06-08-09 Community and Economic Development Committee

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CED June 8, 2009 Page 3 Council Member Rouse made.a motion, seconded by Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., that Bill Nos. 09-41 and 09-42 be sent to the Council without recommendation. The motion passed. Bill No. 09-40 Request to Approve an Order of the Area Plan Commission, a Redevelopment Commission Declaratory Resolution and Amendment to the West Washington-Chapin Development Area Development Plan: Economic Development Planner Bill Schalliol made the formal presentation. He noted that at the May 26, 2009 Common Council meeting when Bill No. 09-40 was initially heard by the Council, and then continued until today. The Council requested that two (2) primary concerns be addressed, namely whether there was support from the neighborhood for the proposed joint venture between the city and the University of Notre Dame for the former Hansel Center to be rehabilitated so that it could house the Notre Dame Center for Art and Culture; and sought more information on the Redevelopment Commission's investment for the proposed project. Mr. Schalliol stated that the Near West Side Neighborhood Organization passed a resolution in support of the renovation and reuse of the Hansel Center on May 26, 2009, the same date as the last Common Council meeting. In his June 3, 20091etter to Council President Dieter he attached a June 2, 2009 letter from Catherine D. Hostetler, Director of the Historic Preservation Commission supporting the project (copy attached). He also attached a copy of the resolution from the Near West Side Neighborhood Organization to his June 3`d communication (copy attached). Mr. Schalliol noted that several members of the public are now present at this committee meeting who support the project. Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., the District Council Member for the area in question, stated that he never got a meeting about the neighborhood organization meeting. He asked why he was not invited. Mr. Schalliol stated that there must have been a lapse in communication. Council Member Rouse then stated that he would take limited public comment in light of the time, since there is another Bill scheduled for hearing and that the Committee is also scheduled to have a presentation on High Performance Government (HPG) Network who have travelled from Fort Wayne to give that presentation.