HomeMy WebLinkAboutSM 06-04-79June 4, 1979
11:00 A.M.
Presiding Of
1. ROLL
Members
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
1200 County -City Building
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard
er: Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, South Bend, Indiana 46601
President
sent: Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President
Mr. Lloyd E. Robinson, Sr., Vice President
Mr. A. Peter Donaldson, Secretary
Ms. Paula N. Auburn, Member
Members Absent:
Legal Cou#sel:
Mr. Robert J. Cira, Assistant Secretary
Mr. Kevin J. Butler
t Staff: Mr. Carl Ellison, Director
Mr. Timothy K. Eckerle, Assistant Director
Mr. Kevin C. Horton, Real Estate Officer
Mrs. Jane Zimmerman, Executive Secretary
Conmiunityl Development
Staff:
News Medi la :
Guests:
2. OLD BUS
a. Awards nR of bid
Mrs. Barbara Radican, Performance Standards
Monitor
Mr. Dave Anderson, Reporter, WNDU -TV
Ms. Anne E. Thompson, Reporter, WNDU -TV
Mr. Jim Skwarcan, Photographer, WSJV -TV
Mr. Larry Ford, Reporter, WSJV -TV
Mr. Willie V. Green, Jr., Director, Hansel Center
Mr. James L. Cronk, Private Businessman
Mr. Ronald J. Jaicomo, Attorney representing
Mr. V. Robert Hepler
iosals received On the development of the
ect.
Mr. Nimtz: According to a Resolution passed at the Regular
Meeti g of the Redevelopment Commission, held on June 1, 1979,
a Spe ial Meeting was called for this morning for 11:00 a.m.
to co sider the bid received from V. Robert Hepler on that
date d recommended to the staff and legal counsel for their
revie . We will now hear the report from the staff and legal
coons 1.
BID PROPOSAL
RECEIVED ON
MERRY AVENUE
PROJECT AWARDED
TO V. ROBERT
HEPLER EQUIP-
MENT CONSTRUCTION
South Bend JZedeve
Special Mee Ting -
2. OLD
t Commission
4, 1979
(continued)
Mr. But er: I have reviewed the documents submitted. They are in
order. The bid price was the stated minimum price by the Commission.
We only received the one bid from Mr. Hepler, and I believe the staff
recommends that the bid be accepted by the Commission.
Mr. Nim z: Mr. Ellison, have you had a chance to review the bid since
your return from Washington, D.C.; and is it your recommendation that
we acce t the bid?
Mr. Ell son: Yes sir, it is.
Mr. Nim z: Are there any further questions or discussions?
e Chair recognized Mr. Willie V. Green, Director, of the
elCenter.. ................
Mr. Wil ie V. Green: I have a document I wish to read to the Commission,
and I a k the Commission's permission to read it.
e Chair and the Commissioners agreed that Mr. Green could read
the T document to the Commission and everyone present.
Mr. Green read the following document:
"SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
ARE A MENACE TO BLACK BUSINESSES"
The redevelopment district established along the West Washington Street
area f om Maple to Olive, is detrimental to black business interest.
Mos of the redevelopment districts established by the City of South Bend
in the lack community have been detrimental to black businesses. The black
communi y experienced its first redevelopment project during the Chapin Street
clearan e. An area bounded by Taylor, Western Avenue, Laurel Street and
Sample Avenue made up the Chapin Street redevelopment project. During the
early nineteen sixties, the Chapin Street area represented a community that
contained 60 percent of the black population in the city. Black businesses
of any consequences were located on or near Chapin Street. Among the
businesses to be found in the area were: Smoke Pierce's Tavern, the Wooldridge
Funeral Home, Newbill's Barber Shop, Baker's Grocery Store, Perry's Drug
Store, Moon Mullin's Barbecue Pit, Harris' Liquor Store, Jone's Liquor Store,
a cigar store owned by Uncle Bill and a pool room. During the mid- sixties
the area was declared a "slum community ". A redevelopment project was put
in motion and several thousand black residents were displaced. Blacks were
forced to move into a deteriorating community on the southeast side of the
city, blaing abandoned by a blue collar class of whites. The black businessmen
operat' g in the Chapin Street area were forced to try and relocate in all
white business districts. The racial attitude of the city made that a difficult
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task.
South Bend edevelopment Commission
Special Meeting June 4, 1979
2. OLD BUS$NESS (Continued)
Mr. Green continued with his document.......
Sev ral black businesses moved to an area of Chapin Street,
north ot Western Avenue.
A nimber of black businessmen interested in expanding beyond
the Chapin Street area, selected the West Washington Street area
to establish small businesses. Among the businesses established
were barbecue restaurants, pool rooms, taverns, grocery stores,
laundromats., a drug store, doctors offices and a host of other
small growing businesses. During the late fifties and early
sixties these businesses existed side by side with white
businesses such as Sandocks Furniture Store, St. Vincent DePaul,
Slutsky Peltz Plumbing, Hurwich Junk Yard, O'Brien Paint, Radecki's
Tavern md a number of other industrial and commercial establishments.
City se ices were good and adequate police protection was offered
area b iness and residents.
During this same expansion period, black businesses were
developing in the LaSalle Park area. This is evident by the
establishment of Hoover's Pool Room and Liquor Store, Nesbitt's
Tavern, Perry Booles Grocery Store and a barber shop..
LaSalle Park was contrastly different from the West Washington
Street area. The area bounded by Meade, Linden, Illinois and
Western Avenue, was almost entirely black. A number of streets
were unimproved, city services were poor and police protection
left a of to be desired.
Sometimes during the late sixties, redevelopment was
introdui,ed to the LaSalle Park area. Residents viewed this as an
answer to all of their prayers. Streets were improved, a park and
recreat onal area was established, thus improving life for area
residents, but the black businessmen lost out again. Hoover's Pool
Room an Liquor Store was razed in order to make land available for
the development of the recreational facility and park. Nesbitt's
Tavern was razed to make room for a low cost housing development.
Both of these businesses closed as a result of redevelopment and
never reopened.
Redevelopment was introduced to the West Washington Street area
during the Model Cities era. The redevelopment district involved an
area boimded by Grant, West Washington Street, Merry Avenue and Olive.
The redevelopment project was referred to as "The Merry Avenue Project."
Residents of the Merry Avenue Project area were led to believe that
the homes and businesses in that area were being demolished to make
way for an industrial complex that would employ 115 persons from the
area. To date the industrial complex has not materialized.
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South Bendedevelopment Commission
Special Meeting - June 4, 1979
Z. OLD BUSINESS (Continued)
Mr. Green continued with his document........
The Merry Avenue redevelopment project added four Black businesses
to the list of businesses closed by redevelopment efforts; Willie
Mayfiel 's Tavern, Kelly Williams "Shorty Papa's Tavern, Scott's Liquor
Store and John Warfield's Barber Shop. In addition to putting these
businesses out of commission, redevelopment efforts severly affected
the businesses operated by Schoby's Grocery Store and Lee Ferguson's
laundro at, both located on the north side of West Washington Street,
across from the Merry Avenue Project.
Area residents speculated that the city of South Bend spent a
million dollars in federal funds to eliminate one black business,
"Shorty Papa's ". Shorty Papa's was a "greasy spoon" type restaurant,
frequen ed by a rough crowd. The restaurant received a great deal
of publ'city due to the number of disturbances occurring at the tavern.
Onl one of the four businesses closed during the Merry Avenue
clearan e, attempted to reopen. Scott's Liquor Store, a business
grossiny better than $100,000.00, moved to Western Avenue, where
the own r virtually "lost his shirt ". This resulted in the owner's
early death. Shorty Papa, the object of the redevelopment effort,
died an early death shortly after giving up his business.
Whe the Chapin Street project was completed and the Industrial
Park w established, not one black businessman returning to the area.
When the Merry Avenue Project was completed, several blacks made
overtures to the city reference establishing businesses on the vacated
property. One proposal was for the establishment of the day care center
that would house 300 students and employ some 45 persons, most of whom
would come from the neighborhood. The city of South Bend did not lend
its sup tort to that project but rather chose to sell the land to a white
business interest.
The city of South Bend is now establishing a fourth redevelopment
district along West Washington Street, from Maple to Olive. Once again
the citir is talking about improving the neighborhood at the risk of elim-
inating four black businesses. In order to provide Slutsky -Peitz Plumbing
Company with adequate land for expansion, the city would raze buildings
occupied by Bunk & Bea's restaurant, a sanwich shop owned by the same
family, S $ J Lounge and a pool room owned by Little Johnny. City
officials justified their redevelopment effort with the rationalization
that th s will clear up gambling and illicit drugs, which is supposedly
readily available in the area.
4-
South Bend edevelopment Commission
Special Mee ping - June 4, 1979
2. OLD BUSMSS (continued)
Mr. Grebn continued with his document.......
The public at large has paid very little attention to the fact
that redevelopment has been used as an instrument for eliminating
black business that do not operate up to white standards. To date
a total twelve (12) black businesses have fallen under bulldozer,
paid far with redevelopment funds. If city officials are allowed to
pursue eir present course of action, four (4) additional black businesses
will be eliminated. In no instance has the redevelopment program de-
molished inadequate facilities housing black businesses and made provision
for reconstruction of adequate facilities later.
The migratory pattern of South Bend has seen black businesses move
from lower Chapin Street, to that section of Chapin between Western and
Washing on Avenue, then to the West Washington Street area. With the
black business area being so clearly defined, it would appear that the
city of South Bend would promote black enterprises in the area.
Community Development funds for commercial development should be made
available to the black businessman the same as they were made available
to bail out the South Bend Lathe operations.
In order to keep the South Bend Lathe operation going, the City of
South Bend secured from the federal government five million dollars and
set up ui Industrial Revolving Fund. The city loaned the South Bend
Lathe operation, five million dollars at 3% interest for a period of
twenty- ive years. The first three years of the loan required repayment
of interest only. Repayment of the principal did not become due until
the 3rd year of the loan. Special tax credits were also made available
to the South Bend Lathe operation.
If black businessmen were given access to the cities Industrial
Revolving Fund's 3% interest loans and the tax credit made available for
new businesses that the city has interest in, black businessmen would do
their own redevelopment. Black redevelopment made reference to is evident
when you look at Frankies Barbecue, the Hoover Liquor Stores and Pool
Room, the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, the Pilgram Baptist
Church and the Neighborhood Grocery. If the redevelopment department has
$550,454.00 for redevelopment, this money should also be made available to
the black businessmen in the West Washington Street area and throughout the
city, who are struggling for survival. Redevelopment should be one of the
tools Oat the city of South Bend uses to foster economic growth in the
black community.
Where are the black businesses? Why aren't some of the fast food
service restaurants springing up all over town owned by blacks? When the
city of South Bend talks about redevelopment, community development and the
revitalization of neighborhoods, why is it that those concepts never translate
into positive action for the black community?
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South Bend edevelopment Commission
Special Mee ing June 4, 1979
2. OLD BUSINESS (continued)
Mr. Green continued with his document..........
Black businesses throughout the country have had a difficult
time surviving. If you travel the length and breath of the United States,
you will find three hundred businesses owned and operated by blacks,
employing ten people or more. The city of South Bend only has one
business venture meeting the above criteria. Local black businessmen not
only ha ire to contend with the failure of local lending institutions to
extend credit and an unwillingness of white businessmen to extend a
helping hand. They must now be ever conscious of redevelopment efforts
that destroy the small business gains already made.
Thee is a tendency known to blame the poor for their poverty and
to placo the burden on the least equipped to provide remedies. The mayor
of South Bend recently blamed west side businessmen for the breakdown of
law and order. Surely the city has greater resources for maintaining
law and order, then west side businessmen. The city of South Bend should
muster its economic resources and develop a Minority Enterprise Revolving
Fund (M E.R.F.). The NIERF should be funded with not less than five
million dollars. Funds should be made available to high risk black
enterprises through loans carrying no more than 20 interest. Minority
enterprises should be able to obtain loans for periods up to twenty -five
years. The city of South Bend should declare the entire West Washington
Street area a redevelopment zone, set aside for the development of
minority enterprises. Five year tax credit programs should be made
available to any one starting a business in the area. Technical assistance
should be offered to persons participating in the MERF.
Redevelopment should cease to be a "catch word" for black neighborhood
and black business removal. The city's legislative body, administrative
body and judicial body should implement policies that will give new meaning
to the term redevelopment.
"Willie V. Green, Jr."
The Chair then recognized Mr. Cronk, a private businessman .......
Mr. Cro I would like to make a few comments based on what
Mr. Kevin Butler said regarding the receiving of only one bid I am sorry
that I id not see the "legal notice ". I don't normally read all of
the legal notices, and since it was only in the paper once, I missed it.
Otherwise, I would have submitted a bid myself. To me, the value that
you are getting for this land is too low. What Mr. Green says has a
lot of merit, not only for the black business, but all small businesses.
I think last fall, when I spoke with Mr. Ellison, I was led to believe
that the property had already been sold, therefore, there was nothing
that I could do about it. The "legal notice" also irritates me from
the standpoint that it is deceiving. You say you want to dispose of
the property, yet you reserve the right to choose what type of businesses
go in there. To me, the legal notice should have been that way. At this
point, I would suggest that you re- evaluate and go for a higher bid or
better proposal.
South Bend edeve
Special Mee ing -
2. OLD
t Commission
4, 1979
(continued)
Ms. Aul*rn: Sir, would you please identify yourself, and what
type og business are you in.
Mr. Cro�k: My name is James Cronk, and I am self- -employed.
Mr. Nim z: Mr. Butler, is the one who sets up our legal notices,
and we follow the requirements of HUD and State Law as to what we
say in the notice. You have to do it the way the Statute and
Regulations say or you don't have a good, valid and legal notice.
Mr. Ellison: For the record, I should note that we had the
conversation, at that time back, when it was presumed that the
Model Cities Economic Development Corporation would dispose of
the sit .
Mr. Gre n: I too missed the notice, because I would have bidded
on the and to see if I could save it for some of the people in
our are .
Mr. Ellison: When the Notice was published in the paper, there was
a Trib e article which recorded something about the Merry Avenue
project There wasn't just a legal notice there was also a normal
news article pursuant to the meeting.
Mr. Green: I suspect that inasmuch as you are a party of Model
Cities, when all of that took place, and that you knew exactly what
was con emplated. Efforts should be made by your office to try
whereve possible to encourage the fulfillment of that dream put
forth b Model Cities.
Mr. Ell son: I absolutely agree. However, I am not aware of any
light industrial entreprenuer who wishes to provide 114 jobs within a
light industrial facility on that site. As a practical matter, what
I have been trying to do since 1975 is to close out Model Cities.
The Economic Development Corporation and its Merry Avenue asset is
necessary to be disposed of to help complete that process. Obviously,
the Ci , Model Cities, and Redevelopment Commission should have done
more to try to fulfill that dream, but reality in public development
is that which you hope for when you began the process, and that which
you receive when you finish, are not necessarily the same.
Mr.
that
and
: Are there any funds available through Model Cities monies
d be used to purchase that land at the $15,000 market price
it in escrow until you can fulfill those dreams?
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South Bend edevelopment Commission
Special Meeting June 4, 1979
2. OLD BUSINESS (continued)
Mr. Ellison: If the City wanted to hold it in escrow, obviously,
it would not want the Commission to dispose of it. Based on
history since 1973, I don't believe it would be reasonable public
policy to presume that the land would eventually produce a light
industrial operation which 'employs 115 people. In the public sector,
the Comiission has to make judgements based on the reasonable needs
of the community. In my judgement, the Merry Avenue problem has
been with us long enough, and we need to take some action to dispose
of it now.
Mr. Nim z: Thank you. ..... You have heard the report and
recd mie dation of the staff and legal counsel, do I hear a motion?
Mr. Rob nson made a motion to accept and award the bid to V. Robert
Hepler, which was received on the development of the Merry Avenue
Project seconded by Ms. Auburn, and the motion was unanimously carried.
3. NEXT COWISSION MEETING
4.
The nex regularly scheduled Redevelopment Commission meeting will
be held on June 15, 1979, at 10:00 a.m.
There b
Mr. Rob
by Ms.
was adj
no further business to come before the Commission,
. made a motion that the meeting be adjourned, seconded
n, and the motion was unanimously carried. The meeting
d at 11:55 a.m.
t
Carl Ellison, Executive Director
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
June 15, 1979
1200 County -City Building
10:00 A.M.
227 West Jefferson Boulevard
Presiding Officer:
F. Jay Nimtz
South Bend, Indiana 46601
President
1. ROLL CALL
Members
Present:
Mr.
F. Jay Nimtz, President
Mr.
Lloyd E.
Robinson, Sr., Vice- President
Mr.
A. Peter
Donaldson, Secretary
Mr.
Robert J.
Cira, Assistant Secretary
Ms.
Paula N.
Auburn, Member
Legal C
unsel:
Mr.
Kevin J.
Butler
Staff: Mr. Carl Ellison, Director
Mr. Timothy K. Eckerle, Assistant Director
Mr. Kevin C. Horton, Real Estate Officer
Mrs. Jane Zimmerman, Executive Secretary
Ms. Denise Fleming, Secretary
Communi y Development
Staff:
News M ia:
Guests:
2. APPROV OF MINUTES
Ms. Kathy Baumgartner, Project Director, Bureau
of Housing
Mr. Thane Wilson, Assistant Project Director,
Bureau of Housing
Ms. Shirley F. McCoy, Labor Standards Officer
Mrs. Barbara Radi.can, Monitor
Mrs. Theresa Ellett, Monitor
Ms. Brenda Shumacker, Bureau of Housing
Mr. Dave Anderson, Reporter, WNDU -TV
Mr. Mike Murphy, Reporter, WNDU -TV
Mr. Les Howard, Photographer, WNDU -TV
Ms. Jeanne Derbeck, Reporter, South Bend Tribune
Mr. John Kagel, Downtown South Bend Council
Ms. Glenda Rae Hernandez, Southeast PAC
On moti n by Mr. Robinson, seconded by Ms. Auburn, and
unanimously carried, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of June 15 1979 were approved.
On mot
of June
m by Mr. Donaldson, seconded by Ms. Auburn, and
isly carried, the Minutes of the Special Meeting
41 1979 were approved.
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MINUTES OF REGULAR
NEE=G JUNE 1, 1979
APPROVED
MINUTES OF SPECIAL
MEETING JUNE 43 1979
APPROVED
South Bend edevelopment Commission
Regular Mee ing - June 15, 1979
3. APPROM OF CLAIMS
On moti n by Mr. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Donaldson, and
unanimously carried, the claims - totalling $296,332.63,
were allowed and ordered to be paid. The authorized
claims e:
I. ZI: • I•I • r
Payroll
5 -19 -79 to 6 -01 -79
$ 4,714.62
Bethel C
ompany
72.00
Kevin J
Butler
200.00
Busines
Systems, Inc.
103.06
Indiana
Bell Telephone Company
376.34
Postmaster
132.48
St. Joseph
Bank Travel Agency
241.00
International
City Management Association
31.25
Passenger
Transport
30.00
TOTAL $ 5,900.75
St. Joseph Bank and Trust Company $258,250.00
TOTAL $258,250.00
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT CAPITAL
Carl Ellison $ 80.93
James E Childs and Associates, Inc. 3,946.25
TOTAL $ 4,027.18
P.E.A. IND R -66
Indiana and Michigan Electric Company
Inlande - Steindler Paper Company
Penny Saver
Northerm Indiana Public Service Company
Redevelopment Revolving Fund
South Bend Water Works
S. M. D x Associates, Inc.
Weisberger, Walz and Walz
Jordan's Mishawaka Transfer, Inc.
Weisberger, Walz and Walz
Thomas Walz
Seymour Weisberger
Wilford Walz
Systems Marketing Corporation
Paul Fa duto
Odd Fellows Maintenance
TOTAL
-2-
$ 519.23
33.95
39.60
282.40
10,543.12
18.37
1,430.33
319.00
914.14
48.00
145.38
751.91
114.84
2,500.00
288.00
1,945.30
$ 19,893.57
APPROVAL OF
CLAIMS
South Bend Fedevelopment Commission
Regular Mee ing - June 15, 1979
3. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS (continued)
Abstract
Company of St. Joseph County, Inc.
$ 165.00
I & M Electric
Heating Company
1,045.00
Joers Floor
Center
482.80
C. E. L
e Company
410.29
Plaia C
nstruction Company
23513.00
St. Jos
ph County Recorder
49.50
R. A. S
fickler Plumbing Co. - Frank Dixon
978.00
R. A. S
fickler Plumbing Co. - Joni Ladewski
13012.00
R. A. S
ickler Plumbing Co. - T & R Dean
25.00
Wickes
umber Company
101.81
Ehlers
Ltd.
675.00
Midwest
jnnsulation,
Aluminum Siding Co., Inc.
84.00
Ron and
Claudia Johnson
488.87
Lawrenc
Dwyer
230.86
TOTAL $ 83261.13
GRAND TOTAL $296.332.63
4. COMMUNI ATIONS NO COMMUNICATIONS
TO PRESENT
There were no communications to present to the Commission.
5. OLD BUSINESS NO OLD BUSINESS
TO REPORT
There was no Old Business to present to the Commission.
6. NEW BUSINESS 312 LOANS
APPROVED
a. Commission approval requested for 312 Loan Applications
for the following:
Darmada Winston - Austin $ 5,750.00 18/8MC- 0011/55/1
922 N. St. Louis
South Bend, Indiana
Harold & Neva Mullin $ 6,300.00 18 /8MC- 0011/56/1
529 S. Wellington
South Bend, Indiana
GeojEia Kourlas $ 8,500.00 18 /8MC- 0011/58/1
521 Leland
Sou h Bend, Indiana
Fr & Janice Banicki
451 S. Phillipa
Sou h Bend, Indiana
$13,550.00
-3-
18 /8MC- 0011/60/1
South Bend 4edevelopment Commission
Regular Mee ing - June 15, 1979
6. NEW
a. (continued) ...
Mr. Nimtz: Ms. Baumgartner, Southhold has looked into these
312 Loans and I think you are going to receive a lot more
app icants. This program is less expensive for the clientele
thah other programs.
Ms.
Our
Mr.
Ms.
and
Baumgartner: Right, also we can lend a substantial amount.
top amount for a single family dwelling is $27,000.
Nimtz: I would like to know how many funds are available?
Baumgartner: We have the potential of at least $500,00,
that depends on the appropriation by Congress, and the
°opriation by the area office (HUD).
I think most interesting is that a HUD representative from
Indianapolis mentioned that Indiana is 8th in the nation in
using 312 monies, and that in our region, Indiana has
4 Ilion dollars. We are going to be spending close to a
million dollars of this amount, which means we are spending
one fourth of the state's allocation. So, we are the main
Mr. Robinson made a motion to approve a 312 loan to Darnada
Winston-Austin, 922 N. St. Louis in the amount of $4,750.00;
Harold & Neva Mullin, 529 S. Wellington in the amount of
$6,'300.00; Georgia Kourlas, 521 Leland in the amount of
$8, 00.00; Frank & Janice Banicki, 451 S. Phillipa in the
amoimt of $13,550.00, seconded by Mr. Cira, and the motion
was unanimously carried.
6 b. Combi.ss ion
w
u!) .uU ror an
address of 1 l'
Mr. James Hard
for Change Order #1 with
as
CHANGE ORDER #1
of WITH F & F
e ELECTRIC, INC.
om APPROVED
Original contract for 1615 High Street specified replace -
men of electrical service panel. While at job site,
F & F Electric Co., decided that electrical panel itself
did meet code but was improperly grounded. The Bureau's
Ins ector confirmed this finding. The Commission is
req ested to approve attached Change Order No. 1 deleting
the electrical panel from the contract and adding panel
"g unding" to specifications. This action reduces cost
by $350.00.
Mr. Robinson made a motion to approve Change Order #1 with
F & F Electric, Inc., for a decrease in contract price of
$35).003 at the address of 1615 High Street, seconded by
Mr. Donaldson, and the motion was unanimously carried.
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'South Bend edevelopment Corfmission
Regular Mee ing - June 15, 1979
7. PROGRESS REPORTS
There w re no progress reports to bring before the Commission at this time.
Ms. Derbeck: Have there been any more acquisitions concern-
ing Century Mall?
Mr. Butler: We are ready to close three additional proper
tie , which would leave either five or six properties, four
of hich are in condemnation. There are two left which have
to le acquired, and they are "Business Systems ", and the
Mr. Butler: The Diocese of Ft. Wayne -South Bend, and Mr.
Tucker owns Business Systems.
Ms. Derbeck: What is the status of the Rouse Report?
Mr. Ellison: Ms. Derbeck, the Rouse Report will probably
be dut sometime in the very near future.
Ms. Derbeck: Do you have any idea which trend it is taking?
NO PROGRESS
REPORTS
DISCUSSIONS CON -
CERNING ACQUISITION
PARCELS IN CE=
MALL PROJECT
Mr. Ellison: Yes, I do have some ideas, but I don't want to
discuss it at this time. I have learned in this business
that until a report is delivered, things can change, therefore,
it is not advantageous to discuss the details.
Ms. Derbeck: Some questions have been raised on whether the
mal will consist of locally owned business. Would this
que Lion be answered in the Rouse Report?
Mr. Ellison: The Rouse Report suggests that there is certain
amount of retail market, and the presumption is that some of
that; would be local, and some of that would be chain. Some
of it, perhaps, would be businesses which are being displaced
to make way for the mall. The report itself is concerned
wit how much retail the mall project can support.
DISCUSSION OF
ROUSE STUDY
Ms. Derbeck: Does the Rouse Report, however, make some sugges-
tio about the height of the mall you should have, and the
heitht of stores, the kind of flavor of the mall?
Mr.lEllison: Yes.
Ms. Derbeck: I would say that whether the stores are locally owned
or Ohain, has a great deal to do with the flavor of the mall.
Mr.
the
Ellison: To a degree. Part of the retail layout calls for
oral merchandising, and that could be achieved through a
.1 owner as well as a chain. What I am suggesting is that
�e are.certain kind of retail classes that are suitable for
town, which can be provided locally or nationally. Yet,
issue is not so much whether the business person involved
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South Bend 4edevelopment Commission
Regular Mee ing- June 15, 1979
7. PROGRES� REPORTS (continued) ......
is ocal, but rather, the nature of the business itself- -the
nat e of the retail mix. That is what the report will
co ent on.
Mr. Nimtz: Of course, Ms. Derbeck, what you say about commer-
cial. chains can also be said industrially. We have seen it in
this community, as well as many others that local industry has
been "gobbled up" or absorbed by large organizations.
Ms. Auburn: I think I have had some of the same sentiments
expressed to me also, Ms. Derbeck. There is concern the
general public's part of having the whole downtown revert to
nothing other than national chain stores that simply duplicate
what; is available at the malls. There is some expectation
that if it is at all possible, the Century Mall must incor-
por to some different kinds of marketing concepts. I think
one concept is trying to develop support for locally owned
small business. I would think that the Chamber would be more
than happy to help try to stimulate and support that kind of
dev lopment. I think it increases accountability and increases
the retention of the dollar turnover at the local level.
Mr. Kagel: This may very well bring into the picture a
creative merchandising technique which is not normally found
elsewhere. The "boutique" type thing, the personalized
eyeball to eyeball type of thing, where the customer wants
more than just to walk in and buy something. They want the
se ice that goes along with it, and they want, in some in-
st ces, the talent, the guidance, the help, and the advice
for whatever they might be buying.
Mr. Ellison: It also should be borne in mind that the Rouse
Study is not an "end product ". It is really a "begin product ".
It is the spring board from which the development will subse-
que tly be packaged. Obviously an effort will be made to
assure that these kind of concerns are reflected in the even -
tua development.
8. NEXT CODOUSSION MEETING
The ne regularly scheduled Redevelopment Commission meeting
will be held on July 6, 1979, at 10:00 A.M.
There
Mr. R
carried
ping no further business to come before the Commission,
nson made a motion that the meeting be adjourned,
1 by Mr. Donaldson, and the motion was unanimously
, The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 A.M.
M
NEXT SCHEDULED
COMMISSION
MEETING
m --mmu 0 I I
South B
Redevelopment Commission
Regular Meeting - June 15, 1979
ident
-7-
Carl Ellison, Executive Director