HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM 05-23-75May 23 1975
10:00 A. M.
Presiding Officer:
1. ROLL CALL
Commissioners
Present:
C mmissioners
A sent•
Lagal Counsel:
TNws Media:
Present:
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
HELD IN LIEU OF
REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 16, 1975
1200 County -City Building
Mr. John E. Chenney, 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard
Vice President South Bend, IN 46601
Mr. John E. Chenney, Vice President
Mr. Donald A. Wiggins, Secretary
Mr. B. L. Wade, Assistant Secretary
Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President
Mr. A. Peter Donaldson, Member
Mr. Kevin J. Butler
Ms. Jeanne Derbeck, South Bend Tribune Reporter
Mr. Gary F. Mills, South Bend Tribune Photographer
Mr. Dave Anderson, WNDU -TV Reporter
Mr. James L. Marchelewicz, WNDU -TV Reporter & Photographer
Mr. Dan Caesar, WSBT -TV Reporter
Mr. Steve Neher, WSBT -TV Photographer.
Mr. Larry Ford, WSJV -TV Reporter
Mr. Les Howard, WSJV -TV Photographer
Mrs. Janet S. Allen, Interested Citizen
Mr. George W. Batchelder, Nautilus Construction Corp.
Mr. Joel Bullard, Interested Citizen
Mr. Gene Evans, South Bend Civic Planning Assn.
Mr. Rollin E. Farrand, City Engineer
Mr. Hubert Getzinger, President, Downtown South Bend
Council
Mr. Dan R. Lawson, Lawson Associates
Mr. Thomas A. Oesterling, Clyde E. Williams & Associates, Inc.
Mr. Allen E. Schrager, Interested Citizen
Mr. Bill E. Slabaugh, Dept. of Public Works
Mr. Edward F. Soltesz, Chairman, Governmental Coordination
Committee of River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee
Mr. Charles F. Sonneborn, Jr., Sonneborn's Sport Shop
Mr. Ray Sovine, Indiana & Michigan Electric representative
Ms. Janeth Spitler, Interested Citizen
-1-
1. ROLL CALL (Cont'd)
L
A Staff: Mr. C. Wayne Brownell
Mr. William J. Parrish
Ms. Helen S. King
Mr. Kenneth Schaller
Mr. Keith P. Crighton
Mr. Louis N. Wilcox
Mr. Mark S. Davis
2. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
Motion
was made by Mr. Wiggins to approve the
Minutes of the
MINUTES
Special
Meeting of May 9, 1975, held in lieu of Regular Meeting
APPROVED
o
May 2, 1975, as distributed. Seconded by Mr ". Wade and
carried.
3. APPROVAL
OF CLAIMS
Motion
was made by Mr. Wiggins that the claims,
as submitted,
CLAIMS
be
allowed and ordered to be paid, totalling:
$446,659.88.
APPROVED
Seconded
by Mr. Wade and carried. The claims,
as authorized,
are:
P
E.A. R -66:
F
rst Bank & Trust Company, Trustee of Eugene
B. Warner Trust
$ 45,226.50
F
rst Bank & Trust Company, Trustee of John B.
Oren Trust
82,230.00
Solid
Waste Disposal Service
6.00
South
Bend Tribune
10.36
Total
$ 127,472.86
REDEVELOPMENT
REVOLVING FUND
Payroll: April 19, 1975 through May 2,
1974
$ 5,117.08
The
Bond Buyer
19.39
Continental
Assurance Company
127.00
Gates
Chevrolet Corporation
11.25
I
diana & Michigan Electric Company
23.13
Jack's
Conoco Service
164.80
Sweeney,
Butler & Simeri
200.00
Total
5,662.65
PROJECT
TEMPORARY LOAN REPAYMENT FUND
$ 300,000.00
Total
$ 300,000.00
N
D.P. A -10
T
e Abstract & Title Corporation of South Bend
$ 20.00
Total
20.00
BUREAU
OF HOUSING E -7
Project
Renew, Inc.
$ 5,000.00
Total
5,000.00
-2-
3.
4.
PPROVAL OF CLAIMS (Cont'd
DIISTRICT CAPITAL FUND
Circle Lumber, Inca $ 23.26
R seland Construction Company, Inc. 3,894.00
R seland Construction Company, Inc. 3,865.74
Total $ 7,783.00
D STRICT CAPITAL BONDS OF 1972
a
0
irke's Audio Visual'Center, Inc.
$ 132.00
slip Brothers, Inc.
14.42
)rth Side Feed Store
368.75
Gars, Roebuck and Company
63.86
)uth Bend Hardware
142.34
Total
$ 721.37
GRAND TOTAL
:$ 4461659.88
)MMUNICATIONS
HUD Regional Office letter dated May 7, 1975: This letter,
PROJECT CAPITAL
over the signature of Mr. Richard A. Kaiser, Assistant Re-
GRANT PROGRESS
gional Administrator for Community Planning and Development,
PAYMENT, A -10
advises Requisition No. 2 for Project Capital Grant Progress
Payment transmitted with our letter of April 30, 1975, has
been approved, in amount of $215,031.00, Project Ind. A -10.
S.F. 1096 indicates setoffs for outstanding direct temporary
loans plus interest which have been made against the ap-
proved payment. Since there is no remaining balance of
progress payments, we will not receive a`check pursuant to
approved payments.
Loan outstanding November 14, 1974, was in principal amount
of $322,418.19; interest accrued 11/14/74 5/7/75 amount
of $10,566.96; less payment applied of $204,464.08; leaving
a loan balance outstanding of May 7, 1975: $117,954.11.
HUD Area Office letter dated May 16, 1975: This letter, POOLING CREDIT
over-the signature of Mr. Stephen J. Havens, Acting Direc- FROM PROJECT
tor, Community Planning & Development, advises our requested IND. R- 66.PER-
waiver of manual provisions RHA +7215.1, Chapter 1, Section 1, MITTED TO BE
has been granted to permit a pooling credit from Project USED IN A -10
No. Ind. R -66 to be used in NDP Project Ind. A -10 prior to
the close -out of Project R -66.
This waiver has been granted solely for the purpose of faci-
litating the close -out of the NDP Project A -10, and the amount
of the pooling credit to be used must be limited to the mini-
mum required to eliminate the non -cash grant -in -aid deficit
in Project A -10.
- 3 -
5.
go
c
a
0
a
ICATIONS (Cont'd
Every effort is to be made to expedite the close -out of A -10.
If time extension is needed to complete the remaining acquisi-
tion currently in condemnation, the request is to be promptly
submitted.
HUD Area Office letter dated May 16, 1975: This letter, over
the signature of Mr. Stephen J. Havens, Acting Director, Com-
munity Planning & Development, was written to transmit a copy
of the subject'Audit Report and to authorize the Department of
Redevelopment to pay Goodson, Tyler and Associates, the IPA,
the contract fee.
ThE: results of the Area Office review of the Audit Report for
the period ending December 31, 1974, Project R -66, will be
transmitted under separate cover.
motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Wade and carried, the
ve communications are to be received and placed on file.
D BUSINESS
Plans for buildinq additional Plaza between Jefferson and
Washington Streets,-R-66:
Due to the anticipated length of this discussion, it was
agreed to discuss this item last, prior to adjournment.
This item was tabled in the May 9th Commission meeting,
and requested to be placed on the Agenda for the May 23rd
meeting for public discussion and hearing.
Right -of -way encroachment at southwest corner of Lincoln_way
East and Monroe Street, R -66: Mr. Brownell, Executive
Director, Dept`: of Redevelopment, advised this letter is
from Mr. Rollin E. Farrand, P.E., City Engineer, and signed
by Mr. Bill Slabaugh, Project Engineer, regarding this
subject involving Lots 19 and 20 of J. Rush's First Addition.
A history of the area with any disposition of the problem
to date is requested.
Mr. Brownell said this is a.matter the staff can work out
with Mr. Farrand.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Wade and
carried, to authorize the staff to work this out with Mr.
Farrand, City Engineer.
BUSINESS
Authorization to Transfer $300,000 from the Redevelopment
District Bonds of 1972 account to the Project Temporary
Loan Repayment Fund, R -66: Mr. Brownell requested the
transfer of $300,000 from the Bond account be added and
inserted in the minutes. This amount is included in the
approval of the claims above, Item #3.
- 4 -
AUDIT REPORT,
IND. R -66
ADDITIONAL
PLAZA PLANS,
R -66
RIGHT -OF -WAY
ENCROACHMENT,
R -66
TRANSFER OF
FUNDS FROM
REDEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT BONDS
OF 1972 APPROVED
6. NEW BUSINESS (Copt' d
Mr. Brownell advised we have to pay the interest on the
$10,150,000 Project Notes, Second Series, '1974. We have the
funds available from HUD's advance of Progress Payment of
$3,400,000 and from the sale of the $6,745,000 Project Notes,
First Series, 1975, which the Commission wil] award this morn-
ing, to pay off the old Notes. There still is the matter of
interest, in the amount of $231,149 that we have to pay.
The motion requested was the approval to transfer $300,000 from
the Redevelopment District Bonds of 1972 account to the Project
Temporary Loan Repayment Fund, R -66. The transfer is temporary
and shall be repaid by June 20, 1976, or at such earlier date as
such funds might be necessary for expenditure on eligible Bond
costs.
Mr. Wiggins made the motion for the authority, subject to the
conditions as outlined by Legal Counsel (as noted above), se-
conded by Mr. Wade and carried. The account is the District
Capital Bond Fund of 1972.
Preliminary Loan Notes: The bid opening for the Project Notes, PRELIMINARY
First Series, 1975, in the amount of $6,745,000.00, was held LOAN NOTES
at 1:00 p.m., (Eastern Daylight Savings Time), on May 20, 1975, AWARDED TO:
in the Office of the Department of Redevelopment, for the Central
Downtown Renewal Project, Indiana R -66. The bidders were: MORGAN GUARANT
Bidder's Name and Address Int. Rate Premium
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of N.Y. 3.63% $ 661.00
Salomon Brothers
25 Wall St., N.Y., N.Y. 10015
Bankers Trust Company 3.64% 531.00
16 Wall St., N.Y., N.Y. 10015
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. 3.75% 5.00
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10015
* Mellon Bank N.A. 3.64% 21.00
Mellon Square
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15230
* *American Fletcher National Bank 3.76% 6.00
By: St. Joseph Bank & Trust Co.
202 South Michigan Street
South Bend, IN 46601
Attn: Mr. John Schuster
The successful bidder for the Project Notes, in the aggregate
principal amount of Six Million Seven Hundred Forty -Five
Thousand Dollars ($6,745,000.00), for the Central Downtown
Urban Renewal Project, R -66, was Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
* Bid$ $2,000,000
** Bid $1,000,000 - 5 -
TRUST CO. OF
N.Y. AND
SALOMON BROS.,
N.Y.
6. NEW BUSINESS'(Cont'd
of New York and Salomon Brothers of New York, with an interest
rate of 3.63% and premium of $661.00, per HUD Regional Office
approval and award. The maturity date is.: June 11, 1976.
The Notice of Sale was published in The Daily Bond Buyer, on
May 6, 1975, and in The South Bend Tribune, on April 29 and
May 6, 1975.
A master resolution (Resolution No. 281) authorizes the sale,
issuance and delivery of project notes and the execution of
requisition agreements, for Project Indiana R -66
The Project Notes and the requisition agreements were received
in this morning's mail for execution and return to the Regional
Office by Friday, May 30, 1975.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins that the award be made to the
low bidder, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and Salomon
Brothers of New York, as noted above, seconded by Mr. Wade and
carried.
c Disposition Parcel No. 6 -1, R -66: Commission authorization was
ADVERTISING
requested to place legal advertisement for bids for the sale
APPROVED TO
of Disposition Parcel No. 6-1; also setting of the minimum
RECEIVE BIDS
accepted bid price for said parcel, Project Indiana R -66.
FOR SALE OF
DISPOSITION
Mr. Brownell advised this is for the 16.3 acres along the St.
PARCEL NO.
Joseph River, R -66, which has been discussed with a number of
6 -1, R -66
prospective bidders, and we also have a prospective bidder
who is interested but would require a change in the land use.
At this point, we are requesting authorization to advertise
for bids for this parcel to find out what bids we may receive
on the present land use before changing the land use for
the prospective bidder who would require the change. The
Plaza Park is alongside the river and this land is next to
the Park area that is being awarded this morning.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins to authorize the legal adver-
tising to receive bids for the sale of Disposition Parcel No.
6 -1, seconded by Mr. Wade and carried.
Legal Counsel requested a motion authorizing the minimum bid MINIMUM BID
price, which is $645,808.00, with an approximate square feet PRICE ACCEPT -
area of 713,600, with reuse value per square foot of $.905, ABLE:
with use of Service Commercial /Residential for Disposition $645,808.00
Parcel No. 6 -1, R -66. Motion made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded
by Mr. Wade and carried.
6. NtW BUSINESS (Cont'd
J
Plaza Park Contract No: l: The previous bids received for
Plaza Park Contract No. l were rejected, conditional award
rescinded and approval given to re- advertise Contract No. 1
in Commission meeting of March 21, 1975. HUD had advised
the only apparent action open at this point to proceed with
the project is to re- advertise Contract No 1, with the scope
reduced so that the low bid will be within the revised estimate.
Consequently, a base contract and alternates were set up to keep
the project within the budget available and within the revised
Engineer's estimate.
The invitation for bids appeared in The South Bend Tribune and
the Tri- County News on March 28 and April 4, 1975, for bids
on:
Contract 1•
Construction of Plaza Park including brick paving, asphalt
paving, boat slips and pier, timber piling, reinforced con-
crete construction, wood improvements to existing Railroad
Bridge, kiosks, drinking water fountains, pavement removal,
misc. demolition, earthwork, exposed aggregate paving,
gabions, sculpture pedestal and benches.
Contract 3•
Electrical service and lighting.
The bid opening was at 10:00 a.m., E.S.T., on April 11, 1975,
in the Office of the Department of Redevelopment. The following
bids were received and publicly opened:
.Alternate Alternate
of Contractor (Contract #1 ) Base Bid A B
1)*
Nautilus Construction Corp.
$171,349.50
$ 627.00
$ 1,799.50
2)*
Arco Engineering
Construction
215,220.65
957.95
1,993.25
3)*
The Hickey Co.,
Inc.
247,448.50
882.39
2,032.26
4)*
Carl J. Reinke &
Sons, Inc.
329,261.35
829.60
2,668.80
Alternate Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
C
D
E
F
G
1)*
$ 871.00 $
5,19 1.00
$ 4,169.50
$ 7,453.00
$ 4,169.50
2)*
1,032.15
6,768.75
5,305.05
9,123.40
5,305.05
3)*
998.84
7,873.01
6,112.01
10,163.89
6,112.01
4)*
1,118.40
6,087.80
4,616.80
8,498.00
4,759.80
Alternate Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
H
I
J
.K
L
1)*
777.00 $
4,400.00
$ 2,716.00
$ 1,236.50
$ 4,032.50
2)*
1,233.75
4,520.00
3,875.10
2,585.70
8,432.10
3)*
1,114.55
4,480.00
2,436.89
2,052.99
6,694.95
4)*
1,067.40
5,760.00
5,384.60
2,224.80
7,255.20
- 7 -
PLAZA PARK
CONTRACT
NO. 1
AWARDED TO:
NAUTILUS
CONSTRUCTION
CORPORATION,
R -66
6. NSW BUSINESS (Cont'd)
Tie low bid is from Nautilus Construction Corporation, in Elkhart, with
a base bid of $171,349.50, and the project recommended by Lawson Associates,
a our engineering consultants for the project, to fit within our budget is
i dicated on the Exhibit entitled Project Combination "D." 'It is their
j dgment that this combination will provide the best combination of items
f r the money available, and give us the most desirable park in line with
tie original intents and guidelines of the Redevelopment Commission.
B sides Nautilus' base bid of $171,349.59, the following Alternates were
r commended for award:
Alternate A ....... $ 627.00
Alternate
C .......
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
J .......
2,716.00
M.
N.
0.
P..
Q.
1)*
Alternate
$ 4,077.00
$17,929.00
$ 3,540.00
$ 8,450.00
$ 4,000.00
2)*
S .......
8,529.90
41,154.50
5,175.00
8,850.00
2,450.00
3)*
- (1,725.00) $ 37,856.50
6,772.19
34,965.40
5,758.50
6,520.00
3,750.00
4)*
7,338.80
42,747.95
7,175.00
17,529.00
5,130.00
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate
R
S
T
U
1)*
2,000.00
$ 975.00
$ 2,000.00
$- 1,725.00
2)*
2,200.00
1,072.50
2,000.00
5,011.00
3)*
1,480.00
1,072.50
2,380.00
2,419.25
4)*
3,420.00
1,072.50
1,908.00
- 5,098.00
Tie low bid is from Nautilus Construction Corporation, in Elkhart, with
a base bid of $171,349.50, and the project recommended by Lawson Associates,
a our engineering consultants for the project, to fit within our budget is
i dicated on the Exhibit entitled Project Combination "D." 'It is their
j dgment that this combination will provide the best combination of items
f r the money available, and give us the most desirable park in line with
tie original intents and guidelines of the Redevelopment Commission.
B sides Nautilus' base bid of $171,349.59, the following Alternates were
r commended for award:
Alternate A ....... $ 627.00
Alternate
C .......
871.00
Alternate
H .......
777.00
Alternate
J .......
2,716.00
Alternate
K .......
1,236.50
Alternate
N .......
17,929.00
Alternate
P .......
8,450.00
Alternate
Q .......
4,000.00
Alternate
S .......
975.00
Alternate
T .......
2,000.00
Alternate
U .......
- (1,725.00) $ 37,856.50
Base Bid 171,349.50
Total recommended for award, Contract #1.. $ 209,206.00
T e Alternates excluded in this award are: Modules, D, E, F, G and AA,
B ick at the Bridge Plaza, Brick at Entrance Plaza, and Bridge Lighting;
a so excluded are Alternates D and L, due to costs involved.
Mrs. Janet S. Allen asked the type of brick that is to be used for the
Plaza Park -- regular or the brick we have on the Plaza - -to which Dan
Lawson replied the brick we have available for the Plaza Park will be
the bricks from the Columbia Street area. Commissioner Wiggins said
this will be utilizing the existing pavers, and that those bricks will
1 st longer than any of us here.
e
BUSINESS (Cont'd)
Mr. Wiggins made the motion for approval as outlined above,
seconded by Mr. Wade and carried, that Contract No. l for
the Plaza Park be awarded to the low bidder, Nautilus Construc-
tion Company, according to the base bid and alternates, as
recommended by Lawson Associates, (as noted on page 8 of the
Minutes). Base bid of $171,349.50, plus Alternates A, C, H,
J, K, N, P, Q, S, T and U totalling $37,856.50, for a total
award of $209,206.00; subject to Legal Counsel approval and
HUD Area Office approval, and if approved, the Commission
President: and Secretary authorized to enter into and execute
contract.
Plaza Park Contract No. 3: This contract was partially dis- PLAZA PARK
cussed and outlined in discussion with Contract No. 1, awarded CONTRACT
above. NO. 3
AWARDED TO:
Mr. Brownell advised Lawson Associates also recommends we
accept the contract bid of Colip Brothers, Inc., for award COLIP BROTHERS,
as the low bidder, with a base bid of $10,932.80 and Alternate INC., R -66
B in amount of $21,462.00, or a total award for this Contract
3 of $32,394.80. This is a well - established electrical con-
tractor.
The bids received and publicly opened were:
Mr. Wiggins moved for the approval, Mr. Wade seconded the motion and
motion carried to award Contract No. 3 to the low bidder, Colip Brothers,
Inc., for base bid of $10,932.80 and Alternate B in amount of $21,462.00,
or a total award for Contract 3 of $32,394.80; subject to Legal Counsel
approval and HUD Area Office approval, and if approved, the Commission
President and Secretary authorized to enter into and execute contract.
Alternate
Alternate
Name of Contractor (Contract #3) Base Bid A
B
Arrow Electric Co.
$10,587.50 $15,000.00
$26,140.00
Colip Brothers, Inc.
10,932.80 14,498.00
21,462.00
Dave's Electric Co.,
Inc. 9,635.25 13,089.00
24,497.00
Morse Electric Co.,
Inc. 11,953.50 17,000.00
24,395.00
Asked why Alternate
A was not recommended, Mr. Brownell said
it
is recommended, but
that we do not have the money right now.
We will
fix the bridge so it
will be all ready to install the lights;
the
lights can be added
later.
Mr. Ed Soltesz, Chairman,
Governmental Coordination Committee
of the
River Bend Advisory
Committee of the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee,
asked if the public
address system is included in this, and Mr. Brownell
advised it is not included
as we have had a problem with our
money. We
will do just what we
have to do. There wtTl be no problem in
putting it
in later when funds
are available.
Mr. Wiggins moved for the approval, Mr. Wade seconded the motion and
motion carried to award Contract No. 3 to the low bidder, Colip Brothers,
Inc., for base bid of $10,932.80 and Alternate B in amount of $21,462.00,
or a total award for Contract 3 of $32,394.80; subject to Legal Counsel
approval and HUD Area Office approval, and if approved, the Commission
President and Secretary authorized to enter into and execute contract.
8. NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd
f Colfax /Pier Park Dredging'Contract':No. 1: This Contract was COLFAX /PIER
advertised in The South Bend Tribune and Tri- County News PARK DREDGING
on March 28 and April 4, 1975. The bid opening was at 10:00 CONTRACT 1
a.m., E.S.T., on April.11, 1975, in the Office of the Depart- AWARDED TO:
ment of Redevelopment, along with Contract Nos. l and 3. The NAUTILUS CON -
following bids were received and publicly opened STRUCTION CORP.
R -66
Alternate Alternate
Name of Contractor (Contract #1) Base Bid A_ .B.
Nautilus Construction Corp. $40,756.00 $.6,620.00 $ 1,365.00
Sollitt Construction Co., Inc. 43,342.57 22,348.75 7,348.25
Ritschard Bros., Inc. 49,988.50 21,215.00 24,797.50
Small, Inc. 50,240.50 85275.00 130,357.50
Mr. Brownell said the recommendation is that this contract be
awarded to the low bidder, Nautilus Construction, Inc., of Elkhart,
Indiana, for base bid of $40,756.00 and Alternate A in amount of
$6,620.00, or a total bid award of: $47,376.00. Alternate B will
not be awarded at this time.
Discussion followed on the large discrepancies on the bids, with
Commissioner Wade saying he still believes that you get what you
pay for, and stated: "We have an obligation to the taxpayers to
not be sorry. I hope you can do it, but it scares me. Someone
here does not know what they are doing, or.did not know what they
were doing, is the only question I have. Commissioner Chenney
said whoever gets the contract has to put up a performance bond.
Mr. Georqe W. Batchelder, representing the Nautilus Construction
Company, advised he is familiar with this type of construction.
ThE: major cost, as pointed out by Commissioner Wiggins, is for
labor, and he does not expect to use very expensive labor on it.
The rock is the biggest cost and he said we will get a good grade
of rock and we will have the proper wire baskets. Some of the
other bidders may be afraid of labor costs. Unless labor costs
are supervised closely and have reasonable costs on labor, it
could get out of hand. Commissioner Wade agreed to this but
stated there is a 400% difference, with Dan Lawson reading off
the differences, and the differences are drastic between well -
known and recognized contractors and that these are unique pro-
jects.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Wade and carried,
that Contract No. 1 for Colfax /Pier Park Dredging be awarded to
the low bidder, Nautilus Construction Corporation, in base bid
amount of $40,756.00 and Alternate A in amount of $6,620.00, or
a total bid award of: $47,376.00; subject to Legal Counsel ap-
proval and HUD Area Office approval, and if approved, thE: Commis-
sion President and Secretary authorized to enter into and execute
contract.
- 10 -
6. NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd
Phase II -E Contract, Wheelchair Ramps, R -66: This Contract was
advertised in The South Bend Tribune and Tri- County News on
April 11 and April 18, 1975. The bid opening was at 10:00 a.m.,
E.S.T., on May 14, 1975, in the Office of the Department of
Redevelopment. The following bids were received and publicly
opened:
Name of Contractor Bid Amount
Reith - Riley Construction Co., Inca $ 27,799.00
P.O. Box 1775
South Bend, IN 46634
Harry
H. Verkler Contractor, Inc.
$ 14,500.00
645 N.
Wilber Street (P.O. Box 3608)
South
Bend, IN 46628
Carl J. Reinke & Sons, Inc.
$ 43,443.05
721 N.
College Street (P.O. Box 3095)
South
Bend, IN 46619
Ziolkowski Construction Co.
$ 18,251.50
1320 South
Franklin St. (P.O. Box 1106)
South
Bend, IN 46624 -
Mr. Brownell said the recommendation by Patrick M. McMahon,
Manager of the Bureau of Public Construction, recommends the
Phase II -E Contract be awarded to the low bidder, Harry H.
Verkler Contractor, Inc., in bid amount of $14,500.00. The
unit prices total $14,501.19, but the total bid amount is
$14,500.00.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Wade and carried,
that Phase II -E Contract be awarded to the low bidder, Harry H.
Verkler Contractor, Inc., in bid amount of $14,500.00; subject
to Legal Counsel approval and HUD Area Office approval, and if
approved, the Commission President and Secretary authorized to
enter into and execute contract.
h! Chancre Order No. 1 to Rehabilitation Contract with Roseland
Construction Co., Inc., R -57: Approval was requested for
Change Order No. 1 to the Rehabilitation Contract we have with
Roseland Construction Co., Inc., for an increase in contract
amount of $1,402.88, for work at 309 South Iowa Street, in the
LaSalle Park Urban Renewal Project, Indiana R -57, for an amended
contract total of: $8,082.88. The change order covers the
following work:
1) Bathroom: remove ceramic tile around tub, and install new
tile and reinstall shower doors;
2) Kitchen: remove and replace kitchen carpet;
- 11 -
PHASE II -E
CONTRACT
AWARDED TO:
HARRY H.
VERKLER
CONTRACTOR,
INC., R -66
CHANGE
ORDER NO. 1
REHAB.
APPROVED,
R -57
6. NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd)
3) Bedroom: paint;
4) Outside: remove and replace aluminum siding north, south
'and west sides of new addition.
Mr. Brownell said this is the house where the muck caused the
addition of the house to sink, which had to be jacked up and
build a new foundation.
Mr. Wiggins moved for the approval of the above Change Order,
for an increase in contract amount of $1,402.88 for an amended
contract of $8,082.88. Motion was seconded by Mr. Wade and
carried.
Resolution No. 513: This Resolution authorizes the execution
of the Redevelopment Agreement for the disposition of land and the
execution of Quit -Claim Deed for the transfer of title thereto
in connection with land to be disposed of in the LaSalle Park
Urban Renewal Project, Indiana R -57, for Parcel No. 28 -22, located
at North Chicago Street, in acquisition amount of $450.00.
Mr. Wiggins moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 513, seconded
by Mr. Wade and carried.
Change Order No. 1 to Rehabilitation Contract No. 14, E -7:
Commission approval was requested of Change Order No. l to
Rehabilitation Contract No. 14, with Madison Builders, Inc.,
for an increase in contract amount of $160.00, for work at
1107 Carroll Street, in Project E -7, Bureau of Housing, for an
amended contract total of: $5,153.00.
The additional charge is to install three sections of 4 ft.
soil pipe, with appropriate accessories; excavate a 4'x4'x5'
area to tap into the primary sewer and fill to level; repair
foundation, waterproof, with concrete as needed.
Commissioner Wiggins said this question has come up before:
since this will put the contract above the $5,000 limit, does
the approval of this change order now require City Council
approval? Mr. Kevin J. Butler, Commission Legal Counsel,
stated he had answered this question after the last Commis-
sion meeting. Any contracts over the $5,000 limit or any
change orders increasing the contract amount over the $5,000
limit must be approved by City Council, and Commission ap-
proval.
Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the South Bend Civic Plan-
ning Association, raised questions on the approval of these
by the City Council, and also what would happen if the Council
would not approve the $160.00 change order in this case? Mr.
Butler said that is a good question. The work has been started
on the contract and will be completed as'. it is under $5,000
limit -- contract amount:- $4,984.00 -- however, the change order
work would not be done without Council approval.
- 12 -
RESOLU-
TION NO.
513
ADOPTED,
R -57
CHANGE
ORDER
NO. 1 TO
REHAB.
CONTRACT
NO. 14
APPROVED,
E -7
7. PfOGRESS REPORTS
a
River Bend Plaza Schedule of "Activities, R =66s Mr. Louis N.
ACTIVITY
Wilcox, Director of the River Bend Plaza Office, said that
SCHEDULE,
the activities on the Plaza are in full swing. The activi-
RIVER BEND
ties schedule previously distributed is about 99% unchanged
PLAZA, R -66
involving activities scheduled.
Also, last Sunday, we had the Progressive Country Western
Group on the Plaza and it was extremely well attended. It
lasted from Noon until 6:00 p.m. Mr. Wilcox's estimate of
the crowd was in excess of 2.,000 people Sunday afternoon,
with some of`the people eating their lunches, etc. Hope -
fully, after looking at it Sunday, when the discussion comes
up for the public input on the building of the Plaza between
Jefferson and Washington Streets, at that time he would like
to 'put his oar' in, if he may.
b
River Bend Plaza Pools: Commissioner Wiggins said along thi "s
RIVER BEND
same matter of the Plaza - -in the operation and maintenance
PLAZA POOLS,
of it - -this morning, before this meeting, he made a tour of
R -66
all the pools, since the pools were an item of quite some
discussion in our last meeting. "I am still a long way from
satisfied in the appearance of the pools. I see that the
pool with the black rocks is currently being dried out, and
I understand that they will re- cement the stones, is that
right? Mr. Bill Slabaugh, with the Department of Public
Works, advised Hickey Construction Company is working on it,
as part of their maintenance bond. Mr. Brownell said this
is part of their guarantee.
Mr. Wiggins continued, "At the same time, there are some
other items that I want to be sure will be handled. There
are some several electrical boxes of some sort that have
covers that are apparently unsecured, screws missing, or
have bolts half out from some of the grating that fits in
the center part, which shows it was completely unscrewed and
apparently has been unscrewed for quite some length of time.
As I examined the area that the light screws go into and the
appearance of the aluminum itself, there has been no contact
with any lighting screws or anything."
"Similar other items, I think, should be checked out, particu-
larly in view of the OSHA safety regulations, in that those pits
that contain the electrical panels and the rest of it, when those
lids are raised, there is no barrier, nothing there to prevent
any careless pedestrians, small dog, child, or whatever., from
crawling into the pit, and it would be a very serious thing if
it would happen. Those things are deep. There are various things
people. could bank against. Now, whether or not the regulations
require that there be some sort of safety fence, curtain or what-
ever, to come up with the doors against it, but in the event that
this. is not practical; certainly the people who have occasion to
raise those doors should have saw horses or something of a protec-
tive barrier to be installed and in use anytime those things are
open, and this should be a definite requirement and be enforced
- 13 -
7. PROGRESS REPORTS (Cont'd
because the City could be liable for all sorts of damages, as a
result of this sort of thing."
"In the course of walking around this with Ed Soltesz, we also
looked at the gratings between the old post office - -I guess it is the
Federal Court Building now- -and I understand there are similar grat-
ings down at the other end. Whoever designed this, must be a bachelor,
because they are of such material that any except the very widest heels
on women's shoes, could undoubtedly get caught in the gratings and
somebody could break a leg and everybody's' sorry, but that doesn't
solve the problem."
"Ed has taken the initiative to get a sample and a price quote on
some material that would very easily solve this problem." Mr. Wiggins
displayed steel mesh that is available for $7.00 per square foot that
could very easily be placed under or on top of those gratings "that
would prevent not only the possibility of someone injuring themselves,
but keep cigarette butts and the trash out of there.` This trash thing
is really a problem. The pools, on the whole, looked pretty decent
this morning, but I can see how this requires a lot of work, and a
lot of supervision. I do not know how we are going to go about edu-
cating the 'John -Q Public' to be as smart as the animals and quit
fouling up his own vest, but this is part of it. The gratings are
3/4" x 2" wide. The grates are so situated that all it would require
would be a little stock removal in the legs to drop them far enough
that this would give them. This would go on top and would be at grate
level flush over by the Federal Court House and also by the Jefferson
Parking Garage.
Mr. Soltesz said it not only comes in stainless steel.; but also comes in
Monel Metal, and the application is very simple. Commissioner Wiggins
said that he would think that stainless would be preferred actually.
Commissioner Chenney asked how long the grates have been in, to which
Mr. Soltesz replied, "They just put them in, I'gather, after the re-
quest that was made here. I made the request that they be looked
into. Mrs. Janet Allen and various other citizens of the community
had complained about it repetitiously, and nothing was done about it,
until this point. Since we have all the engineering expertise in the
area and nothing was accomplished, so I brought it up here. Now, if
I can bring it up here, I am sure that anybody else in the community
could also, and I am not asking for $5,000 increment a year for doing
so as an engineer. The fountains by the old Post Office have been
a hazard.
Commissioner Wiggins asked if we can have this checked out and give
us information and terms. Mr. Brownell said we can have this matter
checked out and Tom Oesterling with Clyde E. Williams & Associates,
and our City Engineer, Mr. Rollin'Farrand, and his associates are
here in the meeting for discussion. Commissioner Wiggins said he
feels sure we have a hazard here and there could be some liabilities,
and something should be done. Mr. Brownell said we can have'this re-
viewed.
- 14 -
7. PROGRESS REPORTS (Cont'd
Mr. Soltesz stated, "A review is fine, but here we are in the middle
of the season: Now, -let's proceed and do it: It's just that simple.
We have had all of these meetings, and the River Bend Advisory Com-
mittee meetings, and have gone on and discussed these pools since
last October, and NOW we are going to review it!
Commissioner Chenney said, "You mean this was brought up last
October ?" with Mr. Soltesz replying, "Yes, it was brought up, right
in this - meeting - -last October. I brought it up personally. They did,
however, put plywood on for the winter to keep people from falling in."
Commissioner Wade asked how long it will take to get this mesh, and
Commissioner Wiggins said we will have to have a change order, a
contract, or something, to get it done. Mr. Soltesz said he will
leave the sample here that belongs to the Bendix'Corporation, and
the manufacturer's brochure - -thE: woven wire table booklet is from
The W. S. Tyler Company, Cleveland, Ohio -- Specification No. 74.
Mr. Oesterling, with Clyde E. Williams & Associates, said that as far as
he is concerned, he thinks it is a good idea. It appears good to him
and it appears that thE: only thing we need is to negotiate with someone
to get it installed, in reference to Soltesz's recommendation. That
we would not want to do it under contract, but under negotiations, as
there are limitations on a contract to negotiate. Mr. Brownell said
said we could go up to $2,000 without a bid. Discussion was on it
requiring perhaps six sheets - -4 x 8 - -@ $200 or $1,200 plus the cost of
installation. Commissioner Wiggins said it would probably cost over
$3,000 and would cover both areas probably.
Commissioner Wade said, "Let's get this done right: "Tom Oesterling said
Mr. Farrand has some additions.
Legal Counsel, Mr. Butler, requested, "At the next meeting, have a re-
commendation back to this meeting for action to move with this - -on
June 6. Commissioner Wiggins added, "And hope nobody breaks a leg in-
between time."
Mr. Butler said, "In the last meeting, I was asked to check on the
responsibility for maintenance repair items on the Mall, whether it
is ours, the Board of Public Works, or whoever. It is our responsi-
bility still. The Project has not been turn e d over to the Board of
Works by the Redevelopment; Commission. The Project was not formally
approved by the Commission. My understanding is that when thE: re-
quest comes, we will approve the completion retroactive to August,
1974. We do have the maintenance and performance bonds and obligations
on the contractor on certain parts of that run for only one year. So,
when we do that, if it is approved retroactive to August of 1974, we
are dealing with August, 1975, deadline. On the pools- -the pools are
excluded in that. There is a one -year limitation on the mechanical parts
of the pools. Are we going to get a request for the acceptance of that
soon? Mr. Oesterling replied, "The final change order has been held
until the maintenance equipment that was required by change order to the
contract was fulfilled. The final change order can be submitted for
authorization." Mr. Butler asked if it can be submitted at the next
Commission meeting with the acceptance of the Project ?" Mr. Oesterling
replied, "Yes."
- 15 -
7.
E:
GRESS REPORTS (Cont'd)
Commissioner Wiggins wanted to raise one question: "In terms of
mechanical" what about the rocks that'are currently loose from the
Epoxy and the rest of it, is that mechanical? Mr. Oesterling re-
lied, "No, that is under the three -year guarantee." Commissioner
Chenney asked if those are the black rocks they are speaking of?
Commissioner Wiggi.ns requested if he would "change the 'black' to
'gray' - a kind of ''wash -out gray' a't`that`."
LIC HEARING
T is being the conclusion of the items on the Agenda for the meeting,
M% Brownell chaired this part of the meeting for Item 5 under Old
B siness, a. Plans for Building Additional Plaza between Jefferson and
W shington Streets, R -66:
T is item, by consent, was placed as the last item of the meeting to allow
p blic input. This was discussed in the Commission meeting of May 9, under
Item 5a, at length, with the motion made and carried that this item be placed
oi the Agenda for the May 23rd meeting for public discussion and hearing.
T is item was also discussed at great length in Commission Meeting of Novem-
b r 1, 1974, under Item 6d, Preliminary Schematic.
M-. Brownell said we have essentially three (3) plans that have been sug-
g sted by Mr. Phil Simonds, the architect with Environmental Planning and
D sign, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who is doing the block between Jefferson
aid Washington Streets.
The first plan, on the wall now, indicates the hydraulic lift stage, 30 ft.
wide by 60 ft. long, going across the entire street. This is the one dis-
cussed at the Plaza Office at some length and discussed here. We agreed
to have this item discussed here again today so that everyone could have
a chance to make an input.
T o more plans will be placed on the wall.hE-,re- -one to show a permanent
s age at the side of the sidewalk and the stage being turned the other
w y, 30 ft. wide and 60 ft. long along the sidewalk on the east side of
tie street, and it would be permanent, and then it would be, as you can
s e, curbs 10 feet out from the stage, 6 ft. high and 10 ft. wide. A
1 ittle Plaza - like.
Tie third will be very much like the original design for the Plaza and I
will discuss each one. The three (3) plans are here that we are shoving
t is morning, and we would like to have your input. We only have three (3)
m mbers of the Commission here today, so probably will not resolve it today,
bit we will give everyone an opportunity to tell us about it and discuss it
a y way you wish. Is there anyone who wishes to make any comments about
t is plan?
Mr. Wilcox: A comment first. You said it has been discussed at the River
Bend Plaza. A motion was made, and I so informed the Commission
at the last meeting that this Alternate, which is 'D', I believe,
be accepted by this Commission, which was by unanimous vote of
the Committee, and I would also like to add that - -at least this
may be a jaundiced few - -but there are more people using the
- 16
8. PU LIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Mr. Wilcox
(Cont' W:
Mr. B
Downtown Plaza this year at this point, than were doing so last
year. The Plaza is actually becoming a 'People Place' and this,
I am sure, many of us will recall that the charge given to us by
the Mayor to make it a center place for the people.
In my view, the Plaza very definitely needs a stage. We have
had many instances on the one we are using currently which is
commonly called a stage, but I understand it is not a- stage,
such as in the original concept in front of Robertson's, and
by the time that you get more than 100 to 200 people there, you
cannot hear, view, or see what is going on, and I would make a
plea to the Commission that serious consideration be given to
Alternate 'D' here. Much time, effort and discussion has gone
into this particular Plan by many citizens of the community- -
several who are represented in the room here this morning.
ell: Anyone else wish to comment?
Mrs. Allen:
I think it is a little difficult to talk about this Plan without
having or seeing the others, because if you go back and start
with the original brick walls, wells and fountains, etc., that
were in the original plan, and then ask such as we have on the
finished part of the Mall, and then you say ....(rest inaudible)
(At this point, the other Plans were placed on the wall to view
for discussion.)
Mr. Fi�chgrund: Will the canopies reach that point?
Mr. Brbwnell:
Mr. Schrager:
As far as I know, the canopies are included in all three, but
not where there are no buildings.
I am a member of the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee, and
we agreed to -- and I asked the Commission to support Plan 'D',
but after thinking about it a little bit further, I am wondering
with the Century Center and the auditorium at the Morris Civic,
if we would have to go to the expense of putting another stage
on the Mall. I am not sure, but I do know and I don't think
we should have a stage that will require a lot of maintenance- -
like the pools have required - -and I am quite concerned if we go
into the hydraulic stage, what the maintenance would be over the
years; plus the fact if you would get the maximum out of the
stage, you may have to put a roof over it, and I don't know if
the cost - -if you would get enough use out of the stage- -and to
justify the: cost with the.stage "being available at the Morris
Civic, and probably with one being available at the new Century
Center, but I would like to see the Mall completed from Jeffer-
son to Washington, by this summEr, I hope.
11: We all hope that.
Mr. Wi §gins:
In response, in part, in part, at least to this maintenance
thing, I think one of the real problems.here is 'a very simple
one that happens in every household every day - -when all else fails,
read the directions.
- 17 -
8. PU LIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Mr. Wiggins You know, -I don't think this maintenance ought.to be all that
(Cont' d) difficult, and perhaps a bit of the problem is that we just
need to educate people to follow instructions and read direc-
tions.
Mr. Solltesz:
(Someo�e in
audie ce):
Mr. Ch
That's right:.
That's tough:
ney: I think the primary use of that block down there is to get
some business for the merchants, and I know they have held
several affairs down there, and I have been down to see them.
I am hearing from some here that there has been a large crowd
of 2,000 to 5,000 people when it was more like 500. 'Maybe I
was blind when I was down there, but I didn't ;see that many
people. They might have been some place; maybe, they had
then hidden some place.
And, another thing - -I read the paper - -I have never had a
merchant in that block say yet, that it increased, or that
they got any business from them. Further, why are we putting
them in their for?
Mr. Wilggins:
That is just my opinion. I am not in favor if it. I am NOT:
Do something to get some business down there for the merchants:::
Well, if we can draw people, he will have to take his chances
to .get customers out of the people when they get there.
Mr. Ch nney: Well, that is just what I said! You hz;ve had them downtown,
and you haven't got a merchant who won't tell you that you
haven't helped his business any.
Mrs. Allen:
Mr. Chonney:
Mr. Wiggins:
Mr. By
The fact that you just had a little stage - -a little make -shift
stage for people to operate on. It really doesn't draw the
type of people that would go in and shop. If you have a good
stage up where people can see, and you can have a regular pro-
duction-- sometimes open -air symphonies -- people might come
down and really increase the business.
I go with you there, but there are a lot of poor people that
come down and spend their money too. We don't need to.put up
a stage for the rich people.
Well, partly, I suppose, we ought to have some idea on what kinds
of costs we are talking about here. What are the alternates?
11: I will call on Tom Oesterling. He is here.
loffim
8. PUBLIC HEARING (Cont'd
Mr. Oe terling: We have cost estimates for.three proposals shown. I might add
that Clyde E. Williams & Associates and Environmental Planning
and Design, joint venture, recommended Plan A, for the only
reason of being within the budget that Redevelopment Department
set for us to be °within limitation, so with Site A, that is
within the budget that-is available that the Department of
Redevelopment has to spend, so based on that, we did recommend
Study A.
If the budget were available,we would recommend Site Study 'D.'
Our approval has been through the great leadership of Mr. Lou
Wilcox. I think he has done an excellent job last year of pro -
moting activities in the Mall area and we concur. He and the
River Bend Advisory Committee sees the need of something, a
drawing card to draw people downtown, and he -needs a 'People
Place' which admittedly was not really in the original concept
of the design. We didn't have that fact in mind and very few, if
any, are designed in the country that way. This is really a new
idea and it is a good idea, so with that preliminary then I can
review the costs. I will briefly go over the total costs- -not
any particulars.
Study 'D' could run from a minimum of $770,000 to $1,465,000.
Again, the reason for the range in 'the plans is the difference between
a Chevrolet and a Cadillac perhaps, and for a minimum price of
$180,000 the stage would be a sinSle unit and at"the Advisory Com-
mittee meeting they advised a two -stage and we would recommend that
as a minimum also, and the more multiple levels you can have of a
stage, the more and better use you can make it, but as we have
more multiple stages, it would cost more.
Again, at the minimum cost of the roof over the stage at $130,000
it would be a simple truss with built -up roof on a standard support
system, and again that could range from $130,000 to $310,000 depending
on the degree of completeness or appearance that you would want on it.
This stage does not include auxiliary space for office, dressing
rooms, toilets and storage areas. In particular, we have utilities
under there and have studied this in depth, and went to the scope
of providing a dressing room and office space -like or storage facili-
ties underneath that stage. It would increase the cost of relocating
the utilities. Well, it would be almost impossible. We have two
combined sewers; we have one storm sewer in there; we have a gas line
which can be moved; we have a water line which can be moved - -not much
of a problem. With this concept, we do have a major problem with
the I &M primary duct lines which involves considerable cost of re-
location, that's included in the figures. If ,this concept, or any
concept, we recommend that an auxiliary space for office be leased
by the Redevelopment Commission, or whoever is in control, for this
need. That would be true of both of those Alternates.
Alternate 'A' above would cost in total of $442,000 to $645,000- -
again depending upon degrees of complexity and desirability of the
canopy.
8. PU$LIC HEARING (Cont'd
Mr. Brewnell:
Mr.
Mr. So'
Mr. Oe!
Mrs. A'
terling:
Itesz:
The.note on the.•schematic here says, 'For large bands or symphony
a portable platform (several heights) is suggested. Service and
emergency access under canopy.over stage.'
The stage area is between the two clumps of trees and its longi-
tudinal axes is parallel with the center line. (Designated in
yellow, and is more or less in center). That is a depressed stage
of about two feet from the surface of the present street area.
There are four benched areas where people could sit -- could accom-
modate-. 800 to 1,000 people--and then we have standing room for
people under trees, etc., for about 1:,500 to 2,000 people. This
seems to be in range that the people came up with this idea are
looking for as far as capacity is concerned.
Are there dressing rooms? Any dressing facilities?
;terling: Not with this proposal. With these proposals, there would have to
be an auxiliary.
Ilen: Where did you say the fire engines would go?
Mr. Oe terling: The fire engines would go underneath the stage area (where the red
lines are designated on the drawing through the cross section).
Mr. Wi gins: Risers would have to be set up then. You would have problems with
storage with the risers.
Mr. Br�wnell: The stage would be at sidewalk level.
Mr. 04 terling: Right. This would all have to be reviewed by the Fire Department.
Mr. Fa%rand: The snorkel unit can go under that canopy?
Mr. Oe terling: Yes. It is the same height as what we have on the River Bend
Plaza.
Mr. Wibgins:
Alternate 'B' is basically our original concept of design. The
total cost for that minimum range from $460,000 to $550,000. All
this includes the sound system as the Commission wishes.
Now on the top alternate, the canopies over the stage would not
only carry the sound system, but also would carry the lighting?
Mr. Oe terling: That is correct.
Mr. Wiggins: In your presentation of this Plan with the hydraulic stage, you
speak of a trestle area that would carry the sound and lighting,
I assume?
Mr. Oe�sterling: Correct.
- 20 -
8. PUBLIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Mrs. Allen: That would be an extension just like the covered walkways now,
as I understand it.. To go there across the street. The canopies
that are already over the sidewalks; this would be the same thing
exactly- -the canopies:
Mr. Oe terling: Right. Except 'these canopies along the sidewalks are linear,
although they are totally now linear. These are straight lines.
In the original concept, we had-zig -zag that you didn't like.
Mrs. Allen: I compliment you on the straight line. This would be the same
canopy, same expense, more or less, that you have on the Jeffer-
son Street, at.the intersection, right?
Mr. Oe terling: Yes, it could be something of that nature. The cheapest one
would be with a built -up roof in lieu of what ...
Ms. De beck: With a hydraulic lift, where would the audience...would the
audience have to stand?
Mr. Wiggins: Yes.
Ms. De beck: If you are really having anything worthwhile, such as putting
on the stage, isn't that asking a lot? Asking the audience to
stand for an hour or two? The people would have to bring their
own chairs.
Mr. Wi�Cox: We were talking in terms of having storage space under the stage
for the storage of chairs for the seating arrangements.
Ms. Derbeck: They would have to be carried.
Mr. Wilcox: Well, we have to do that now, in anything we do now. The people
are standing now because they have no place to sit on the finished
part. There are plenty of people and all the benches are occupied.
Wiggins, Soltesz and I took a walk this morning at 9:30 and the
benches were taken.
Mr. Brownell: Anyone else have questions?
Mrs. Allen: I am questioning the number of trees which adds to the cost of the
fancy brick bases and questioning whether we are going to have the
same situation on narrow Michigan Street where you have to watch
where you are going. On a Mall you should be able to stroll freely,
and if you put those things like you have at the bus stop, so you
have to watch where you are going- -two of you cannot generally
walk between them.
I would question, if you eliminate six trees - -three from each end- -
or even four trees - -at each end, it would cut down on the cost be-
cause of the base for the planters and you wouldn't need to crowd
the thing with that. Anyway, leave open space for people to walk
through.
- 21 -
8. PU�LIC HFARING'.(Cont'd)
Ms. Dei beck:
I have a question that relates to possible future cost. If you go
into the expensive-hydraulic stage; as Janet brought out, this
might be worthwhile if you could bring in good things, as symphonies,
etc. I am wondering how many tood things like that you can get for
nothing. How many good plays, °symphonies and entertainment and
really good ones you can get for nothing. Is the City going to
go into that type of expense? Furthermore, they would have,
at least, probably have to pay the expenses of putting on the pro -
duction and where is the money'going to come from to really put on
good production,if you are-not goinc to get good things -- something
better--then it is really not worthwhile.
Mr. Br wnell: That is a good question.
Mr. So tesz: I would like to address to that. Lou Wilcox has had many and varied
requests from some professional groups who perform on the Plaza- -
semi- professional.
Ms. De}beck: What do you mean by semi- professional?
Mr. So�tesz:
Ms. De beck:
Mr. So tesz:
Mr. Ch
ey:
Semi - professional on the basis they.are not in the profession per -
forming full time for a living.
Give an example of semi- professional.
In our community, for example, a semi- professional would be such as
the Presbyterian Players. They are not at it for a full -time living.
There have been groups within the community who have made the re-
quests from Wilcox for the use of the stage that have been set up all
year long, and Mr. Chenney, I am sorry you did not know, and you were
not aware of the fact that we had a stage set up all last year.
I was aware of it. I did not say I was not aware of it.
Mr. So tesz: It was occupied by many semi- professional groups, from Notre Dame,
St. Mary's, and 'probably the Indiana University and all the other
groups have performed on it. It was very on -going and it was ac-
cepted by the community, the Media had picked up the performances
and the accolades that were given to them.
The stage in a concept that was brought out, and once again, Mr.
Chenney, I speak of the business people in the area. They happen
to be sitting here in this room, and the Chairman of the Downtown
Business Council was one of the people who sat in the same room
with Mr. Oesterling, myself, and the rest of the people on the
River Bend Advisory Committee, that made the motion to designate
the necessity that we have such a type of -facility to brine, people
downtown to give recognition of the fact that it is a 'People
Place' which was one of the instruments of vehicles to be used
in that manner, and Mr. Hub Getzinger, who is sitting here to my
left, and I am sure that Mr. Hub Getzinger will speak for himself.
- 22 -
8. POBLIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Mr. S ltesz On the question raised, as.to whether it is necessary or designated
(Cont'd): pro and con on the Committee, and ft has come on as a designate of
the Committee, as Lou Wilcox.has said here this morning. Insofar
as the costs, I would like to address this to Mr. Oesterling: Once
again, the cost of the stage = -1 have a figure of $37,000. When we
speak of the canopies,'Mr. Oesterl ng to go from one side of the
street to the other, it wasn't the ornate canopy that we speak of
here. There was no difference from the canopies that we now have
in the existing'facil'ity on R =66, nor the canopies that we now
have on the east and west side. That same canopy, on the hydraulic,
was to contain the lighting that would be necessary for the stage.
This stage is not of the complexity most people seem to think that
it is. Everybody in'this room has gone to -a filling station and
had their car greased or oil changed. Now, this is exactly what
the concept is all about.
Now, the excavation- -and I am'not'an engineer the excavation that
is necessary for this stage is less than three feet, so it doesn't
disturb any of the existing facilities. The cost is very minimal.
Now, someone has come up with a cost figure of $15,000 annual
expense for this stage. I don't know where that figure came from- -
because the schematic that was given to Mr. Oesterling, and here
is the same schematic on the hydraulic-- the total price of the
single unit, as he described here, was $5,000 in material, the
split system (a two -stage system), and the 30 x 60 being split
was $7,000 using and including the 1610 steel tubing. The platform
is there. They contain a suhstructure or all materials to be used
on the surface for the street, amounted to a total of $10,000; and
I know that Mr. Oesterling and the people from Pittsburgh (Environ-
mental Planning and Design), were amazed as to what we had suggested,
because they couldn't find any area in the country who had anything
of this nature. It was new and innovative.
I sat here this morning and things were quite innovative also, be-
cause a bid process that was laid out here, for example, of possibly
a 10% plus figure of an award that was made.
I ask a question of Mr. Oesterling as to what the cost of the
stage was vs. any of the other facilities, and he said, $200,000.
Am I correct, Mr. Oesterling?
Mr. Oesterling: Yes.
Mr. So tesz: The stage itself, as the unit was described. Now, there is quite
a variance between $200,000 and $37,000; and,'yet' we went from
one order of award here this morning on a particular project of a
'Nine (9) plus figure' and gave it to the lowest bidder. Yet,
we have now a 'Nine (9) plus' over'the item of what we have sug-
gested and it`wasn't.the expertise of all the engineers. An
engineering firm submitted it as people who have to pay for these
things and have to pay for the taxes, and all of these items
that the people of this community seem to think that they want.
now, I am not going to be dogmatic on the stand that this is
what we need. This was just a suggestion, but not to over - simplify
this particular thing, and it is very simple. It isn't all that
great:
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8. PUBLIC HEARING (Cont'd
Mr. Soltesz
(Cont'd):
Ms.
Because a suggestion was first made on the first on -sight of
this for a 30 x 30 stage, and then someone on the Committee
suggested that we have an area that a full orchestra can per-
form, and so it was changed to a'30 x 60. It doesn't have to
be 30 x 60. It can be 30 x 30, because the same stage that we
use, which was set up by the Park Department, was used for
each and every performance we had Tast year and has been set -
ting there permanently.
This is something that raises up. It does not have to go to
six foot; it can go to four foot and recede back down to street
level and maintenance would be very, very minimal.
As Mr. Wiggins pointed out here, 'All that someone needs to do
is to read the instructions,' and to go one step further, the
interest that arised over this particular unit we have, that
the manufacturers, within this community, were willing to donate
all their manufactured items to kick the oil in free float if
the necessity would avail itself to the use of the stage in
the winter time as of no charge to them, and you compare all
the items and do your homework and you try to compare this
against a $200,000 figure vs. a $37,000 figure is pretty long
for me to understand. I am not - -as I said I wasn't an engineer- -
and I can't comprehend this jump in price.
eck: How did you get your price?
Mr. Chenney: Who did you get your price from?
Mr. Schrager: Where did you get your figure from? Where did you get yours?
You have a serious estimate, you should say.
Mr. Soltesz: From the people who build these things; by their exercise of
making a living.
Mr. Chenney: I know you said raise it hydraulically, but..
Mr. Butler: Can you raise it?
Mr. Soltesz: Two feet, three feet -- whatever is necessary - -a maximum of
six feet. Yes.
Mr. Ch nney: You said it would only require three feet excavation. How the
'hell' are you going to get cylinders down for an hydraulic
lift?
Mr. Soltesz: You don't need cylinders down there because they are multiple
cylinders and they intercede themselves; consequently, you
have four stages, five stages of cylinders, Mr. Chenney, and
it doesn't take very much space.
You asked a question, Mr. Chenney, are you satisfied with the
answer?
Mr. Chenney: No, I'm not satisfied. I have to figure it out myself. I still
think you need more than three feet in the ground.
- 24 -
8. PU LIC HEARING Cont'd)
Ms. Dejbeck: If you want to name ...
Mr. So tesz: I wouldn't care, at this time, to name anyone. It would be
fantastic to put anybody's name on it - -with a $37,000 figure,
vs. the $200,000.
Mr. Ch nney: We should have it, as we are discussing it here. We should
have some figures from you from the engineers, or somebody, so
we know who is talking about this proposal of $37,000.
Mr. So tesz: Are you ready to accept a bid on this now, Mr. Chenney?
Mr. Ch nney: No. No. We haven't the money. We don't have the money anyway.
Mr. So tesz: Mr. Chenney, let me say this, when you have a definite proposal
up for a bid, you will have local bidders for this particular
issue.
Mr. Butler: Will they require a share of that as for an Alternate, or are
these people prepared to bid on the entire thing.
Mr. So tesz: On the stage, is all I am speaking of.
Mrs. Allen: I think it should be pointed out that the top figure of $200,000
includes an eight- section, doesn't it? You had a multiple- -how
far up does the $200,000 go?
Mr. Oe terlinc: We haven't figured an alternate. We have a figure of $180,000
to $600,000 for the stage.
Mrs. Allen: Yes, and how many sections?
Mr. Oe terling: That could range from one section to eight units.
Mrs. Allen: One to eight - -so I think teat that should be changed- -you know,
we are only asking for two.
Mr. Ch nney: You people can go ahead and talk all you want to, but I am only
going to question one thing: All you people here, where are you
going to get the money to do this? We haven't got the money.
Where are you going to get the money to do it? Who's going to
put up the money to do it?
Mr. So test: If you don't have the money -- if you will read the minutes of
the River Bend Plaza Advisory meeting of May 6, 1975 - Ed Soltesz
made the motion 'that any recommendation regarding thE! site
studies, be tabled by the Committee, until a definite determina-
tion could be made regarding the funds currently 'available for
the completion of the Plaza.' when this particular item came up.
My friend, Allen Schrager, seconded the Motion. I followed
through exactly with what you are saying -- if we don't have the
money, we don't have to go ahead with proposing anything; but if
we have the money, then it is our suggestion. Am I right, Mr.
Schrager?
Mr. Sc rager: Yes.
-25-
8. PU LIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Ms. D
Mr. B
Ms. D
Mr. B
Ms. D
Mr. B
eck: How much money do you have available?
nell:
eck:
nel1:
eck:
nell:
Mr. Schrager:
Mr. Solltesz:
How much money do we have available? That is 'a very difficult
question to answer.
How much do you have?
That is a very difficult question to answer and I do not propose
to answer it right now.
Why?
It requires a Tittle bookkeeping to answer it. We had a lot
of claims that went through today.
The only thing I would like to say - -It would be nice, as Mr. Wade
said earlier, if we could all be driving a Cadillac- -maybe we
should mention Continental's too! It would be real nice to have
an hydraulic stage, with a roof overhead, but the thing that really
WORRIES me is IF we have the money! 'That's what worries me.
To my way of thinking, it would be real'nice to have this stage,
but I would rather have the Plaza done and have something, than
have nothing -- and, maybe, instead of spending $200,000 for the
stage -- Wheeew! -- or $37,000.
Thank you -- so we get this straight:
Mr. Schrager: I don't care WHAT you spend! If the superblock doesn't go through,
we are going to have to finish that block and we are going to have
to have more money for that. Now, WHERE is that money going to
come from?
Mr. Wil gins:
Ms. DE
Well, you have an excellent question. The amount of money that
we have had advanced from the Federal Government we have, and
any additional funds would have to come out of the community, be-
cause I don't think there is any possibility of changing the scope
of this project to include any more Federal funds and that cannot
be changed. We might as well be realistic about it.
ck: You must have a rough idea of how much money you have?
Mr. Br wnell: We can determine precisely how much Federal money we have.
Mr. Butler: We have a number of calls for the money that we have, Jeanne.
The problem is determining it with respect to priorities.
Mr. Br wnell: $169,000 but I don't remembE!r the cents, Jeanne. Does that help
you! I don't know if it does or not.
Ms. De beck: Is that available for this?
Mr. Br wnell: No, that is NOT available for this, but you asked me how much we
have and I answered you, because you kept pressing the question.
And, it doesn't mean anything when I tell you about it.
-26-
8. PU LIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Ms. De beck: Do you have other claims?
Mr. Bu ter:
Mr. Br wnell:
Mrs. A len:
Mr. Br wnell:
Many.
Yes, and $251,000 -- out of the $169,000 -- goes to pay the
interest on the Notes.
May I mention the $4 Million you had to do the WHOLE THING:
The whole thing?
Mrs. Allen: Yes.
Mr. Br wnell: Well, some of it; it was spent.
Mrs. Allen: It was spent and that was supposed to have finished these two
blocks. Those two blocks were included in the original proposal
and it went,from $2 Million to $4 Million.
Mr. Wiggins: The original proposal was made prior. Inflation and all the
other factors that got involved in this you see, and we have had
to deal with the situation as it really °is,'and not as we had hoped
it would be.
Mr. Br wnell: I don't want to mislead you that we are broke; that isn't true.
We wouldn't be talking about the Plaza if we didn't think we could
do it.
Mr. Sc rager: Don't you have enough money left from the Bond issue to finish
this one block - -about $450,000?
Mr. Br wnell: I think we do. It is just the internal workings with HUD and
the handling of the financing of the Notes and the interest, etc. It
is a little complicated.
Mr. Butler: Wayne, I think also on the many calls on the budget- -Plazo Park
contract that was awarded today and the Dredging contract was
awarded today, and all of these are various calls on money.
Mr. Br wnell: Approximately $278,000 on one contract and about $47,000 on the
other. These are all calls on our money that we have to take into
account. We will have some more money coming from HUD in July.
Mr. Wiggins: One of the things this Commission is going to have to deal with
concerning the additional work that is:done on the Plaza is the
fact that there has been a big request for internal parking on the
Plaza, if what I have been reading,in the paper is correct.
I think the situation is, responding in some measure on this,
change, maybe, for which plans haven't all been developed at
this time. Further on down in this same area, we are talking
about it and could have som( contingency upon this in terms of
the construction of the stage or similar facilities We have to
bear.in' mind that it would have to be of such a`scope and such
an expense item that it would be compatible with the kind of use
- 27 -
8. P BLIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Mr. Wiggins that it would have, and as Ed pointed out, it's scope within the
(Cont' ): community, and principally, I'think educational institutions of
the community who might be looking for'a:place to show their
talents or demonstrate what they can do. These groups can and
do put on some very good worthwhile watching performances, but
they are not the sort of groups seen'in the_Broadway League show-
ing at the Morris, nor can you reasonably expect to get into that
area, because how in the world are you going to confine it and
charge people to see it, and this is for a free kind of thing
that brings people into the area. Now, whether or not the mer-
chants in the Downtown Area are able to capitalize on the people,
on the traffic that is generated as a result of these activities,
is largely up to them. This is something that they have to do --
the guy who is sharp on the ball- -sharp on merchandising,, will
get the crowds and he will get his share of the people, and the
one who sits back and waits for the people to come to him to get
his merchandising from him will be sitting there for a long time,
because it just doesn't happen that way. We have got to have this
on the basis that's reasonable to start with, that it is easily
maintained. We must have something that is easily maintained.
If you look at this and try to compare it with something like the
A.C.C., we just are not dealing with the same kind of terms. They
have to have that thing booked a lot of days of the year just to
come out even, and the City cannot be put in that kind of a posi-
tion, as it just is not feasible. They are talking about the
kind of things where you charge admission and you get revenue to
offset the costs and we do not have any way of accomplishing that.
So, this is what we have to deal with, and if it gets real involved
and an expensive kind of operation that requires a lot of expense
in the maintenance of keeping it up, it just is not in the cards
and it won't happen, so you might as well accept that in the
beginning because these are part of the terms. This is part of
the reality.
Mr. Ch nney: I don't believe the businessmen got that much out of it. You show
me.
Last year, when you had the big doings in that block you are
talking about. All right. You go out and ask all those merchants
how much business they got. The only ones that: got any business
out of all those doings was this guy out there with the hot dog
stand and the ice cream stand that you gave a spot on the Plaza
to - -that the city set up in business. 'He is the only one who got
the business. That's the only one you helped out.
We have to think of the merchants. We have to do something for
them to get some business. I might be dumb,.but I,just want to
help the businessmen out. I read the papers! And I' know some of
these businessmen and you can't tell me they got so much help
out there. Now, that is all there is to it. You can go and preach
how much they got. You show me they got anything out of it that
amounted to anything. I'm an ornery " son -of -a -gun.'
8. PUBLIC HEARING (Cont'd)
Ms. De beck: Professional groups when they put on a production, they have
costs. They have ticket sales that help pay for their produc-
tion. Are they going to be willing to come down free?
Mr. Soll tesz:
Mr.
The amount of money being spent, there are grants being made
every month on schedule for these things, and plenty of people
who have been in the League informing these people are avail -
able under Federal sponsorship for this type of demonstration
that you are asking about, and when you are talking about semi-
professional, you asked and I am telling you, Jeanne. I am
not a critic.
ney: We will adjourn discussion on this for the next meeting, when
we have the full Commission.
9. LETTER OF RESIGNATION
Brownell advised we have a letter of resignation (in packets) from
ward D. Lark, effective May 23, 1975. He is taking a position as
rector of Human Relations Commission, in Elkhart.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins that we accept the letter of resignation
and wish Mr. Lark well on his new position. Motion seconded by Mr. Wade
and carried.
10. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING
e next Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission will be at
1 :00 a.m., Friday, June 6, 1975, in the Office of they Department of
development.
11. PATE CHANGE OF COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, JULY 4
pproval was requested to have the Commission Meeting, Thursday, July 3,
1 75, in lieu of Regular Meeting scheduled for Friday, July 4th (holiday),
at 10:00 a.m.
Motion was made by.Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Wade and carried to
change the above meeting to: Thursday, July 3, 1975.
12. REPORT ON PROGRESS WITH RIVER BEND DEVELOPMENT GROUP
. Allen Schrager raised the question that he believed Mr. Butler was
to give a report at this meeting on the progress'he is making on the
negotiations with the River Bend Development Group. In the Special
Commission Meeting of April 29 Legal Counsel had said that either on
May 9 or today, he would give a basic report.
Butler replied that he thinks the statement at the April 29th meet-
ing was that Mr. Brownell and he would report either on the 9th or today,
and the basic report was on the 9th of May.
Mr. Schrager asked if he is still negotiating with this group? Mr. Butler
said, "Not really negotiating. They are putting their costs in order and
I believe we concluded we would not assign the bidder or anything of that
sort.
-29-
13. ADJOURNMENT
T�ere being no further discussion, motion was duly made by Mr. Wade,
s conded by Mr. Wiggins and carried, for adjournment at 11:46 a.m.
C. Wa
(SEAL)
eil, Lxecutive
- 30 -
President