HomeMy WebLinkAboutSM 06-27-75June
10:00
Presic
1.
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
7, 1975
A. M. 1200 County -City Building
ling Officer: Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, 217 West Jefferson Blvd.
President South Bend, Indiana 46601
Tie South Bend Redevelopment Commission, Governing Body of the City
of South Bend, Department of Redevelopment, met in a Special Meeting,
ii Room 1200, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Boulevard, in
tie City of South Bend, at 10:00 a.m., E.S.T., on the 27th day of
J ne, 1975- -the place, hour, and date, duly established for the hold -
i g of such meeting.
ie President called the meeting to order and the Commissioners were
^esent for the roll call:
Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President
Mr. John E. Chenney, Vice President
Mr. Donald A. Wiggins, Secretary
Mr. A. Peter Donaldson, Member
O�e vacancy exists on the Board of Commissioners with the resignation
o Mr. B. L. Wade.
al Counsel: Mr.
s Media: Ms.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Kevin J. Butler
Nancy Sulok, South Bend Tribune Reporter
Dave Anderson, WNDU -TV Reporter
James L. Marchelewicz, WNDU -TV Photographer
Dan Caesar, WSBT -TV Reporter
C. R. Wallace, WSBT -TV Photographer
Larry Ford, WSJV -TV Reporter
Les Howard, WSJV -TV Photographer
;hers Present: Mr. Roland A. Kelly, Secretary, Board of Trustees
Mrs. Janet S. Allen, Interested Citizen
Mr. Allan C. Bloomquist, First Bank & Trust Co.
Mr. D. Joe Dickman, Interested Citizen
Mr. Joseph G. Donlon, Architect
Mr. Gene Evans, South Bend Civic Planning Assn.
Mr. Hubert Getzinger, Chairman, Downtown South
Bend Council
Mr. Thomas Gibson, St. Joseph River Bend Develop-
ment Corporation
Mr. John R. Kagel, Executive Director, Downtown
South Bend Council
Mr. Leon C. Maenhout, Architect
Mr. Gordon E. Medlock, International Constructors Co.
- 1 -
1. Others Present
2.
Mr. Eli D. Miller, Governmental Affairs, South
Bend- Mishawaka Area Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Harrison Miller, Interested Citizen
Mr. Allen E. Schrager, Interested Citizen
Mr. Douglas Simpson, River Bend Plaza Office
Miss "Ralph" Carol Snyder, American Freedom Train,
Washington, D. C.
Mr. Edward F. Soltesz, Chairman, Governmental Coordina-
tion Committee of River Bend Plaza Advisory
Committee
Mr. Lloyd S. Taylor, St. Joseph River Bend Development
Corporation
LIA Staff: Mr. C. Wayne Brownell
Ms. Helen S. King
'PROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Keith P. Crighton
Mr. William J. Parrish
tion was made by Mr. Wiggins to approve the Minutes of the Regular MINUTES
eting of June 20, 1975, as distributed, seconded by Mr. Donaldson APPROVED
d carried.
3. E SEMENTS RELATIVE TO BLOCK 6 AREA, CENTRAL DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL
P OJECT, INDIANA-R =66:
Mr. C. Wayne Brownell, Executive Director, Department of RE!develop-
m nt, read the letter from Indiana & Michigan Electric Company,
ip its entirety, which is dated June 25, 1975, to Mr. Thomas A.
0 sterling, Clyde E. Williams & Associates, Inc., engineering con-
sultant, regarding the above subject.` He showed the designated
a eas on the map.
a
followinc easements located within the area known as Block 6
not being used by Indiana & Michigan Electric Company and will
released of record upon the written request from the South Bend
artment of Redevelopment or its assigns:
1) Easement granted by Bertha Irvin Sellers, December 9,
.1937, and recorded in Book 301, page 87, St. Joseph
County Recorder's office.
2) Easement granted by Herbert A. Goltz, et al., April 9,
1964, and recorded in Book 651, page 145.
3) Vacation Resolution 2696, dated December 31, 1951, for
a portion of Columbia Street and granted subject to
public utilities.
4) Easements granted to I &M Electric Company by George and
Anna C. Whiteman on February 18, 1905, recorded in Misc.
Record "K ", page 184, and September 27, 1905, recorded
in Misc. Record "K ", page 331, and an easement granted
by David Bentz and Lawrence E. Daly, December 30, 1954,
recorded in Book 544, page 107, were granted to accommo-
date facilities being used for thE: St. Joseph River cress-
ing to the area.
-2-
EASEMENTS,
BLOCK 6
AREA, R -66
3.
EASEMENTS RELATIVE TO BLOCK 6 AREA (Cont'd)
M-. Brownell advised the above easements, noted as 1), 2), and 3),
a e not in use and I &M has agreed to release them of record upon
r quest from us. On easement, noted as 4) the facilities could
b relocated to Monroe Street and Edgewater Drive in thE: public
r ad right -of -way if agreeable with governmental agencies. Relo-
c tion could be completed by June, 1976, at the latest. If timE!
i of importance, relocation could be completed six months from
t is date and the easements released of record.
It letter to the Indiana & Michigan Electric Company, dated June
2(, 1975, Mr. Brownell requested the release of record the ease -
m (nts noted as 1), 2), and 3); and the easement noted as 4), which
UM is using for tre St. Joseph River crossing, we will . investi -
g to and advise. The 4th easement has been discussed with Mr.
J m Seitz, Superintendent of the Park Department, as to whether
t is will create any difficulty for the Park Department in operating
tie Plaza Park if left there, or desire to have them relocated if
i will cause any difficulty. Mr. Seitz didn't think it will cause
a y difficulty. Mr. Brownell advised after he receives this inforrra-
t on from Mr. Seitz he will relay it to the Commission. The 4th is
a overhead tower with lines going across the river that is in the
c rner of the Plaza Park plan with a small fence around it.
mmissioner Wiggins, asked if there are any other utilities in the
ea, and Mr. Brownell advised there is none that he knew of; the
ly one that was in the area was relocated onto Jefferson Street.
diana Bell and American Telephone & Telegraph have given up any
sements they had.
esident Nimtz felt it would be appropriate that we dirEct a letter
the Indiana & Michigan Electric Company thanking them for their
operation in this matter with the Commission.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Donaldson and carried,
that the Executive Director write the letter to Indiana & Michi!gan
E ectric Company thanking them for their continued cooperation in re-
leasing these easements.
Mr. Brownell had said that this information on the easements being
there and are being vacated was brought out this morning to explain
to the bidders, if any. We do not have any bids, as yet, on Block
6--l. The bid opening is in this meeting, and set for 10:30 a.m.,
as advertised. Mr. Dan Caesar, reporter for WSBT -TV, asked if the
easements will in any way invalide the bids as they are received
here this morning, as apparently the bidders, if there are bidders,
did not know about them, and the question was referred by the Chair
to Commission Legal Counsel to answer. Mr. Butler said he didn't
think it would automatically invalidate the bids. If the bidders
w ren't aware of it and feel it is adverse to their bid, they could
c nceivably ask that their bid be withdrawn. The easements, as
n ted, are a matter of public record.
MME
4. AMfERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN:
My. John R. Kagel, Executive Director, Downtown South Bend Council,
s id at one of the previous meetings, this Commission had placed
ar action on the table in reference to the American Freedom Train,
as it relates to the City's Bicentennial Commission and provided
o fice space for their use. Miss "Ralph" Carol Snyder is here from
t4 American Freedom Train, Washington, D.C.; and was introduced- -
p eferring "Ralph ", as part of the Women's Lib.
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ss Snyder said, "Actually, I would like to take this opportunity
thank everyone for the office space, and the town has been just
solutely fantastic working with me the whole way. ThC unbelievable
operation of the River Bend Plaza area is something I have not seer;
fore in any other City I have been in, and I think that you are
ing a fantastic job here in South Bend and I would just like to
ank you now."
. Kagel advised the Freedom Train is going to be parked at its
arest point to the downtown South Bend's River Bend Plaza, at the
rner of Angela and Michigan Street. There are some 24 cars. It is
ite a historic occasion for our community. Miss Snyder said the
ckets are being sold at the Montgomery Ward Stores in South Bend,
les, Elkhart, Plymouth and LaPorte; all the Burger Dairy Stores;
1 branches of the American National Bank & Trust Company; and our
ver Bend Plaza office. The tickets are $2.00 for adults; $1.00
r persons 18 and under, and all adults 65 and over; and children
der three will be admitted free. The tickets must be purchased
r a particular day. If there is a weather problem or anything
ke that, the tickets will be accepted for another day. They have
,620 tickets for three days. The Freedom Train will be open from
DO a.m. to 10:00 p.m., July 14 through 16, on the tracks behind St.
seph's High School.
Kagel added the citizens of Off community of SOUth Bend and Misha-
a that are served by the South Bend Public Transporation Corporation
going to be urged, if at all possible, to ride buses to the: Freedom
in. They will be providing bias service, as the parking situation
re will be critical to a point. The public will be able to ride
South Bend Public Transporation Corporation's buses right to the
e with very little walking and there will be frequent service back
forth. The buses can be boarded on the main arteries and transfer
regular express buses. The 'details are being worked out and are
o trying to get an overflow parking facility at Notre Dame -- hoping
have shuttle buses.
BUSINESS
Receipt of sealed offers for purchase of parcel designated as
Disposition Parcel No. 6 -1, situated in the Central Downtown
Project, R -66: The hour of 10:30 a.m. arrived - -the time set
for the receipt of sealed offers for the purchase of said parcel
of land, and legally advertised in The South Bend Tribune and
Tri- County News, on May 30 and June 6, 1975. The advertisements
and certifications were duly noted.
- 4 -
5. N :W BUSINESS (Cont'd
President Nimtz asked if anyone else had any bids to turn in.
There were no further bids and the Chair asked Mr. Brownell
to check at the Receptionist's desk to see whether any sealed
offers may have been left there. There being none, President
Nimtz requested Mr. Brownell to open the sealed envelopes he
has received. Those being:
1) The bid is from the St. Joseph River Bend Development Corpo-
ration, in the amount of $651,111.00. Attached to the bid
is an Irrevocable Letter of Credit from the St. Joseph Bank
& Trust Company, in the amount of $65,11`1.00. The proposal
is enclosed and signed; the narrative description is enclosed;
:the Affidavit of Non - Collusion by the Developer is signed and
notarized; Part I of the Redeveloper's Statement for Public
Disclosure is filled out and signed, attached to that is the
Statement of Public Disclosure; background information is at-
tached; and Part II is filled out which is not for public dis-
closure; and attached to the bid are two aerial photographs
of the Block 6 area. The principal's signature is Donald S.
Esmont, Secretary.
2) This bid is in response to our public offering of Disposition
Parcel 6 -1, by International Constructors Company, signed by
Mr. Gordon E. Medlock, Sr. Mr. Medlock requested Mr. Brownell
to read the letter for the public to understand its contents.
Mr. Brownell read the three -page letter, in its entirety.
The letter stated they are publicly reconfirming their inter-
est in submitting a fully responsive bid when their proposed
development ce.n be approved. They have prepared additionzl
details in their prcposed development, plans for financing,
ownership and completion dates for our confidential review.
Public disclosure at this time could jeopardize their com -,
petitive position if they were given the bidding opportunity
they requested.
The letter further states, "We again urge you to proceed with
the requested change in land use immediately, rejecting any
and all bids received at this time, for reasons most important
to the future and economic welfare of downtown South Bend."
No other bids were received.
Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins that the bid from St. Joseph River
Bend Development Corporation, in the amount of $651,111.00, and
the communication with the accompanying documents from International
Constructors Company, be received by the Commfssion and be submitted
to the Commissioners' attorney and staff to review necessary process-
ing and report back to the Commission. Mr. Donaldson seconded the
motion and carried unanimously. A copy of said communication is at-
tached to the official minutes.
- 5 -
5. NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd)
Mr. Lloyd S. Taylor handed out a short Press Release and gave the
following presentation outlining the development areas on the
schematic. He identified himself as being with the St. Joseph
Bank and Trust Company, but that he is here as a spokesman for
the St. Joseph River Bend Development Corporation:
This is a group of eleven (11) men from the business and
industrial sectors of the community, who submitted this.
bid for Block 6 -1, the downtown redevelopment project.
The plans of this Corporation call for the construction- -
on the northern -most part of this site - -of a restaurant,
[a first -class dining facility with adequate parking],
with the possibility of having some rather small meeting
rooms and banquet-type facilities. The dining facility
would be constructed on 2.11 acres at the north end of
the site. The restaurant would be designed to fit in
architecturally with the Century Center and the proposed
Plaza Park along the River.
Immediately south of the restaurant site to the easement
where the pedestrians have access to the bridge, this group
would propose to develop what we would term as an 'office
park.' This would be relatively small office buildings --
one to two stories in heighth - -with prestigious -type offices
of accountants, attorneys, mortgage banking firms- -that
type of professional offices and they would have their own
parking facilities, with the interior screened from the
street. Some of the offices would face on the Plaza Park
and some would face the street. These would be, in general,.
single- tenant occupancies, giving all of those ingredients
of the downtown offices that are not presently available
in the single office, which is the identity and also a very
nice view of the river and have parking. This 'office park'
would be built on 7.17 acres of the site.
They propose the development of the drive -in banking facility
at the northeast corner of Monroe and Columbia -- planned for
one acre of land.
The major office building would be constructed on 3.5 acres
of land along Columbia Street and would be reserved for
bringing into South Bend some type of a major paper - processing
operation. We are talking about a regional insurance process-
ing center; something of this type. Their group would go out
and actively recruit that type of businesses coming into
South Bend. They are a major employer and a lot of these
facilities are being moved out at the present time- -out of
.the major metropolitan areas; e.g., Prudential moving their
paper processing out of downtown Chicago. They are thinking
more in the neighborhood of 75,000 to 80,000 square feet for
that facility.
5. 1W BUSINESS (Cont'd)
They would propose the development of Section 8 elderly housing
facility on two acres on the far southeast corner of the parcel.
They have an option agreement with two firms -- Oxford Develop-
ment Company being one of those -- whereby if the St. Joseph River
Bend Development Corporation is the successful bidder on this
site and they are the successful bidder of the development of
the 200 units of Section 8 housing, they then have an agreement
whereby they would use that site.
Mr. Taylor said this now puts them in a little "bit of a crunch,"
and I know you, gentlemen, understand the reason for taking bids,
I think, today is so that these bids could be taken prior to the
taking of bids on the elderly Section 8 housing. So it is very
essential that the Redevelopment Department give prompt attention
to these bids and make some kind of a decision, at least the kind of
a decision where we can notify our optionees that they can go ahead
and submit a bid.., possibly subject to HUD approval, since: I am fully
aware that this- -any proposal we make--has to be approved by HUD,
but since HUD would be approving both proposals, I don't see that
that 'subject to' would discredit their bid. We do suggest, and
I say suggest here, because I am not fully certain it is in con-
formance with the land use, and in our proposal we state that- -
we suggest a little convenience center lying in between the major
office facility and the housing facility. This would be primarily
to service the offices and the apartments in-this facility, although,
of course, we would have some drive -in trade undoubtedly, and this
would be just a small convenience -type center - -with a delicatessen,
possibly a drug store, Laundromat possibly, a dry cleaning shop--
those types of facilities to service this area. Now, if the Com-
mission feels that is a violation of land use, we are perfectly .
willing to convert that to additional office space; although we
think in the best interest for the whole development that is neces-
sary."
Among the principals of the St. Joseph River Bend Development Corpo-
ration are South Bend businessman Jerry Hammes, contractor Eugene
Muia, and Richard A. Rosenthal, Chairman of the Board and,Chief
Executive Officer of the St. Joseph Bank and Trust Company. The
St. Joseph Bank would manage and develop the property as Trustee
for the Corporation.
Mr. Taylor informed the Commission, "Our bid was made contingent
on only one thing, and you have heard a lot about contingencies
of bid. The only contengency that we state in our bid is that the
Department. of Redevelopment proceed with the development of Block
6 -2, and that it be turned over to some governmental agency for
perpetual maintenance and care. The reason being rather natural
that this is what you said you were going to do, but we certainly
want to be sure that it is carried out.' It will be a large con-
tingency for the success of our project."
Mr. Taylor said he would be happy to answer any questions anyone
has.
- 7 -
5. NEW BUSINESS (Cont'
Commissioner Wiggins asked, "What total amount of building footage
are you talking about here? Mr. Taylor answered, "We are talking
about total development, and stated in our bid, of about $14 Million.
There would be 80,000 square feet of office space [designating the
area on the schematic] basically limited by the availability of park-
ing. There would be a restaurant facility of somewhere probably
about 10,000 to 12,000 square feet; the major office facility from
70,000 to 80,000 square feet; 200 units of housing- -about $14 Million
total."
e Chair opened the questions to the public:
Mr. Schrager asked, "If you were awarded the bid, what would be the
projected starting date? When you would be ready to build one of
the buildings ?" Mr. Taylor advised, "Undoubtedly, that would be
between six months to a year before a building can be started. The
reason I state that is that plans first have to be developed -- detailed
plans - -and be submitted to the Department of Redevelopment for approval,
and then after apprcval is given, we bid on stage take -down. That is
in conformance with the bid documents. We have our schedule all out -
lined in those bid documents when we would start each project."
In addition, Mr. Schrager asked, 'When would you estimate the total
project would be completed? How many years ?" Mr. Taylor answered,
"Five (5) years."
Mrs. Allen's question, "I an
by the post office where the
plan were reversed and have
office and the housing nearE
some life at night along the
Taylor designated thE: area i
edge equals a hundred feet,
or 800 feet from the trucks.
questioning why the: housing would be down
trucks are bound to be annoying. If the
the office building down toward the post
r the restaurant where it would bring
riverbank, rather than the office ?" Mr.
or parking for the post office, and the
so.there would be at least two blocks,
Mr. Bloomquist asked, "I was wondering, do you have reasonable, firm
commitments from the restaurant or other potential office, small
office type ?" Mr. Taylor responded their commitments are confidential,
and as to the question Mr. Bloomquist raised if they are speculative,
Mr. Taylor advised certainly with 16.3 acres, there is some speculation
involved.
T�e Chair called on Mr. Medlock if he had any remarks he may wish to make
a this time - -in rebuttal:
Mr. Medlock responded: ".Thank you very much. The only thing I would
say, in confidence, we hope we will be given an opportunity to bid
as we have requested in our letter. We have provided you with the
information now in great detail, as though we were submitting a bid
that will enable you to evaluate - -our timetable, stage take -down,
specific tenants - -in our projects, and we hope we will be given
consideration for that."
6. N XT COMMISSION MEETING
7.
Tie next Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission will be at
1):00 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 1975, in lieu of the Regular Meeting
s heduled for Friday, July 4th (holiday). [Motion for the change
ii date was made and duly passed in Commission'Meeting of May 23,
1 75].'
A JOURNMENT
T ere being no further business 'to discuss, motion was duly made
f r adjournment by Mr. Donaldson, seconded by Mr. Chenney and
c rried, at 10:55 a.m.
nell, Executive Direc
(SEA[
'Z
2, Nres
F
COMMISSION
MEETING,
THURSDAY,
7-3-75
ADJOURNMENT
a LOpieslto: Redevelopment Commissioners
Kevin J. Butler
'ATIONAL CONSTRUCTORS COMPANY
June 27, 1975
The edevelopmIent Commission
County - City Building
South Bend, Indiana
Gentlemen:
This will confirm some of the comments made to Mr. Brownell and
me bers. of your commission after the bid opening this morning,
and o add some observations and information that may be helpful.
We are most concerned to see Block 6 developed in the best interests
of the South Bend business community as a whole and to see this ac-
complished as quickly as possible with specific plans and a realistic
timetable that minimizes speculation on future developments.
We have advised Mr. Taylor that should you reject the bid of the St.
Joseph River Bend Development Corporation, we would be happy to
incl de their investors in the joint venture development of office
building requirements. We are, therefore, sending copies of this
to Messrs. Rosenthal, Hammes, and Muia to advise them fully of
this offer. Since we already have potential joint venture partners
with some specific interests, we will negotiate participating in good
faith, based on the firm space requirements and the amount of equity
investment they plan. In any event, we feel a drive -up banking facility
wour1mmerce easily be provided, as well as the previously discussed Chamber
of C space requirements.
Since their announced development plan calls for approximately 12 1/4
acres of office development, we are disappointed that some of these
requirements were not made known in response to our public announce-
ments, indicating our interest in accommodating the South. Bend business
com unity's needs. If firm space needs are not currently known, it
appe rs unwise to speculate with over 75% of Block 6 as to how much
offic space may be needed and when.
We are not trying to say that only our plan or our group should develop
�
��
JUN 2711975
1002 Lihcolnway, LaPorte, Indiana 46350 219/362 -4577 / P. 0. Box 1957, South Bend, Indiana 46634, 219/289 -7192
26 East 6th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, 513/421 -3363 / P. 0. Box 1752, Parkersburg, W. Virginia 26101, 304/485 -6561
The Redevelopment Commission
Page Two
Ju e 27; 1'975
Block 6. We are, however, saying that South Bend should not be asked
to invest their future in a program that will not be publically discussed
and that depends on future events that may or may not occur. If the
development does not occur, the bidder loses a $65, 000 deposit, while
So th Bend loses more time and up to $18 million in construction.
We recognize your tremendous responsibility. What is decided for
Block 6 now - - South Bend will live with for a lifetime. We know you
will consider the future use of Century Center, the immediate pros-
perity of downtown South Bend, and the total investment in new business
in t is area, fully weighing the viability of the two alternate plans.
Very truly. yours,
(7
2
(46 n E. Medlock, Sr.
GEU:nw
cc:
Mr. Lloyd Taylor
Mr. Richard Rosenthal
Mr. Jerry Hammes
Mr. Eugene Muia
Chamber of Commerce
Century Center
Convention Bureau
'ATIONAL CONSTRUCTORS COMPANY
Jur e 25, 1975
Cit of South Bend, Department of Redevelopment
1200 County - City Building , 227 W. Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, Indiana 46601
G eitlemen:
This will respond to your public offering of Parcel: 6 -1 advertised
Ma 27, 1975.
We were surprised and disappointed to see this offering without any
cha ge in land use designation, particularly in view of:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Our letter of April 10, 1975 ( copy attached) to Mayor Miller
with a copy to Mr. Brownell, offering to purchase the land
immediately, subject to a later change in land use and re-
questing this change.
Our letter of April 14, 1975 ( copy attached) soliciting your
cooperation in redesignating the land-use.
Your reply of April 16, 1975 ( copy attached) outlining the
procedure necessary to change the land use.
Our letter of May 8, 1975 ( copy attached) reiterating our
previous requests and including a site plan.
The absence of any request for you to ask for bids ( at
least not publicly known) without land use change.
In meeting on June 4, 1975 we confirmed with your attorney that any
bid deviating from the designated land use would be "non- responsive"
and could not be accepted.
In view of the above we are not submitting a bid. We are, however,
publicly. reconfirming our interest in submitting a fully responsive
bid when our proposed development can be approved. We have
prepared additional details on our proposed development, plans for
fin ncing, ownership and completion dates for your confidential
rev'ew. We feel public disclosure at this time could jeopardize our
co petitive position if we are given the bidding opportunity we have
reg4ested.
1002 Li colnway, LaPorte, Indiana 46350 219/362 -4577 / P. 0. Box .1957, South Bend, Indiana 46634, 219/289 -7192
26 East 6 h Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, 513/421 -3363 / P. 0. Box 1752, Parkersburg, W. Virginia 26101, 304/485 -6561
C1' of South Bend,
Pa e Two
Jun 25,1975
We
im]
for
(1)
(2)
(3)
Department of Redevelopment
again urge you to proceed with the requested change in land use
.ediately, rejecting any and all bids received at this time,
- easons most important to the future and economic welfare of
itown South Bend. These include:
Limiting the housing to 200 units may prevent our ob-
taining all of the 225 HUD Elderly Housing Units now
being advertised for South Bend. Certainly it restricts
the development of this site for additional luxury apartments
at some future time.
Full utilization of the Century Center will require added
motel rooms and a prestigous restaurant and entertain-
ment bar of the size and quality we propose. Information
on the Midway Motor Lodge and Hoffman House Restaurant
is attached. If this is in doubt, we urge a review of the
future requirements with the Convention Bureau, the
Chamber of Commerce, the directors of the Century
Center, the motel tax board and interested business-
men in the downtown area.
The added revenue and attraction of visitors provided
by the Midway Motor Lodge and Hoffman House Restaurant
will greatly stimulate the River Bend business area and
will contribute to better business for existing motor inns
and restaurants. In similar size communities they have
demonstrated ability to attract several hundred patrons
each night for cocktails , dinner and dancing.
The restrictions prohibiting a motel and more than 200 residential
units on Block 6 seem most inappropriate. Motels are permitted in the
land use plans for Areas A, G, and H and further motel development
would be permitted in Area F. The 200 unit residential limitation
seems arbitrary and is in conflict with the recommendation contained
in The Master Plan for The St. Joseph River Corridor prepared for
The Redevelopment Commission by Lawson Associates. Specific
refelrences relating to this proposal are:
(a)
Policies and Objectives III, Paragraph 8, Page 46
' The one major objective is to attract people to the,
river's edge. Recreation is one way of achieving
this objective. Another consideration is to develop
Cit of South. Bend, Department of Redevelopment
Pa e Three
Jun 25, 1975
shops, offices hotels, restaurants and nightclubs along
the river. Designed and constructed in harmony with
the overall character of the riverscape, these types of
uses can add another dimension to the life and vitality
of the riverscape."
(b) Master Plan IV, Paragraph 3, Page 47
"The ability to attract people to the river is based not
only on the qualities of the river, but also on the variety
of activities and uses that can occur along the river. It
is desirable and, to a point, essential that a variety of uses
and activities be developed along the river, including active
and passive recreational uses and facilities, cultural
facilities and events, controlled commercial establishments
and residential uses. , The plan identifies a variety of uses
along and near the river. These uses are arranged with
consideration for achieving a harmonious relationship
between uses and between each use and the riverscape. "
(c) I Block 6 Development- Paragraph 6, Page 69
"Connect a path to the Civic Center area by way of an
underpass under Jefferson Bridge to minimize pedestrian -
car conflicts. "
We elieve the time required for the change in land use willnot
del y the start or the completion of these or any comparable Be-
vel pment project.
We would be pleased to meet with the commission to answer any
questions or to further discuss the development we propose.
Very truly yours, ;q
�w JkJJt,,Vt"--
Gor o • E Medlock, Sr.
GE ,T:nw
Enc osures
The following narrative descriptions and
enclosures are "Confidential" and are
provided for your use in evaluating the
potential of the development we propose
for Block 6.
We ask that this information and all of
the enclosures, with the exception of
enclosures ##7 and #8, be kept confiden-
tial until such time as a fully conforming
public bid can be made.
marican
:Iectric -
°" e" /ND ANA & MICHIGAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
System - -- -- --- - -- — - --
220 West Col ax Avenue, F.O. Box-1731, South Bend, Indiana 46634
JUILe 251 1975
Mr. Thomas A. Oesterling
Clyde Williams & Associates., Inc.
1843 Commerce Drive
South 13ehd, Indiana
Re: 4sements in Block 6 Area, Downtown Urban Renewal, Project'R -66
Dear 19t. Gesterling:
The following easements located within the area known as Block 6,
Downtown Urban Renewal are not being used by Indiana & Michigan
Electric Company and will be released of record upon the written
request from the South Bend Department of Redevelopment or its
assign
Easement granted by Bertha Irvin Sellers, December 9, 1937 and
record 4d in book 301, page 87, St. Joseph County Recorder's office.
Easeme t granted by Herbert A. Goltz, -et al, April 91 1964, and,
record d in Book 6517 page 145.
Also, acation Resolution 2696, dated i�ecenlber 31, 1951, for a
port io of Columbia Street and granted subject to public utilities.
Easements granted to I&M Electric Company by George and Anna C.
Whiteman on February 18, 1905, recorded in Piisc. Record "K", page
184, and Septeniber 27, 1905, recorded in Misc. Record "K", page 331,
and an easement granted by David Bentz and L�awrence E. Daly, December
30, 191;4, recorded in book 544, page 107, were granted to accommodate
facili ies being used for the St. Joseph River crossing to the area.
These acilities could be relocated to Monroe Street and Edgewater
Drive n the public road right of way if agreeable with govern-
mental agencies._ Relocation could be completed by June, 1976 at
June 25 1975
Easements in Block 6
the latest., If time
six months from this
Should additional in
your c I nvenienc(f.
rj
Area) proj( -ct. 11-66
is of importance) relocation could be
eccorf,leted
date and the easenra nts released
formation be required) please contact me at
Sincerely yours'
INDIANA & MICHIGAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
A n
Thor,,tas R. Manak
Real Estate and Right of Way
r