HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-86 Human Resources & Economic Development •
ittunttn annul
•
Wu the Mammon ato uwt1 atto ett 146=4 firm: HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The March 10, 1986 meeting of the Human Resources and
Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairman
Councilman Eugenia Braboy at 4 :50 p.m. in the Council informal
meeting room:
Persons in attendance included the following: Councilman Barcome,
Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Voorde, Braboy, Paszek, and Taylor; Mr. Louis
Pohlman, Joseph Fragomeni, Eugenia Schwartz, Ann Kolata, Jim Seitz,
Sandy Combs, Michael C. Murphy, members of the news media and
Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand.
Councilman Braboy noted that the purpose of the meeting was to
review Bill No. 17-86 which would designate 2211 East Jefferson Blvd.
as an Economic Development Target Area.
Mr. Michael C. Murphy then explained the background reasons for
the petition. He noted that he had sent to the copy a letter dated
March 7, 1986 which addresses the request of Cole Associates, Inc.
(copy,_attached) . He noted that t1he bond was necessary in order for
Cole Associates to construct a 13, 000. square foot addition to their
present facility. The bond would be in the amount of $1,500,000.
He noted that they believed that the area in question specifically
qualified under I.C.. , 36-7-11.9-4 . He then passed out photos of the
area when Cole Associates purchased the property in 1977 from the
Dugdale estate. Mr. Murphy stressed that he believed that the Cole •
project met the "broad other factors" test •of the State law language.
Mr. Pohlman then reviewed various architectural drawings of the
proposed edition. He noted that the parking lot would be expanded
approximately 120 feet to the north of the present area. He then
reviewed both the upper and lower expansion project. He also stressed
that Cole Associates had grown to 203 current employees and that 45
new employees would be hired for the new addition. This represented
new payroll of between $l.l to $1. 2 million dollars. Mr.Pohlman... further
noted at the- time of building the original Cole Associates building they
had anticipated a 25%expansion and had grown much larger than that.
Mr. Pohlman also noted that Cole Associates also has offices in
Merilliville, Indianapolis, and Chesterton, Indiana, with the corporate
headquarters;_being located here in South Bend.
Councilman Braboy noted the need to keep the corporate head-
quarters here in South Bend and spoke favorably to the request for the
designation. Councilman Paszek also spoke favorably with regard to
the request. He noted that individuals from St. Anthonys spoke in
favor of the Cole Associates ' request.
. Mr. Murphy then highlighted that the President of the Swanson
Improvement Association, lair. William E. Cauldwell also offered a letter
of support of the project (copy attached).
rut PN[fi alSEStpu PUBLISHING CO.
Page 2.
Following further discussion by the Committee Councilman
Barcome made a motion seconded by Councilman Taylor that Bill No.
17-86 go to Council favorably. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Braboy noted that as of today they had no further
update from the State Legislature with regard to new legislation
addressing tax abatement. There being no further business to come
before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5 :10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugenia Braboy, Chairman
Human Resources and Economic
Development Committee