HomeMy WebLinkAboutRedevelopment Commission Minutes 04.25.24South Bend
y Redevelopment Commission
- - = 227 West Jefferson Boulevard, Room 1308, South Bend, IN
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING
April 25, 2024 — 9:30 am
https://tinyurl.com/RedevelopmentCommission or BPW 13th Floor
Presiding: Marcia Jones, President
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Marcia Jones, President — IP IP = In Person
Troy Warner, Vice -President - IP V = Virtual
Vivian Sallie, Secretary — IP
David Relos, Commissioner — IP
Leslie Wesley, Commissioner - IP
Members Absent:
Legal Counsel:
Redevelopment
Staff:
Others Present:
Eli Wax, Commissioner
Sandra Kennedy, Esq.
Danielle Campbell, Asst. City Attorney
Mary Sears, Board Secretary - Absent
Joseph Molnar, Property Manager
Caleb Bauer
DCI
Erik Glavich
DCI
Rosa Tomas
DCI
Tim Corcoran
DCI
Charlotte Brach
DCI
Zach Hurst
Engineering
Gemma Stanton
Engineering
Leslie Biek
Engineering
Matt Barrett
Resident
KM
Resident
Mark Weber
YMCA
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
2. Approval of Minutes
• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, April 11, 2024
Upon a motion by Vice -President Warner, seconded by Commissioner Relos, the
motion carried, with Vivian Sallie abstaining, and the Commission approved the
minutes of the regular meeting of Thursday, April 11, 2024.
3. Approval of Claims
A. Claims Allowance 4.9.24
Upon a motion by Commissioner Relos, seconded by Vice -President Warner, the
motion carried unanimously, and the Commission approved the claims
allowances of April 9, 2024.
B. Claims Allowance 4.23.24
Upon a motion by Commissioner Relos, seconded by Vice -President Warner, the
motion carried unanimously, and the Commission approved the claims
allowances of April 23, 2024.
4. Old Business
President Jones noted there was no old business.
5. New Business
A. River West Development Area
1. Lease Agreement (YMCA Leighton Plaza)
Joseph Molnar Presented a Donation Agreement (YMCA Northside Site). The
RDC approved a buyout of former ground lease associated with Leighton
Healthplex Building where this new gym for YMCA would be located. At that time,
RDC established a new lease with Beacon for the space. Beacon later alerted
RDC staff that they would be vacating the health and fitness portion, which are
floors 3-5 currently of that building, pretty quickly after the lease went into effect.
Also, concurrently with that, the YMCA and the City had been in discussions over
expanding the Y's presence in South Bend beyond the O'Brien Center. Mr. Molar
reported the City has a good partnership with the Y there and the Y has been
looking to have a larger presence in South Bend. So, after hearing from Beacon
and learning about their plans to vacate the space, the City began negotiations
with the Y on leasing that current space on floors 3-5. Just for reference, this is
the building in question and the current lease would allow the Y to occupy floors
3, 4 and 5 as well as 2,000 sq foot of the second floor for a proposed child watch
section that that is currently not provided onsite.
Mr. Molar explained there are two primary agreements for consideration. The first
is a donation agreement. The YMCA would be donating the former Northside Y
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
property to the Redevelopment Commission and then RDC staff believe this
would be a prime property for redevelopment. The assessed value of the eight
parcels in total is $718,500 and it's approximately 7.3 acres.
The lease agreement extends through December 31, 2032, and that is rent free,
however the Y does agree to pay 1/3 of the utilities in the building through that
portion through 2032, so while it is officially rent free they would be helping to
contribute to the utilities and they would pay annually to the City 1 /3 of the utilities
that were accumulated in the building. They would also occupy a portion of the
second floor for the child watch program where they would watch parents'
children while they were allowed to go work out. The City staff would operate
under the current MOU with the YMCA for O'Brien which allows for discounted
membership for City employees. The YMCA would receive fifteen to twenty-five
spaces in the garage for employee parking to make sure that their employees can
get there on time. Mr. Molar stated City staff is excited about this because it
keeps a quality downtown fitness option open. We know that's very important to
the quality of life, not just people who live downtown, but also to people who work
downtown, and the surrounding neighborhoods having a good fitness option
downtown is very important.
Mr. Molar explained some transition items. Beacon will currently occupy the
space until May 31, 2024, which is when they notified the City that they would be
ending their lease. Current Beacon members who wish to maintain access to the
facility will receive invitations to join the YMCA. The YMCA aims for operations to
begin in June 2024. Mr. Molar noted members from the YMCA are here to speak
as well.
Mark Weber, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Michiana began to present thanking
the Commission for having him to present. Mr. Weber also thanked Caleb, Joe
and this committee for considering this. Mr. Weber said he thought Caleb and him
met about a year and a half ago when the Y realized it needed to shut down the
old Northside facility due to age and condition. Mr. Weber explained the Y started
a partnership with the City through Aaron Perri and the VPA and were operating
out of the O'Brien Center. Mr. Weber said that was a good transitionary period but
the YMCA knew it needed to grow. In its initial conversations with Caleb the
YMCA was really talking about what do we do with this property because the Y
board made it very clear it needed to take care of the Y but it also need to take
care of community, so that's where the discussions came. From the Y's
perspective, Mr. Weber explained having a facility downtown is very critically
strategic for the YMCA. Mr. Weber explained it is a community association, and
not just a membership -faced organization, and to be in the heart of the community
really allows it to expand its impact. Mr. Weber stated working with VPA has been
wonderful because now YMCA has access to programming in the various parks
and facilities run by the City, which gives YMCA another occasion to feed out into
the community. A lot of our work is done in buildings, but probably more is being
done in the community with youth programs, out of school activities, health and
fitness, and sports activities with the kids so this really opens the doors for the
YMCA. Mr. Weber stated what's really interesting is the YMCA has been in the
community for 142 years. In 1906, so it was 26 years after YMCA started, YMCA
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
finally got its first building in South Bend. Ironically, it was literally one street away
at the corner of Wayne and Main Streets. Mr. Weber stated coming back
downtown is kind of like coming home again, so the YMCA appreciates the
opportunity and the Commission's consideration.
Vice -President Warner: I have a question about the Y property. If I'm
remembering right, the property to the north of that on Mishawaka Avenue is also
a property that's kind of in flux. Is there a plan there? Or potentially for both of
those properties for development?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: I think anytime we see
properties that are in disrepair, that is something that's on our radar and our staff
is aware of the Qualex facility. It was recently purchased through a tax sale by a
private buyer. We have not been in communication with that individual. I know
some of the members of the community have so yes, it's on our radar.
Vice -President Warner: And I know this is something that is fairly recent, but now
that the City would be taking control of the Northside Boulevard property, what's
the timeline and the plan there?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: We'll make sure the
property remains secured for the short term. We will look to issue an RFP
through the Commission later this Summer and that would seek redevelopment
proposals for the site. We do anticipate a future purchase agreement may involve
some City participation in the demolition of the building but we want to see
proposals before we move forward. That still would be here in the next few
months so neighbors can expect there will be activity there this calendar year, but
it may be later Summer or Fall.
Vice -President Warner: And then the question is, when would the building be
coming down? I think that makes sense to kind of explore interest in the property
before we take the step of declaring it a problem. Thank you.
Secretary Sallie: I did a little research on the history of the Y here in this area and
it was full circle because it's coming back downtown which will make you
accessible to a lot more people as well. I'm not sure how many will initially be
comfortable going to the upper levels of the building but once they get used to it,
at least at one time, it was a very nice facility and I'm sure the Y would make it so
again. So it's a good thing, and you'd be in the right place at the right time with all
the development downtown.
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: And just a note, the Y
will continue their presence at the O'Brien community center as well so it's not
moving the Y services in the community, but adding to them.
President Jones: Questions?
Vice -President Warner: I have a comment but it can wait until after the public.
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
President Jones opened the floor up to the public. There were no comments or
questions from the public.
Vice -President Warner: I want to give kudos to Caleb and the staff and the team.
Monday night's council got a presentation of projects just under $1 billion. There's
a whole lot growing in the City and to be able to pick it up and work with our
partners is really exciting. The City can't be doing those types of things but we
can support our partners who are doing those types of things. I am a member of
Beacon but am excited to sign up and join the Y and return the Y to our downtown
South Bend community.
Caleb Bauer also expressed thanks to Mark Weber.
Upon a motion by Secretary Sallie, seconded by Vice -President Waner, the
motion carried unanimously, and the Commission approved Lease Agreement
(YMCA Leighton Plaza) presented on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
6. Progress Reports
A. Tax Abatement
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, Community Investment: At the
most recent Common Council meeting the Common Council approved confirming
a resolution for Steel Warehouse. Steel Warehouse is investing $14 million to
install a new production line and build a new building to house that line, so they've
been granted those personal property and real property tax abatements. The
Common Council also passed a reconfirming resolution for Aunalytics. Aunalytics
is an internet service company that has a data server complex in Ignition Park.
Back in 2012 and 2013, Common Council approved a provision of Indiana Code
providing a tax exemption for the data server equipment. Indiana Code is
structured in such a way that for any equipment that is considered additional or
replacement of that type of equipment, a tax exemption would apply. So, the
Common Council passed a resolution that reconfirmed that finding and through
that process Aunalytics confirmed that they continue to be an eligible business
under state code and that the equipment they purchased would be considered
qualified property for which that tax exemption would apply. That's the single
action that Council needed to take place to ensure that they were going to be
receiving the exemption. Part of that project is $30-36 million for the purpose of
providing Al services to their customers. Aunalytics, at the time known as Data
Realty, was the first company to embrace the idea of Ignition Park. Ignition Park is
a Certified Technology Park. If the President Rich Carlson were here, he'd talk
about how it was 10-15 people and now they're at 240 based out of the South
Bend location. Very exciting project coming forward.
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: There will be an
forthcoming development commission likely related to the development of
Aunalytics.
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, Community Investment: Of the
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
roughly 300 employees of the company, more than 2/3 of them do live here in
South Bend.
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: So the 25, that's a
conservative estimate.
Commissioner Relos: asked whether the warehouse expansion is on Walnut St.
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, Community Investment: So it's
on Olive, so if you go South on Sample, Tucker Dr is the side street that you pull
into and there is the warehouse.
No other questions.
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, Community Investment: One
other item before I start, not City jurisdiction, but you might have seen an
announcement from our partners in St. Joseph County, the announcement of
multiple AWS facilities at $11 billion.
B. TIF Management Report
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: I will run through
briefly our TIF Management report. This is an annual report prepared and
submitted to Indiana Gateway, Department of Local Government Finance, just an
overview of each of the Economic Development Areas, then I will briefly run you
through the project update I gave to council on Monday night. I think it's good to
take stock of all the good projects moving forward or coming in the near future
that are secured.
You're familiar with the Redevelopment Commission as you're members of it, but
generally duties include investigating unit areas, the unit being the City of South
Bend, studying areas that need redevelopment, and selecting and acquiring areas
to be redeveloped.
Tax Increment Financing, you're also familiar with this, but this is the tool we use
to capture tax increments in the economic development areas. The establishment
of a TIF area and an economic development area sets a base value, and from the
date of that base value, any new assessed value growth is adjusted for inflation.
It's then utilized by Indiana Code for improvements in that area for additional
economic growth. [Shows and explains graph] The base tax revenue actually
does increase on an annual basis. That incremental tax revenue is what's being
captured in the district and then reinvested into that geography.
You're familiar with these districts, but I'll run through them here. There are 6
economic development areas in South Bend, River West development area is the
largest, Douglas Rd is very small, the West Washington Development area which
is the oldest development area in the City, and is nearing its sunset age, is shown
here in the areas around MLK Jr Center, River East and River East Residential
development area, and then the Southside Development Area. In total there are
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
13,502 parcels in these areas. In the five areas other than the River East
Residential areas are what we call commercial TIF, kind of your traditional types
of development, financing area, and those are capturing all commercial
increment, so they do not capture increment from homeowner occupied property
They do capture increment from a larger commercial apartment complex. In the
residential area, that's where you do see a capture from residential as well as
commercial. The State of Indiana has established new provisions for other types
of areas that do capture that residential growth, something we may explore later
this year.
Mr. Bauer then showed the Douglas Road Development area where Holiday
properties is currently located and a healthcare office space.
Mr. Bauer then went through fund balances at the year end of 2023
Caleb Bauer, Director of Community Investment: You can see that River West
Development has the largest fund balance, it is the largest development area,
River East and Southside making up the remaining majority of those fund
balances. Then River East Residential, West Washington and Douglas are
smaller. You can see over time we have built up some reserves in the districts, so
generally we are shooting to spend the revenue that's brought in on an annual
basis, making sure that's out in the community.
Let's look at revenues and expenses. All districts' revenues end of 2023 were $40
million, expenses were 37.9 so we did bring in a little more. You can see here in
River West, we actually spent down some reserves, as well as the Southside.
Expenditures in all Districts primarily go to capital outlay, which is project funding.
That could be street paving, that could be local improvements that are part of a
development agreement. The other primary use of these funds is services and
charges, so that engineering design, any consulting work, and then debt service
is obviously a very important part of the process, funding bond issuances.
Assessed Values. Looking at the 5-year cumulative growth in all the districts. At
the bottom you're seeing the base assessed values. As I mentioned, this does go
up after time, accounting for inflation and market assessed value growth. The
incremental assessed value increases at a much higher rate, showing the
assessments being made in the economic development areas are working.
Secretary Sallie asks the reason for the notable increase in 2023.
Caleb Bauer: We've had a number of large projects come online, but I don't
believe that was attributed to one project specifically.
You can see River West was relatively stable through the Covid era, then 2023
was when it really picked back up. Southside Development Area we've seen very
good growth and I expect that we will continue to see that. River East
Development Area, no surprise, real estate values have significantly increased in
the Economic Development Area. Looking at a 75 million dollar increase in
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
assessed value. I expect you'll see a very significant jump this year from the Toll
Brothers project new investment in that project. River East Residential has seen
significant growth, as you know, TIF does encompass the Eddy St Commons
area, so that base assessed value being so low, we're really capturing everything
that's happened around Eddy St. West Washington Development has also seen
good growth.
No comments or questions.
C. Major Projects Updates. Caleb Bauer states that this was presented to Common
Council along with Jordan Gathers, Director of Venues, Parks and Arts, however
Jordan is not present for this meeting so Mr. Bauer will not be presenting on VPA
projects. However many of the parks projects have been part of the neighborhood
improvements bond. Mr. Bauer noted that those aren't included in his
presentation, not because they're not important projects, but because that was
Jordan's presentation.
Advantix Development. 50-unit affordable housing development that was awarded
low-income tax credit from the State of Indiana. Expect to see ground breaking
this year with units completed by the end of next year. The City's role in
supporting this project includes the provision of land and tax abatement. Total
investment of $13 million with the vast majority of that being private investment.
Angela Blvd Improvements. This is a project that's actually already started, with
improvements from Michigan to Leahy St. It will include restriping, bringing it
down the three lanes, improving the dead-end sidewalk to connect all the way
down to Lincolnway West. This project is underway, completion anticipated later
this Summer, with total investment of $3.3 million with $2.3 million of that coming
from Notre Dame. So, City investment in this project is really in that multi -use path
program, and that's about a million dollars.
Cultivate Culinary. This is an agreement that came before you a couple of years
ago, but here is how the facility looks today [shows image]. Construction is
underway, and they are nearing completion. It should be done later this Summer.
Total investment here is $10 million.
Drewry's Cleanup. EPA was mobilized on this site last year, as of November 2023
they have completed remediation of asbestos and other known contaminants.
This is how the site generally looks today [shows image]. It is environmentally
cleaned up, but it does have a lot of debris remaining including existing
foundation and collapsed outbuildings, so that's what left of the remaining
cleanup. This is managed by the City team, and that will move forward this
Summer, cleaning up remaining debris and outbuildings. Total investment so far
has been $3 million dollars from the EPA as part of their cleanup.
Secretary Sallie: How long will it take before we can start using that property?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: This is a big property,
there is a lot of significant basement foundation to remove here so I'd expect we'd
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
be cleaning up through this year and likely next year. In the next two years we'd
hope to see this in a place where it's ready to go.
Vice -President Warner: Do you have an idea what the cost would be to get to
green field?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: We do have some
estimates, but I don't feel well equipped to give an accurate number today. I
would guess multiple millions, but we are exploring grant opportunities out there
We hope to make use of the City's partnership with the EPA to continue to help.
A question was asked whether EPA tested the soil?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: Both the City and
EPA tested the soil, and will continue to monitor as we continue to remove
foundation.
Joe Molnar, Property Development Manager: The EPA was actually impressed
how little soil contamination there was. It was collapsed rubble.
Diamond View and Stadium Flats. We expect ground to be broken on the 60-unit
Diamond View building, which was a low-income housing unit awarded this
summer. That's the building you see here [shows image]. Separately there are
the two 45-unit market rate buildings. I don't have a ground breaking date on the
market rate buildings, but it could push out into next construction season. City
support here was through the provision of the land and a development agreement
and tax abatement as approved by the Common Council. Total investment here is
$37.3 million.
Downtown Notre Dame Trail. This is a new multi -use path that will link downtown
to the University. Construction is planned to be completed this year, and total
investment is $11.5 million. That's shared between the City, Notre Dame and the
Hotel Motel Tax Board. You can see here, a lot of exciting projects with significant
contribution from the University. It's always exciting when we can allocate other
sources for funding public infrastructure projects. This trail will connect to the
South Street scape, so we've got a direct connection on LaSalle to Hill St, Hill St
north, then Notre Dame Ave to campus.
Five Corners. This project just broke ground last week. It's a 108-unit apartment
building with completion planned for 2026. The City provided limited support here
in the form of a tax abatement, and then total investment on this project is $31.5
million.
Four Winds Field Expansion. This has come before you multiple times in the form
of addition of a second deck, new seating, and new clubhouse. The design is
being finalized and we expect construction to begin this fall of 2024. Total
investment is $45 million, all of that coming from the professional sports
development area. The foresight shown in preparing our stadium for building a
second deck, building it with the original intention to add a second deck, if we
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
didn't have that this would be north of $150 million project.
Indiana Dinosaur Museum. Construction is wrapping up on the site on the shared
site between the Dinosaur Museum and the Chocolate Company, expected to
open this summer. The City provided tax abatement and direct funding support.
Total investment here is $14 million.
LaSalle Avenue Streetscape. Hopefully you've had an opportunity to drive down
here, this has been completed. There are a couple pieces left to finalize expected
to happen this month then the project will be fully completed. Total investment
here $7 million, thank you to the Commission for your support.
Liberty Tower Phase IV. If you recall, this came before you in 2022. 90 new
apartments being constructed on floors 18-26, a new rooftop lounge and bar
planned for the 7th floor, that will be able to be patronized by the public, so you
don't have to be a resident or hotel guest to go to that bar. Construction is
expected to be completed this year. The City provided direct funding support and
tax abatement and this $14.7 million investment.
Linden Ave Streetscape. This is paired with the MLK Dream Center, which was
presented to the Common Council by VPA. But an important streetscape that
supports the MLK Dream Center is the Linden Avenue Streetscape. It's underway
and June completion is the goal on Linden Ave, obviously the King Center will
take longer.
Mishawaka Avenue Streetscape. This is one that you might recall from the
neighborhood improvement bond that we have not yet begun but we're still
working through improvement designs along Mishawaka Ave. This shows the
traffic calming and pedestrian and street parking improvements. I just want to
note that it's subject to change as we work through improvements and design
Total investment on this is $3 million from the neighborhood.
MarMain Renovations. Renovations are substantially completed, I think there are
a handful of units left to remodel but the vast majority of the 120 units in the
building have been renovated with 48 set aside for voucher holders per an MOU
with the South Bend Housing Authority. This was part of a development
agreement that came before you all, total investment $4.95 million.
Secretary Salle: When do we expect to see some occupancy?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: There is active
occupancy now, they've been remodeling the units on a rolling basis. If they have
vacant units they'll remodel them, then move existing occupants into the
renovated units, then remodel their units.
Secretary Sallie: Then they mentioned that they were going to have an open
house and we were going to be invited.
Madison Lifestyle District and Beacon Patient Tower. We had this project in front
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
of you last month. Beacon's patient tower is under construction as we speak, the
largest project in the history of the hospital, growing the number of acute care
beds and replacing all of the acute care beds as well, and then the Madison
Lifestyle District. Between both projects we're looking at more than $330 million in
investment.
Mayor Stephen J. Luecke Coal Line Phases 20. We just completed Phase 2 of
the Coal Line trail, we're now looking at designs for Phase 3 of the Coal Line Trail
which would connect the trail from College St. all the way down Lincolnway W to
Orange past the MLK Center. Construction right now planned for kicking off in
2026.
Momentum. This is an entrepreneurial hub and commissary kitchen as well as
renovation of the SoMa Apartments. Multi -year construction timeline here, but the
total investment would amount to more than $6 million, City provided the land and
building abatement. We may look at some development agreements on this.
Commissioner Relos: Where is this located?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: This is in the old
Salvation Army.
Monreaux. You're familiar with this project, construction expected to begin this
year with 46 affordable housing units and 14 market rate units, total investment of
$16.9 million.
Olive & Western Redevelopment. This is the former PNA site. Ground broke
earlier this month on a new grocery store, restaurant and two tenant spaces on
the northwest corner of the Olive and Western intersection. The owner expects
construction to be completed by the end of 2024. The City provided land to unlock
this project, total investment $2.5 million.
South Bend Thrive. This is another low-income housing tax credit project, this is
South Bend Heritage's project, co -located with the YSB Center for Youth Success
off of McKinley. The City provided direct funding for the South Bend Thrive
Project as well as construction of the supporting infrastructure. Total investment
from South Bend Heritage, $14.5 million. Construction will begin later this
summer, there's already active construction.
Vice -President Warner: Is this also one of the READ[ projects?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: This was not. This
was LIHTC.
The 87 (Toll Brothers). This one is just east of the University of Notre Dame's
campus. Construction is underway and really starting to wrap up on the 335 rental
units and 26 townhomes that will be located on this site. A number of the
townhomes already have occupancy permits, none of the apartments do at this
point. Completion would be planned for the start of the next school year, August
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
of this year. More than $100 million dollars in investment on this project, I've
noted here that this did not require any incentives from the City of South Bend. I
think that's a good indication of how things are in the real estate market in the
immediate vicinity of campus. On the plus side, from an increment tax standpoint,
that means that once this is all aligned and occupancy is in place, we can expect
to see some significant growth. Increment tax should increase in this development
area.
Commissioner Relos: Is this the old Turtle Creek?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment Yes. It's kind of tucked
away but the townhome site has some open street access now.
The Hill. This is the redevelopment of the former St. Joseph Hospital office tower
being turned into a 69-unit apartment building. This came before you I believe a
year and a half, two years ago. Construction is complete, they do have full
occupancy in this building, leasing up as we speak. Direct funding support and tax
abatement were provided by the City, total investment here $14 million.
United Way One Roof SE and Future FNW Site. This was a project that was
completed in 2022. More recently, El Campito moved their pre-k facility into this
space. The City is working with United Way to find a new center for the far
northwest corner. Site location has been a challenge on that one but we're
working with United Way to find a new location for the center. Total investment $6
million and you can expect roughly the same on the far northwest corner.
Secretary Sallie: With the brewery being torn down on the northwest side, would
that be a possible location for [inaudible] or the Meussel Park that's there? I've
lived in that neighborhood for years and they've only used half of that land at
Elwood and Wilbur, it's not utilized at all. Is that possible?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment: We've looked at that
site, Meussel Grove Park does have a restrictive covenant that would preclude
any non -park activity there so we would have to get in touch with the family in
order to have that amended and removed, so that could prove difficult. We
haven't actively pursued that, but yes we've talked about that area.
Verbio Biorefinery. Phase one is planned to break ground this summer which
would add a portion of the new digestor tanks which would provide for the
processing of the renewal of natural gas as a byproduct from the ethanol plant.
It's a multi -year construction project, for the project to be completed the City did
provide support from the Common Council via tax abatement, total investment
here $230 million. This will be the first biorefinery in Indiana and one of the largest
in the Midwest. One of the other largest in the Midwest in Iowa is also owned by
Verbio.
Commissioner Relos: Any additional jobs?
Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment I think it will be
South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting — April 25, 2024
modest, they have already added new engineering positions at the plant.
Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, Community Investment: They
committed to ensuring when they brought the ethanol plant that the people who
were employed at the time, many who were employed through contract, were
brought onto Verbio and provided benefits.
Walker Field/Ewing Avenue Improvements. This is a shared -use path to be
constructed on the south side of Ewing Avenue, adding a new pedestrian entry
into Rum Village Park, as well as some traffic calming and pedestrian
improvements. Under engineering design, construction to begin late 24 or early
25. This is a neighborhood improvement bond -funded project at $2.5 million.
Youth Service Bureau. Like I mentioned, YSB is co -located with the South Bend
Thrive project on the same parcel. Construction has been underway since last
year. This is a photo from a few weeks back. The new center will expand the safe
haven shelter for more programming and really just consolidate YSB's services.
As you know they have a lot of different locations around the City, this will give
them one focus point in the center. The City did provide direct funding to YSB as
well as infrastructure support.
That's it for the presentation.
Vice President Warner: I think it makes sense for Mr. Gathers to come through
and present, I know a lot of those park improvements have come through RDC
through the neighborhood TIF bond and other things.
President Jones: Anything else for the good of the order?
Nothing else noted.
Upon a motion by Secretary Sallie, seconded by Vice -President Waner, the
motion carried unanimously, the Commission adjourned the meeting.
Next Commission Meeting:
Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 9:30 am
Adjournment
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 10.42 a.m.
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Vivian G. Sallie, Secretary
NAC
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Troy Warner, President