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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT APRIL 8, 2019 3:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Gavin Ferlic, Regina Williams-Preston, Sharon L.
McBride, Kyle Copelin(citizen member), Sara Boukdad
(citizen member), Oliver Davis (late)
Committee Members Absent: None
Other Council Present: Tim Scott,Jo M. Broden, John Voorde, Karen White
Other Council Absent: Jake Teshka
Others Present: Graham Sparks, Bob Palmer
Presenters: Dan Buckenmeyer, Troy Wade, Michael Hall, Tim
Blockey, John Hopkins, Mike Williams, Angelina Billo,
Jeff Smoke, Paul Phair
Agenda: Bill No. 19-18- Molding Products Designating Personal
Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-20- Chase Plastics Designating Personal
Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-22- Hopkins Properties Designating Real
Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-24- CBK Land Development Designating Real
Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-26- Catalyst Three Designating Real Property
Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-28- GLC Portage Prairie IV Designating Real
Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-30- 31 Nimtz Land Designating Real Property
Tax Abatement
Committee Chair Gavin Ferlic called to order the Community Investment Committee meeting at
3:30 p.m. He introduced members of the Committee and proceeded to give the floor to the
presenters.
Bill No. 19-18- Molding Products Designating Personal Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-20- Chase Plastics Designating Personal Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-22- Hopkins Properties Designating Real Property Tax Abatement
INTEGRITY' SERVICE' ACCESSIBILITY
JENNIFER M.COFF iAN BIANCA L.TIRADO JOSEPH R.MOLNAR
CHIEF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Bill No. 19-24- CBK Land Development Designating Real Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-26- Catalyst Three Designating Real Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-28- GLC Portage Prairie IV Designating Real Property Tax Abatement
Bill No. 19-30- 31 Nimtz Land Designating Real Property Tax Abatement
Dan Buckenmeyer, Director of Business Development for the Department of Community
Investment with offices located on the 14th floor of the County-City Building, stated, I'm here with
an exciting afternoon. We have, as you are fully aware, several tax abatements. Seven (7) to be
exact, that makes eight(8) for this year. We did only six (6) in the entirety of last year. You know,
it is exciting though. Right now, we are looking at a room filled with folks who are investing over
$60 million in our community. Most of it over the next year to eighteen (18) months. All of these
projects, some of these we've been talking about for five (5) years, some of this stuff we've been
talking about for five (5)months, or five(5) weeks maybe. But all of them are very meaningful in
their own way to the community. Again, there's sometimes a tendency to say, oh my gosh, we're
giving away. We're not giving away. Tax abatements are pure upside. The fact is that the current
tax year value, and here are seven that we'll go through, but the current tax value on these, of the
properties that we're talking about, is only $150,000 a year (referencing a slide in a presentation
which is available in the City Clerk's Office).
He continued, Our estimate, of course, and we always have to work in estimates, we don't know
exactly what's going to happen in the Assessor's Office, but our estimates suggest that, when all
of these roll off and when we have phased in all of the taxes, all of these projects, that yearly
number on these same properties will look more like about$1.3 million annually. So, really mark
improvements to the tax rolls. Again,current assessed value is$6.7 million. We're seeing over$60
million in investment. Add to that the one (1) other tax abatement we made, and the fact that one
of our partners here that we're asking for support for in a personal tax abatement, also made a $5
million real property investment already that we are not abating,but, if we add that,we're looking
closer to upwards of$70 million in investment for this time period.
He went on, In terms of jobs, six hundred and six (606) jobs will be retained. One (1) very
important deal will be the bulk of those and we'll talk about that as we go along. The other number
I want to talk about for a second, and we'll get in to in more detail, sixty-two (62) new jobs,which
feels pretty low, and we admit that up front. That's because we've got two (2) exciting projects that
are spec buildings, so, we only look for this number as direct jobs. So, the person or entity getting
the abatement is going to directly employ folks. In this case, we've got two (2) entities that will
build buildings and lease them out, but, I'll get into that later, we've got a great track record on
spec buildings and are thrilled to have more coming up in town. We often look at these, even
though our abatements that we're going to look at, they're a couple of five(5) years, six(6), seven
(7), eight(8)years,the longest is an eight(8) year abatement. In order to do our own computations
and just look at them over a full landscape, we look out for a decade, and if you look out for that
decade,the taxes paid during those ten(10) years, so,that is any increase as they phase in and then
those last two (2) years, if you will, at full, will be $7 million added to the tax rolls, again, that
would not have been there without these projects.
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)CITYOFSOUTHBEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK
He continued,You can see kind of where the projects are dotted if you look at the map(referencing
a slide in the presentation. Not real surprisingly, Ignition Park, up Sample Street, I have included
Grace Steel on there,who,again,we did earlier this year,and then a few up in our logistics corridor
there. So, any questions before I start jumping in to these specifically? I'll get you what I'm looking
at, and I apologize for that, I thought that was going be here. In any event, this slide just simply
shows your private investment. So, again,looking at each project,it takes us up to that$60 million
plus in private investment. That's going happen, again, we anticipate in a very rapid time frame in
the next year to eighteen (18) months. Additionally, we do have a view or chart of the taxes. So,
again, I talk about that $150,000 or $147,000 per year that those properties have as a tax base
today. Where they're going to start rolling on, by year seven (7) we're going to surpass $1 million
a year as these are phasing in, and then, year eight(8),nine(9), ten(10), they come to fruition and
will be paying the full tax amount.
He went on, So, we'll start with Molding Products. Troy and Tim are here from the company to
help me make sure I don't make any mistakes. I was really thrilled to meet these guys and learn a
little about the company.The company has been here for over forty(40)years. They make,in very
simple terms, sheet plastic which then goes out as raw material to companies that press it into
various shapes, sizes and products. Everything from bathtubs to my favorite Corvette body panels.
So, here we've got this company right in our backyard doing some amazing things. This is who I
mentioned, they already have done a $5 million real property investment and built the building
that all of their capital equipment, that will double production, will go into. That is another $5
million that they've asked for assistance with in the form of a personal property tax abatement.The
max on that as a standard is five (5) years. They will, by doing this, again, I've already said, but,
they will double the production, retain forty(40)jobs, add twenty(20) new jobs, and the average
wage is eighteen dollars per hour ($18/hour). So, the request is for support of a personal property
tax abatement for Molding Products. The full amount abated is $52,331. In that same period of
time, they will still continue to pay taxes on all of their other equipment. So, they'll be paying
throughout those years $687,630 on existing new equipment as a base.
Committee Chair Ferlic opened the floor to questions from Committee and Council Members.
Committeemember Kyle Copelin asked, Are the twenty (20) new jobs full time, or is there a
temporary measure?
Troy Wade, 1545 South Olive Street, replied, I'm the Vice President and General Manager of
Molding Plastics LLC. A lot of them are salaried, fifteen(15) are hourly.
Mr. Buckenmeyer continued, Alright,Bill No. 19-20 is Chase Plastic Services, so we'll see two(2)
here for the same facility. This one (1) is the personal property tax abatement. So, Chase Plastics
was an early entrant into Portage Prairie. They've been there, and this is a primary distribution
center for their business that is located in Clarkston, Michigan. Great location, as we know, we
provide for central in terms of logistics and shipping and warehousing and so on. They are doing
so well that they need to expand by roughly a third(1/3). In terms of that investment they're going
to be doing, well, it is an $823,000 project. They are another company in plastics, but they
specialize in pellets. So, they warehouse and sell plastic pellets to folks who mold them into end
products. They sometimes blend them for color or certain elements of plastics. I'll leave it at that
before I get over my skis,which I already am. Nineteen(19)retained jobs and will add twelve(12)
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
new jobs as they add that warehouse space. They have a good wage and a great history. I've been
out there a few times. They've got some employees that have been around for a long time. It is a
great work environment and there are some great people there. Michael Hall is here, and he runs
the South Bend facility if you have any questions.
He went on, Before you ask, I'll jump into the other side of this in terms of, again, we do personal
property tax abatements on capital equipment, we are supporting them additionally with a real
property tax abatement on that actual expansion,the building itself. It is a$3.5 million investment.
80,000 square feet of additional docks and so on. This represents their investment there. So, the
building expansion,the total taxes paid on the personal property will be about$32,000. Total taxes
paid on the building will be about $118,000. The abated amounts, for the real property is about
$470,000 and for the personal property it is about $25,980.
Committee Chair Ferlic opened the floor to questions from the Committee and Council Members.
Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I just need to make this announcement and I will do it again
tonight. The company I work for, GEC, Chase Plastics is a supplier to us. I am the Director of
Material Management. All purchasing falls under my department. While I don't benefit directly
from any business that we do, I will abstain from voting on this tonight,just to avoid any type of
conflict. I will say, Chase Plastics is an incredible supplier and a very good business. We do full
blown IATF,which stands for the International Standard for Automotive audits, on them and they
pass with flying colors. I've been to this facility and it is an excellent facility. They have good
employees too.
Michael Hall, 5245 Dylan Drive, replied, Thank you for the support. We've been in this building
for three (3) or four(4) years and this is a great opportunity.
Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Several of these abatements are related to improvements on
leased properties. Could you address that in terms of ownership, status and that improvement?
Who does it connect to or accrue to, you know?
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, I'll try to answer that, but I'll say each situation is different. In this
situation, the reason we have two (2) abatements with two (2) separate entities, the personal
property is for Chase Plastic Service and a separate LLC, in this case CBK Land Development, is
created to own the land. The real property tax abatement benefits the land owner, in this case it is
another branch of the same company, in other cases it is a developer or a completely separate
entity.
Councilmember Broden followed up, Then with regard to the new hires, that is tracked over to
2030 as a total of thirteen(13), and there are a lot of variable wages on that. I just wonder,in terms
of recruitment or skill building within our local workforce, WorkOne is not checked off on the list
as a partner in that. Is there a sense that we have already identified skillsets within our community
and individuals that can pop right into these jobs over time?
Mr. Hall replied, In terms of identifying potential candidates, we have not. But we do use staffing
agencies within South Bend.The additional employees are full-time but over the course of ten(10)
years or what not,we do always have contract workers,as well,working for us. They will become,
as we transition, full-time.
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)CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Councilmember Broden stated, This is my last question. This is for the two (2)that we've already
heard, and then if it applies to others going forward. In terms of purchasing this equipment, how
much of it is done either with Indiana or regional suppliers?
Tim Blockey, 81545 South Olive Street, replied, Our main mixing equipment was purchased out
of Fort Wayne. Otherwise, we are looking at a variety of other vendors but can say several
hundreds of thousands of dollars came straight out of Fort Wayne.
Mr. Hall replied, Most of it is coming out of, like our racking, Dowagiac, Michigan. Then the
forklifts are bought right here from South Bend.
Councilmember Broden stated, I think that is helpful information to share, so, thank you.
Committeemember Regina Williams-Preston stated, My question kind of falls in line with what
Councilmember Broden is getting at, in terms of community benefit. How are we using folks
within our community, whether it's suppliers or labor force or things like that? So, the building
itself is going to be expanded. Has that contract already been awarded and do we know who is
doing that? I'm asking these questions, and I will be for any of the new development. I learned
something new. I learned about PLA's, Project Labor Agreements. So, I'm really interested in
moving forward. How can we use that tool to actually make sure we are hitting some targets? Now
that the contract has been awarded, things are kind of moving forward but that is something I am
definitely looking forward to as we start bringing these tax phase-ins forward. Again, working
together and being good community partners, how can we put something in writing to make sure
we are actually hitting the targets we are trying to hit in terms of engaging the people within our
community and lifting everyone up?
Mr. Hall replied,We are using Majority Builders for this expansion. We used Holladay Properties
Holladay Construction for the initial building. So, this is the first (1st) building we have actually
owned and built. Prior to that, prior to 2014, we leased in South Bend.
Mr. Buckenmeyer continued, Onward, this one(1) is exciting. It's going to really change some of
the landscape as folks come into South Bend as they pass through. The recipient of this abatement
is Hopkins Properties, also known as Truck Centers INC, (TCI) and formally known as Hill Truck
Center down on Sample Street. They are soon to be formally located right next to our Central
Services on the north side of Sample Street. What they have done in terms of land assemblage and
this project is, right on the corner of US-31 and the tollway here, a wonderful and great piece of
property that will allow them visibility. It's great because their business is in trucks, both selling
and repairing big rigs. We are excited about that and ask for your support for this project. It's a big
deal. It is nearly $18 million of private investment for a new facility that will be about 100,000
square feet. They will retain forty-two (42) jobs and they will add thirty (30) new jobs. Again,
these are of very desirable pay. It will take about twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months or so until
you see the actual facility. It will be a gorgeous tech repair center. They will start ramping up and
start hiring in advance of this, so they are ready to hit the group running with this. Mr. John
Hopkins who is the Chairman and CEO, is in from their headquarters in Illinois and then Tyler
Yates is a VP and heads up the South Bend location.
Councilmember Karen White stated,You mentioned the designation as an economic revitalization
area for three (3) years. Could you expand on that? What does that mean? In section five (5) of
this.
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1110 CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, The designation is just another way of saying it will be part of a tax
abatement.
Councilmember White followed up, So, it's just a designation and there are no additional dollars
forthcoming besides the tax abatement that is being asked of?
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, No.
Councilmember White then asked, So, any other developer that wanted to expand and develop in
this area, that would be the designation, right?
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, The economic revitalization area will be ordained as just this property
for only this recipient. They are going to develop that entire property.
Councilmember White followed up, So the other incentive is the tax abatement?
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, Yes. And, this is jumping ahead a little bit but one (1) important thing
I want everyone to know, and this has been shared with a lot of developers and the folks in that
region, this falls right below Portage Prairie where we've had a lot of wonderful growth but a lot
of growing pains in terms of increased traffic issues, frequency and also with trucks and speeding
cars. We are working on a lot of different things in that vein. We are working with the County, the
companies and the developers to make sure that all of the appropriate rules, and so on, were
followed. We are also looking at this from the standpoint of TIF investment versus tax abatement.
So traditionally with spec building and other things developing in this region, we've supported
them with TIF to help with some of the infrastructure developments going the last mile to the
building. With TIF, for example, parking, and what-have-you. We are redirecting any TIF
spending in that general region to infrastructure surrounding it. Largely, traffic, Ameritech Drive,
and the Cleveland Road interchange. One (1) thing we have set aside some funding for is what
will be a pretty massive project to completely redo that interchange next year.The State is planning
some work along the bypass that will be done in that same timeframe. We wanted to dovetail with
that. So, we've just in the recent weeks and month made clear that our TIF allotments and
expenditures in that area will go to infrastructure like that. But, yes, only tax abatement.
Councilmember Broden stated, This is an intercity move from Sample Street to here. Could the
petitioners address the benefits of this site, as opposed to where you are currently at?
John Hopkins, 38 Country Club View, Edwardsville, IL, replied, If I could, I will do a little
background and then I'll come right to your question. We are forty-nine (49) years in business
when we acquired Hill Truck sale. They had been in this area for fifty-four (54) years and we
acquired them in January of 2016. So, we gave them all the seniority of all of their previous years
of employment. We are multi-generational, and we are proud of that. We have twenty (20)
employees that have been with us for over forty (40) years in our company right now. We just
awarded last week a forty-five(45) year employment award which included a very nice check and
plaque to one(1)of our long-time technicians up here. Today I just awarded a thirty-five(35) year
award, a nice plaque and check to another long-time employee. One hundred and sixty-five (165)
over twenty(20) years with us. Training and education are really huge for us because our industry
keeps evolving and changing and there is a lot of construction going on, so we have to be really
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quick at moving. We have our own dedicated training centers. We have our own dedicated school.
We've been doing the school now for about five (5) years and we have fifty-five (55) graduates
from the school. All fifty-five (55) of them are still employed by us over these past five (5) years.
All are really great and strong technicians or parts people. At our training center we've trained
over 6,000 technicians across North America at our Troy, Illinois location. We are going to have
a sub-training center here in South Bend because of the distance from our Troy location. Tyler
already has that person being trained. It takes about two (2) years to get them trained to be able to
educate and train all of our people and certify them. Again, it is a great opportunity for us to be
here and be a part of your community. Moving to that location, for us, is important because of the
exposure to the Toll Road 80/90 and US-31.The Hill Family had not invested in the company over
the last couple of decades and everything became transient. We represented Freightliner which has
forty percent (40%) market share, which is Mercedes Benz Worldwide and the largest truck
manufacturer. So,it's really important to us to be seen and visible if we want to continue to expand
our business. This is a big project to us. Most of our facilities have been between $7 million and
$8 million. This one (1) is between $18 million to $19 million. It's a big one(1). Tyler moved his
family up here to the Granger area, relocated, and he may be a Cardinal fan, but I don't hold it
against him. We are asking you for some abatement on the taxes to help us ramp up over that
period of time to make it economically viable for us as we go forward. Thank you.
Committee Chair Ferlic stated, Citizen member Kyle Copelin has notified me that he works on the
next project, so, he will recuse himself on the vote when the times comes.
Mr. Buckenmeyer continued, Bill No. 19-26, another big one (1), folks. Back in 2015, and this is
a little history here, but a deal was struck between the City and Great Lakes Capital to build three
(3) buildings at Ignition Park. This deal does a few things. One (1) of them is it completes that
agreement. That agreement, back in 2015, added a$900,000 TIF allotment. So, this is a rare case
where TIF and tax abatement are combined but it is going to make sense in a minute. That
$900,000,we have a situation where the land owner,building owner and developer are completely
different entities from the tenant. The land owner, developer and building owner, Great Lakes
Capital, is going to be building a $16 million building. It is going to be bigger than the other two
(2)there now. They are both about 50,000 square feet. This one(1)is going to be closer to roughly
83,000 square feet.Now,again,it will be leased to a very important South Bend citizen.The reason
we are doing a tax abatement in addition to this is, again, in economic development, we are either
trying to attract somebody here or retain someone here. This is definitely a retention incentive for
Press Ganey. Press Ganey has been working with the City for,probably around five(5)years now,
in trying to find the right sweet spot for them to relocate. Their employees have been in the same
place for a while and they have been here since 1985. That is thirty (30) plus years. They were
founded here, and we are thrilled to keep them here. They have become a national force. They're
all over the United States right now. So, it is very meaningful for us and we're glad to know it is
meaningful for them to stay in South Bend as well.
He went on, Now,just to be very clear about the tax abatement and the TIF, TIF is going to help
build that building like was originally intended back in 2015. PG is signing a triple-net-lease with
Great Lakes. Triple-net-lease means that, in addition to their lease payment, they are going to pay
the property taxes. By us alleviating that property tax burden, that is why it is a direct retention
incentive to help PG fund their relocation to a new building and fulfill their desire to stay in South
Bend.
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Mike Williams, 404 Columbia Street, stated, I am the Senior Vice President of Operations for
Press Ganey. It is really an exciting opportunity to help complete the Ignition Park project. We,
frankly,have outgrown our space.We have two(2)campuses in South Bend.There is a production
facility that is going to stay as is,then the other is an Administrative Building where we have about
four(4) properties right now. This will allow us to consolidate that in a much more contemporary
and productive work environment for our Administrative personnel. We are really excited about
it.
Committeemember Sara Boukdad asked, Was there a tax abatement for Catalyst One(1) and Two
(2)? If so, how much was abated?
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied,Yes. Every year by June 15th,by ordinance,we provide a tax abatement
report to Council. That is the culmination of all the reporting that any tax abatement recipient must
do. By May 15 they have to give us what is called a CF-One (1), along with other things to the
Assessor and Auditor.
Angelina Billo, Business Development Manager for the Department of Community Investment
with offices on the 14th floor of the County-City Building,replied,They received one(1) for seven
(7) years and they completed their abatement.
Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, This deal has been on the line for a while and I heard
there was a real concern about us actually losing the company. I'm wondering if anyone would be
able to speak a little bit to the hypothetical, if you didn't get this abatement, what might your
prospects be? What were your considerations?
Committeemember Oliver Davis arrived at the meeting at 4:07 p.m.
Mr. Williams replied, We have eighteen (18) locations and facilities throughout the county as a
product of creating redundant operations as well as acquisitions. So, this is part of a big process
where we are looking at working with the legislature on some corporate income tax changes to
make Indiana more favorable to us to stay, as well. The options are, when we have eighteen (18)
other spots,to intersperse or build in some of these others, one(1) of which would be Utah, where
we recently built out a redundant production facility. So, our goal is to stay at home. We have
about 1,300 employees nationwide and five hundred and fifty (550) are here. So, this is the
majority and we wanted to be true to our family and our origin.
Committeemember Williams-Preston asked, Is Majority Builders doing this?
Mr. Williams confirmed, Yes.
Mr. Buckenmeyer continued, For a prelude to the next two (2), if there is any indication, from an
economic development standpoint, of a full-functioning and growing economy, it has got to be
someone willing to build a building and invest in the community without a defined tenant. We
have two (2) coming here. $20 million between the two (2) of them being invested in the
community. That is a really solid statement about where, I think, our community is and where it is
going. This is the absolute faith of professionals and commercial real estate investors and people
who are a lot smarter than me, willing to invest in the community. The first(1St) we will look at is
the fourth (4th) spec building that Great Lakes Capital will be doing. Again, if you recall, those
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jobs only being at sixty-two (62) while also having over $60 million of investment, this defines
that. We have over 400,000 square feet of new buildings being built, but we don't have any
numbers for direct employees for those. The first(Pt)three (3) spec buildings GLC has done, one
(1) now houses AM General, one (1) houses CTDI which, alone, is five hundred (500) plus
employees and AM General has over one hundred (100). And their last one (1) is just being
finished and is likely to have several hundreds of employees there, as well. So, I think they have
reason to be confident in this, I hope, and certainly they have a good track record. This is a large
plot of land right now. The building will go right about here (referencing the presentation). It will
be a$7 million investment for 166,000 square feet. It will be different from the buildings already
built out there. There will be the same access to the logistics corridor out there. There are indirect
jobs.
Jeff Smoke, 112 West Jefferson, stated, I want to thank you all for the opportunity. I think Dan
said it best.This is just continuing on the momentum we built out there with the first(1st)buildings.
We hope to break ground this summer.
Committee Chair Ferlic opened the floor to questions from Committee and Council Members.
Committeemember Williams-Preston asked, Has a contract been awarded for these buildings
already?
Mr. Smoke replied, Not yet.
Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, Would you be willing to consider a Project
Labor Agreement for either of those?
Mr. Smoke replied, Typically, we use Majority Builders and Stride for all local employees when
we can. If it would work for us, though, yes, we are open to a conversation.
Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, Ok, cool. Now this is an area where we are doing a
lot of stuff. What are the neighbors saying about this?
Council President Tim Scott stated, I can answer that. The last time they were here was on the
CTDI building. We actually put together a twelve (12) point action item list. This falls between
the County and the City. Economic Development is involved, Engineering on the City and County
level are involved, and it could be as simple as wayfinding on signs to what we are looking at,
there is going to be new improvements to the Cleveland overpass with the State coming in,as well.
There are growing pains out there. We are looking at that. We had a meeting with the neighbors.
We are working through some of that with our Engineering and the County's. Pretty much
everything out there is the County but, as we grow, we know there is a responsibility between the
both of us. Their Engineering group is looking at traffic studies because if you drive the roads out
there, the roads aren't made for this. We are also meeting with the developers and the companies
on making sure which direction their people are coming from. Also, the wayfinding signs are the
key there.There really aren't any wayfinding signs to instruct trucks to go the right direction down
Dylan instead of wandering through Orange, Mayflower, and Brick and everywhere else. Sheriff
Redman is involved, as well. There will be more to come on that. We have Engineering working
on it. The neighbors are not thrilled but they are happy we are looking at solutions for them on all
that. Dylan Drive really should be the only way in and out of there and that is kind of the issue.
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Then you cross over Adams. People have the freedom to go wherever,though, and you've got that
many employees, we are talking to them about that and some other things. Also, Great Lakes has
agreed to put up a walking path along Adams as well. We are working with everybody to make
that situation better.
Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, I know you had that one (1) meeting with the
neighbor. Is this one (1) property the one (1) that was damaged from the other?
Council President Scott replied, They are looking at that.
Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, The man who was living there can't live there
anymore because the basement caved in.
Council President Scott replied, A little change on that. That is a rental, actually. He owns it and
rents it out.
Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, Regardless, his property was damaged. But that
Dylan Drive is where you are talking about. So, you're working with him? He's one (1) of the
neighbors, I'm sure, that you've been talking to?
Council President Scott replied, Yes, we are on fact-finding.
Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, Good, we have to stay aware of what is happening
with that. I know they were really concerned. Thank you.
Councilmember Broden asked, So, is the access off this property Dylan? Is there any screening
relative to Mayflower?
Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, There will be no access to Mayflower. It will be a quarter mile away,
or so.
Councilmember Scott stated, This Council made sure that when the CTDI Building went in that, I
think we all agreed, there is nothing that connects to Mayflower or Brick up to the Michigan line.
I'm still in favor of that.
Mr. Buckenmeyer continued, Last, but certainly not least, again, another spec building. So, this is
Nimtz Parkway (referencing the presentation) and that is the Bypass. We are just east of it. One
(1) of these was an island that was annexed into the City. Both will be added to the Riverwest TIF
District with the TIF realignment, which, again, this is the only tax abatement. In this case, this is
Holladay Properties. They are looking at an about 225,000 square foot $18 million building. It
could be all one (1), it could be divisible, but several dock positions and again great access to our
corridors. We are thrilled to have another spec building go up. It's a huge one.
Paul Phair, 227 South Main Street, stated, I would like to echo a lot of what Jeff said. Thank you,
very much,for the opportunity. We are excited to be making a big investment out on the northwest
side again. This is really a good indicator, especially by people who are outside of the market
looking for space. It has been a very tight market, so, to be able to add space out there, it will
definitely gain the attention of brokers and users who aren't in this area but are looking for a new
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home. We are going to be using Holladay Construction Group as our general contractor. Our plan
right now is a July groundbreaking with delivery in the first(1St)quarter of next year. The building
is being designed for both manufacturing and distribution uses. So, it will be flexible to try and
accommodate as many users as possible. From a tax standpoint, Dan touched on it a bit, but these
will be net lease agreements. So,operating expenses,including taxes,are typically paid by tenants.
So, the benefit is really being seen by the end user and operator. So, it helps us offset some of that
risk because it is a big investment for a building that has a lot of vacancy. It helps us offset that
and it makes the building more attractive to that end user.
Committeemember Oliver Davis asked, How do you think this helps us in terms of making our
City more marketable than cities in our region like Mishawaka or Elkhart?
Mr. Phair replied, By having this space available, it helps shorten people's timeframe on when
they can get up and operating. So, for somebody who is sort of landlocked, Chase Plastics was a
good example. They had a little bit of land left but for somebody that didn't have that available,
they would have to look elsewhere. This provides a landing spot for someone looking for space.
I'm not aware of Mishawaka having any spec buildings. I think Elkhart had one(1)but I think that
is filled. So, it does make us competitive having these spaces.
Committeemember Davis followed up, So it puts us in a league?
Mr. Phair replied, Sure.
Committee Chair Ferlic opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor of or
in opposition to these items of legislation. There were none. He then turned the floor back to the
Committee for further comment or main motion.
Committeemember Davis made separate motions to send Bill Nos. 19-18, 19-20, 19-22, 19-24, 19-
26, 19-28, and 19-30 all to the full Council with favorable recommendations. Councilmember
Sharon L. McBride seconded these motions which carried by a voice vote of six (6) ayes*.
*(Committeemember Copelin abstained from voting on Bill No. 19-26)
With no further business, Committee Chair Ferlic adjourned the Community Investment
Committee at 4:24 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gavin Ferlic, Committee Chair
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