Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSM 08-11-66August 11 10:30 A. Presiding SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING 1966 120 W.:LaSalle Ave. Officer: Donald A. Wiggins, President South Bend, Indiana 1. ROLL CALL Present: Donald A. Wiggins, President James G. Louis, VicimPresident Stephen E Kompar, Secretary Fred .J. -H lmen, Assistant Secretary Frank G. Koczan Also Present: Mrs. Chas. H. Wills, 1.311 Corby Blvd.. Mr. & Mrs.Geo. Cheaigs, 2633 West Jefferson St. Mrs. Janet Allen Council Member Mr. Robert Laven Council Member Mr* William Drake,-Urban League Mr. William Morris, 529 Hill Street Mr. Edgar-Sey bold, Civic Planning Association Mrs. Robert Kimble, LaSalle Park Resident Mr. Brad Bate, WSBT -TV Mr. Bob Helems, WSBT -TV Mr. Pat McGrath, WNDU -TV Mr. Jim'Marchelewicz, WNDU -TV Mr. -Marc Carmichael, South Bend Tribune Reporter Mr. Andre Bohannon, 853 Clinton . Miss Ruby Jarrett, LaSalle Park Resident Legal .Counsel: Mr. Bruce C. Hammerschmidt LPA Staff W. Jan Chong, Executive Director Oliver J. Scott, Relocation Director Mrs. B. Gene Skeldon, Secretary President Wiggins stated the purpose of the special meeting was to issue a policy tatement on the activities outlined for the LaSalle Park Project, Indiana R -57, in order to reach a better understanding with residents of the project area and all citizens of South Bend. Copies of the Policy Statement, dated August 11, 1966, were distributed and read loud by President Wiggins. Also distributed and read was a "Joint tatement" which was prepared by the Mayor, the South Bend Housing A thority, and the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, following an 8 :00 A M. meeting on August 11, 1966. Copies of these two statements will be w dely distributed, and -extra copies will be on file in the office of the R evelopment Department. -1- In answer to releasE was to efJ and in the understanc urban rene to the question as to why this Department felt it necessary the statements at this time, President Wiggins said the release ect closer working relationships with people in the community LaSalle Park area. There is not enough communication, inng,'and knowledge within the whole community with respect -to wal. Questions were asked on the re- examination of acquisition appraisals, which are to be analyzed and), to the federal office in Chicago f r review. In discussion the joint state ent released from the Mayor's office,, adequate housing will be avail ble as needed. It is within that, 110 families will not be reloca d the same day, but as the accommodations, become available with priority pr ference for public housing units being given to urban renewal displacees. Mr. Morris, suggested that the Redevelopment Department make application under the new-open Space Program, "to show a genuine concern for the proposed park development in the LaSalle Park Project. °.However, agreement has already been reached with the Park Department of Soutb -Bend and the need at t is time is not more applications-and paper work. The Redevelopment staff wil approach the Park Department and attempt.to -step up activities in order hat park improvements will be accomplished very soon. The problem w th the park improvements appears to be the financial budget for the Park epartment. Discussior then centered on the conditions of streets. Miss Jarrett stressed Again the desperate need- for.improving Washington Street. The Redevelopment Department promised that survey work by-the-engineers would be started on Saturday, August 13, 1966, with street - construction to begin later in 1966. - Mr. Laven congratulated the Redevelopment Commission for the Policy Statement because it does show concern and that steps are being taken in the right direction to fulfill the needs of the people in LaSalle Park. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 A. M. V. s 0. f Jan Chong, Executive rector -2- with t South and August 11, 1966 JOINT STATEMENT suant to the concern expressed about relocation in connection urban renewal program in LaSalle Park, a joint meeting of the nd Housing Authority, the South Bend Urban Redevelopment Commission r Allen was held on August 11. In this meeting the relocation proklem was discussed. It was established that the South Bend Housing Authority presently has 94 family units in existence. There are under c:)nstru tion 108 family units which will be available on or before Decembe 31st. In the future planning of the South Bend Housing Authority, there i to be constructed an additional 18 family units. In addition to theso, there are 140 units for the elderly and 200 additional units for the elderly are in the planning stage. The policy adopted by the South Bend Housing Authority in connection with relocation has been for some time that priority will be given to those porsons that are being relocated in connection with urban renewal In addition to these relocation resources, there will be constructed in the LaSalle Park project 150 units of 221 (d) (3) housing, (75 of which will be family units and 75 of which will be for the elderly) which will also belavailable as a relocation resource. All of these are in addition to available private housing. with l J South Mayor there present need for relocation of low income families in connection e Park Project is determined to be a maximum of 110 family units. a careful review of these statistics, it is the sense of the Housing Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Commission and that the relocation resources are entirely adequate and that pears to be nn relocation problem. South Bend Housing Authority Urban Redevelopment Commission Mayor Page 2 6. Acquisition prices will l?e determined on the average of three independent appraisals in accordance with state ;.;..,, and federal .regulations. All three appraisers_ have been asked to re- examine their appraisals to see if there has been any,.,omissions or errors in the originally submitted appraisal prices. 7. The Redevelopment Commission has voted to request the Chicago Department of Housing and Urban Development to aid property owners by paying for abstract and 7 title . services.. This cost paid for by property owners in other South Bend urban renewal projects amounts to about $60 per property owner. All efforts will be made to permanently-improve some of the streets in the LaSalle Park area in 1966. The engineering consultant ha.s, been informed that all efforts' should be made to improve Washington Street by sometime in 1966. Engineering Survey work should begin approximately August 13, 1966. The Redevelopment Department will continue to meet with all organizations and individuals to discuss any problems and questions relating to all phases of urban'. renewal activities for the LaSalle Park Project. More citizens in the Project area will be asked to serve on Committees to be joined by professionals from other, welfare and service organizations. A continued effort will be made .to secure federal rehabilitation grants for families who have difficulty in the LaSalle Park area .to pay for rehabilitation costs. ( One family has already been notified that. a $1500 grant has been approved, to aid him in renovating of his home.) 1. Every effort is being made to engage a full time Financial Advisor to help families to apply for. federal. rehabilitation loans at,` -3% interest for those families who will be improving their homes to project rehabilitation standards. This Advisor will also aid families on personal budget and financial problems. Z. Free professional architectural service will be. furnished to pr.gj) .ct property owners whose homes will be rehabilitated. 13. Continued contact will be made by the Relocation Division of the Redevelopment Department to secure private sales type and private rental housing in all neighborhoods of South Bend for families who can make such purchase and pay the rental. 14. The available sales type and rental housing will be continued to be listed with photographs at the Relocation and Rehabilitation office of the''Redevelopment Department in the LaSalle Park Project. DEPARTMENT OF REDEVELOPMENT August 11, 1966 LICY STATEMENT OF THE SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION The South Bend Redevelopment Commission and its staff, the Redevelopment Department, are deeply concerned about the hardship and anxiety which will fall on residents and owners of properties in the LaSalle Park Project area and in order to .effect better understanding and to give further assurance that all efforts will be made to minimize hardship and: anxiety among the Project citizens, have adopted the following Policy Statement on Urban Renewa Activities for the LaSalle Park Project No. 1, Indiana R -57: 1. No substandard housing will be used as a relocation resource for either temporary or permanent relocation of project families or individuals. 2. No families or individuals living in the project area will be asked to move until decent safe and sanitary housing within their income means and location in a. convenient neighborhood can be offered the families and individuals. 3. The actual cost of moving all household belongings will be paid each family or individual moving from a dwelling in the Project area. 4. Owners and residents of properties to be acquired in the Project area will be given preference to purchase residential lots in the Project area as adopted by Redevelopment Commission Resolution No, 116 dated December 2 1965. Many of these buildable lots with new street and utility improvements paid for with federal and city funds will be available at . approximately $ 600 to $800 with final price to, be approved by the Chicago Department of Housing and Urban Development on the basis of reuse appraisals. 5. The Federal Housing Administration Indianapolis office has given preliminary reservation for 150 units of 221(d) (3) housing with rent supplement totalling $90, 000 a year. The Layman Chapel Church has voluntarily withdrawn as developer to favor a developer who might be able to construct such housing sooner because of previous experience with FHA. As of this moment; the following sponsors or developers are interested and have been contacted: A. Hill Development Inc. Danville Indiana B. Meisrow Investment Broker 133 LaSalle Chicago, Illinois C. Horner Nelson Schneider. &Associates, Inc. 60 East 42nd Street 639 Lincoln Building New York, New York 15 . 16. Page 3 A resubmission for funds to conduct a Diagnostic Survey and Referral Service utilizing LaSalle Park residents, will be made to restore funds which were previously deleted by the Chicago Department of Urban Development. The present schedule of execution activities in the LaSalle Project is a s follows: a. Land acquisition b. Relocation of site occupants c. Demolition & site clearance d. Site preparation, including installation of project improvements e. Disposition of land in project area f. Rehabilitation or conservation to meet project completion requirements Starting Completion Date Date 7/66 7/68 7/66 7/69 9/66 9/69 11/66 11/68 11/66 11/68 7/66 7/70