01-22-62 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMUNICATION Mayor Frank J. Bruggner City Hall South Bend, Indiana Dear Mayor Bruggner: January 20, 1962 The South Bend Urban League and Hering House, Inc., is a social work organization. Our concerns are primarily to improve the conditions under which all minorities (not just Negroes) live and work, always striving to develop a better climate of interracial understanding. We address ourselves to the present matter before Council for decision, which is in effect the "Proposed Eastside Public Housing Development." We believe that a public housing development, so placed, would not be in the best interest of that community, specifically, and the City of South Bend as a whole, for the following reasons: 1. That this selected site represents the only Class "A" Residential Section of the city where Negro homes have been constructed in the $10,000.00- $50,000.00 price range. 2. That public housing per se is not desirable by all minority group people in search of better housing. 3. That there are many families who now reside in the area designated for blight removal who are not desirous of moving to the:Eastside. One of their reasons being that there is a nostalgic attachment by them for the present neighborhood where they have spent many enjoyable; years, some since childhood. 4. If it is the primary aim of you gentlemen to give a face - lifting to the city of South Bend, then why not take a look at some of the existing structures in all sections of the city where there are delapidated houses, stores, etc., which do not lend beauty. Why not purchase these properties and place a development on those sites? Further before setting forth an alternate proposal for your consideration, we should like it to be known that Negro people in general are not interested in living in a neighborhood because it is all white or predominantly so, but are desirous of the kind of housing for their families which is only found, generally speaking, in such areas as aforementioned. We present the argument for new, private home construction on the proposed slum clearance site: The land involved is about 26 acres bounded east by Scott Street, south by the New York Central Railroad, west by Laurel Street, and north by Western Avenue. These individual family units should be rental property with option to buy. We believe that with such permanent -like, attractive, individual homes constructed, some of the sterotype notions held by white people about the lowering of property values by Negroes where they live would be dispelled. It is also out belief that this housing would appeal to white people alike who need good substantial housing regardless of its location. We base our assumption on the many good experiences we've heard the white occupants in the Plaza Apartments and Public Housing Development speak about. We have absolutely no objection to increased housing facilities for Senior Citizens in this area. In conclusion, gentlement, we implore you, (1) to not place increased public housing in the present proposed re- development areas, (2) to not include in this development area C -2 commercial -type constructionw Sir, this letter is designed to give you our thinking prior to our presentation at your Council session on Monday, January 22, 1962. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely yours, /s/ Wm. J. Brown William J. Brown Executive Director WJB:nw Councilman Lehman made a motion that the Communication be accepted and placed on file. Councilman Muszynski the motion. Motion carried. PETITIONS Petition to annex 9.99 acres of land (Police Pistol Range). Councilman Glass made a motion that the petition be referred to the City Planning Commission. Councilman Lehman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Petition to annex 192 acres of land (County Home and County Garage). Councilman Lehman made a motion that the petition be referred to the City Planning Commission. Councilman Glass seconded the motion. Motion carried. Petition to annex 2 acres of land fronting on Edison Road east of Ironwood. Councilman Lehman made a motion that II the petition be referred to the City Planning Commission. Councilman Muszynski seconded the motion. Motion carried.1 Petition to annex 114 acres of land - Maple Road and Lathrop. Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the petition be referred to the City - Planning Commission. Councilman Lehman seconded the motion. Motion carried. COUNCIL REPORT To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: Your Committee on Urban Redevelopment and Housing to whom was referred the proposed land re -use of the Chapin Street Project area, Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and would recommend to the Council as favorable the plan in which the Commercial re -use area will occupy the Western two thirds of the frontage on Western Avenue between Chapin and Scott Streets. /s/ Chester Muszynski, Chairman Councilman Allen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Lehman, to reject the report. Motion carried.