropriation ordinance to finance the purchase. The property has been
<br />appraised and the contract price was in the amount of the appraisals ($160,000) and an additional
<br />$3,000. The city proposed to construct the connector at that location, and the contract provides
<br />for the purchase of the entire tract, and that an option for one year be given to Landmark for
<br />re- purchase of the land that will not be actually used for the connector at the same price sold to
<br />the city. (See unfinished business portion of the meeting for a further explanation of the $3,000.
<br />Mrs. Janet Allen, 125 West Marion, stated that she had asked many times exactly where the connector
<br />would be located and she had never been given a definite answer. She wondered about the cost
<br />involved in the clearance of the Turner Hall building. She also wondered about the additional
<br />$3,000 in the purchase price. She stated that she was opposed to the purchase by the city of the
<br />property. She indicated that the plans at the intersection had been talked about for some time but
<br />the bridge had been relocated to Madison Street, and she felt the connector should also be moved to
<br />Madison. She stated that the city would be responsible to demolish the building at a great expense
<br />and then sell the unused portions back to Landmark at the same price it was purchased by the city.
<br />She did not agree with that. She quoted from a letter written by the City Attorney regarding the
<br />state also holding a public hearing on the location.of the connector. She wondered about this
<br />public hearing and when it would be held, and she felt the administration had "closed its mind" to
<br />the establishment of the connector at another location. She talked about the traffic on Michigan
<br />and Main, construction of the new bypass, cutting down of trees to accommodate the connector, and
<br />the relocation of a new fire station because the trucks would not be able to go east, west or south
<br />She wondered when the public would be told what the plans would be. Mr. Parker stated that the
<br />demolition of the building would be covered under the terms of the contract. The cost of demolitio.
<br />would be pro -rated on the frame building, and the brick building on the land would not have to be
<br />torn down. He talked about extensive development of the land after demolition. Mr. Maurice Cohen,
<br />725 East Eckman Street, indicated that he was pleased to see Mrs. Allen talk against the connector.
<br />He made reference to the connector at Chippewa and Michigan Street on the south side of the city.
<br />He stated that he felt at times the administration does not realize the total cost involved in cer-
<br />tain projects. He also asked about the incorporation of Landmark, Inc. and its members of the
<br />board of directors. Mr. Frank Riedle, President of the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association,
<br />residing at 816 Park Avenue, stated that the association objected to the administration's plan to
<br />construct the connector at Marion Street. The association felt it was undesirable to construct a
<br />major artery with heavy commercial traffic near the Mar -Main Apartments and a residential area. Th
<br />association also felt it was unsound engineering to construct a curve on an uphill grade and close
<br />off Marion Street. He concluded by indicating that even though it would cost somewhat more to
<br />locate the connector farther south, the administration should seriously consider that. Mrs. Allen
<br />stated that the frame building that would have to be demolished occupied at least halflof the land
<br />and it would cost a great deal of money. She stated that she was bothered about the "secretiveness'
<br />in the plans. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, stated that a final
<br />decision has not been made but all indications point to the Marion connector. He stated that a
<br />public hearing has been planned; however, it has not been published as yet. At that time, a defini
<br />recommendation would be made regarding the connector; probably for the Marion intersection. He
<br />stated that the Council was being requested to approve the ordinance in the event the route was
<br />taken because the indications for the area were so great. Mr. John Hipskind, 1063 Woodward Avenue,
<br />asked about the completion of the 31 Bypass, indicating that no mention had been made of the bypass
<br />He felt that many of the large vehicles using Michigan Street could use the new bypass. He wondere
<br />about efforts made to reduce the amount of traffic at the Chippewa connector. Mrs. Allen asked why
<br />so much of the property was needed in order to go at a slight angle. Mr. Farrand stated that the
<br />proposal for Marion Street was based on minimum urban design speeds of 30 m.p.h. By condemning the
<br />property, damages would have to be paid for settlement at a great cost. Mr. Riedle wondered if the
<br />property to the south had been appraised for the possible location of the connector. Mr. Farrand
<br />stated that the appraisal for the southern route was a minimum of $150,000 more. Mrs. Allen could
<br />not understand why the appraisal for the southern location was more because the property was alread
<br />cleared. Mr. Farrand stated that the appraisals were done by a very competent appraiser. He felt
<br />that the appraiser had even under - estimated the property at the northern location. Mr. Roman
<br />Kowalski, 802 Birchwood, felt there was too much wasteful spending in the city, and he was glad to
<br />see the citizens so concerned about a certain project and the cost involved. He talked about some
<br />of the deficiencies in the city that needed action as soon as possible. He felt the matter should
<br />be referred to a committee until a more definite proposal has been submitted to the citizens.
<br />Councilman Serge wondered about the number of appraisers used, and Mr. Farrand stated that three
<br />appraisers were contacted for the specific property. Councilman Taylor stated that the issue has
<br />been made very clear and the arguments were presented very well. He felt there was a question of
<br />environment involved, and he would not support the ordinance. He was of the opinion that the
<br />connector should be farther south, closer to the business district. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered
<br />if there was urgency regarding the ordinance. Mr. Farrand stated that the prospective seller shoul
<br />not be held up. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered what would happen if the seller decided to stay in
<br />the building. Mr. Farrand stated that the city could condemn the building or move the connector to
<br />the south. He talked about the engineering reasons for locating the connector at Marion Street.
<br />Councilman Taylor wondered -if the definite cost was being placed at a quarter of a million dollars.
<br />Mr. Parrand stated that he was "using that figure ". He stated that the appraisers had not appraise
<br />the "remainders ". Councilman Miller asked if the purchase of the funeral home was included in the
<br />appraisal at the southern location, and Mr. Farrand stated that it was. Councilman Miller wondered
<br />why the purchase of the Shrine Club was not also being considered. Mr. Farrand stated that there
<br />was no parking on the Shrine Club lot at the present time. Councilman Miller talked about the
<br />minimum design standards for curbs. He wondered�.if these standards were considered at the Chippewa
<br />intersection because of the right angle there. Mr. Farrand stated that there was a freer turn at
<br />the Chippewa intersection. Councilman Miller agreed with that; however, he supported the concept
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