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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting — November 10, 2014 <br />report we provide to South Bend Common Council. So we do multiple annual reports every <br />year already. The state just concluded a 1,600 page study, which is exhaustive in its scope, <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />A. Public Hearings <br />(5) continued... <br />that includes St. Joseph County and includes a lot of information. We believe very much ... I <br />agree with your point that there's concern about apathy and the best way to address apathy is <br />action. So what we're asking for today is action: action to move forward, action to continue <br />to move forward on these improvements and enable us to fund future improvements in these <br />neighborhoods. Just a comment about traffic - -- traffic doesn't bring commerce, people bring <br />commerce. Commerce exists between people. Traffic oftentimes can choke commerce. <br />Right now the traffic counts on Western and Lincolnway hover around 15,000 per day. The <br />threshold for a four -lane road is about 25,000 to 20,000. So we're considerably under <br />capacity as it is. Statistically those areas where there is parallel parking, that equates to <br />anywhere from $150,000 to $300,000 in additional retail sales. So we feel very confident <br />that these improvements will help. Again, we appreciate and want to echo his comment that <br />we want to move away from apathy to action. <br />Mr. Davis: Scott, before you sit down. You said St. Joseph County, I keep saying South <br />Bend. I'm specific when I say South Bend. I say South Bend because I mean South Bend. <br />I don't want St. Joseph County, I don't want Mishawaka. South Bend. And now I'm more <br />specific, I'm talking about west of the river, South Bend. I'm talking about Western <br />Avenue, I'm talking about Lincolnway West, where the bulk of the population of South <br />Bend lives. My question, again, is why can't we nail down some time to figure out what's <br />best for South Bend. Not, St. Joseph County, not Granger, not Mishawaka, but South Bend. <br />I keep hearing St. Joseph County, St. Joseph County. 1,600 pages, St. Joseph County. I'm <br />not interested in St. Joseph County. I'm interested in South Bend. <br />Mr. Ford: If you get a chance to look at the report, it actually talks about South Bend, <br />specifically. And, if you get a chance to read the report, it was submitted to the Council, to <br />the state and every year's redevelopment budget. It's exhaustive in terms of the information <br />it provides. <br />Mr. Davis: That's not what I'm asking, but thank you. <br />Mr. Buggs: Let me just say one thing. South Bend in that area has been grossly <br />underserved. It is very important to move forward to recreate and revitalize that area. I <br />appreciate what you are saying, Councilman. Here's the way you move forward with the <br />plan and actively steer and guide how it's going to be developed. If we stall, we will <br />continue to be in the same situation that we're in. This has been going on for decades. <br />However, we need to put forth, you have to collaborate. Your plan, Mr. Davis's plan, come <br />together and figure out how to steer this so that it is in the best interest of the citizens in that <br />28 <br />