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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-12 A Better Fellows Street Corridor Sought by CouncilPKk� ---* --* NEWS RELEASE < �- Date: Thursday, July 12, 2012 From: 2 District Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. Contact: 315 -4112 "A Better Fellows Street Corridor Sought by Council" On July 2, 2012, a Community & Economic Development Committee was held in the Council Chambers on the Fellows Street Corridor Project. Our new City Engineer Mike Meacham made a presentation to approximately forty (40) residents from the proposed area in attendance, as well as to the Council Members and news media who were present Today, the Board of Public Works, the Redevelopment Commission, our Mayor our City Engineer and our Economic Development staff person are being sent the attached letter signed by more than a majority of our City Council. Although the City Council does not have a direct level of responsibility on the proposed project, it does have the opportunity to be a strong and vital voice for the residents of our city. We are making the following requests: 1. That alternate routes and options be developed in a timely manner which are respectful to the residents currently living in the Fellows Street area; and 2. That such alternate routes be developed in such a way that the law abiding residents along Fellow Street who pay taxes would not have their homes taken and therefore result in a significant loss of the tax base, as well having a negative impact on the values of the homes which are left behind. While viewing vistas to our golf course and bike paths are important, such items should not be a priority over the rights of our residents who wish to live in their homes. I have no doubt that creative Engineering plans can be developed which properly addressing traffic which will be entering and exiting new interchanges. The City of South Bead has had and continues to have distinguished & experienced Iicensed Professional Engineers who use their expertise to balance the concerns we are highlighted. We are therefore challenging the Department of Public Works and the Redevelopment Commission to do better. It is unfair for the residents who may be potentially affected to be in limbo. We hope that amicably solutions can be forthcoming no later than August 31, 2012. Thank you. a T11 Common Council x 1855 441 County -City Building . 227W. Jefferson Blvd South Bernd, Indiana 46601 -1830 Derek D. Dieter President Oliver J. Davis Date: July 12, 2012 Vice - President Karen L. White To: Board of Public Works Chairperson, Committee South Bend Redevelopment Commission of the Whole Mayor Pete Buttigieg Tim Scott City Engineer Mike Meacham First District Bill Sehalliol, Division of Economic Development (574) 235 -9321 Fax (574) 235 -9173 http://www.-southbendin.go-v Henry Davis, Jr. Prom: The Undersigned Member o the South Bend Common Council Second District $ f Valerie Schey Re: Fellows Street Corridor Project Third District We, the undersigned Members of the South Bend Common Council, hereby formally Fred Ferlic petition you to diligently do the following: Fourth District David Varner —> Develop alternate routes and options which are respectful to the Fifth District residents currently Iiving in the Fellows Street area; and Oliver J. Davis Sixth District Develop alternate routes in such a way that the law abiding residents along Fellow Street who pay taxes will not have their homes taken Derek. D. Dieter and which would result in a significant loss of the tax base, as well having a At Large negative impact on the values of the homes which are left behind. Gavin Ferlic There are multiple funding sources on currently on the table for this project. We At Large believe that this strong residential neighborhood should not be so negatively impacted Karen L. White by the bellows Street Corridor as currently proposed, that it may be the source of At Large another part of our city beginning to go down the path of becoming a problem neighborhood. We are confident that alterative plans can be engineered and call upon each of you to aim higher and keep the best interests of our residents and City paramount. We are enclosing a copy of the minutes from the July 2, 2012 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee for your review. Thank you.