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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRedevelopment Commission Minutes 09.12.24 CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES September 12, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. BPW Conference Room, 13th Floor, County-City Building https://tinyurl.com/RDC-Meeting-2T The South Bend Redevelopment Commission was called to order at 9:30 a.m. President Troy Warner presiding. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: Troy Warner, President David Relos, Vice President Vivian Sallie, Secretary Eli Wax, Commissioner Leslie Wesley, Commissioner Note: Commissioner Marcia Jones has resigned, and the Commission thanks her for her 50 plus years of service. We will honor that service at a future meeting. Legal Staff: Danielle Campbell Weiss, Asst. City Attorney Redevelopment Staff: Caleb Bauer, Exec. Director, DCI Sarah Schaefer, Deputy Director, DCI Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, DCI Rosa Tomas, Director of Finance, DCI Joseph Molnar, Asst. Dir. of Growth and Opp., DCI Erin Michaels, Property Development Manager, DCI Tim Corcoran, Chief Planner, DCI Chris Dressel, Senior Planner, DCI Elizabeth Mayorga, Business Resource Specialist, DCI Laura Hensley, Board Secretary, DCI Others Present: Mike Keen, The Baker Group CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 12, 2024 2 Patrick Sherman, Project Manager, Public Works Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works Jennifer Huddleston, Neighborhood Grants Mngr., DCI 2. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, August 22, 2024 Upon a motion by Vivian Sallie for approval, second by David Relos, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Thursday, August 22, 2024 regular meeting minutes on September 12, 2024. 3. Approval of Claims A. Claims Allowances 08.28.2024 B. Claims Allowances 08.28.2024 Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, second by Eli Wax, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the claims allowances of September 12, 2024. 4. Old Business A. None 5. New Business A. Redevelopment Fund (a.k.a Pokagon Fund) 1. Budget Request (YSB and South Bend Thrive) Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity presented the budget request of $120K covers the construction of sidewalks throughout the project site at the Youth Services Bureau and South Bend Thrive Development, which is taking place on the east side near the corner of McKinley and Hickory. There will be a community center and housing for at-risk youth, in addition to other services that will be provided there. The funding support for this project has not come before the RDC prior. This is a supplemental request that would allow the completion of the sidewalks on the site. Commissioner David Relos asked if the photo was slightly different from what has been constructed and Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment stated that was correct and in a closer look at the photo there is a driveway that loops and has a street pattern CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 12, 2024 3 which will be a public street. Mr. Bauer clarified that the street will not go through Sorin Park however a sidewalk will. Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Vivian Sallie, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the budget request as presented on September 12, 2024. 2. Budget Request (TIF Area Expansion – Financial Analysis) Chris Dressel, Senior Planner, stated that there is a need for the expansion of our TIF’s, and adding some additional properties. The last such expansion was about 2 1/2 years ago and that was about 100 properties. The request is for 200 properties now. There have also been changes to the Riverfront Liquor License program where there's been some expanded eligibility. He explained that a Resolution will be introduced next month for permission to start the process and to approve this financial analysis and legal description. Commissioner Eli Wax asked if the cost is for the entire process and if an outside council has been selected. Mr. Dressel explained Baker Tilly has been used in the past and this is for the entire process. Commissioner David Relos asked about a particular area of expansion and Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment stated #6 Kitchen and a new potential breakfast business in the Near Northwest Neighborhood is not part of River West Development area and is not able to take advantage of the riverfront liquor license. Also, areas around Portage Ave., near Meijer, SR 23, Rum Village Park area, IUSB, and the Southside have growth potential. Commissioner Eli Wax asked if any of these sunsets and Mr. Bauer believes that none of the three will sunset in the next few years, the West Washington development area will sunset in 2026 which is the 1st. district to sunset and River East may be the next one in the 2030’s. (The River East development area will sunset in 2033) Commissioner David Relos asked about the Pokagon Funding and Mr. Bauer clarified that for the sake of the agenda it is under this heading however, Redevelopment Fund (a.k.a Pokagon Fund). If the request is approved, it will draw an equal amount of funding from the impacting districts. Commissioner Vivian Sallie asked that the minutes reflect this. Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval, seconded by Vivian Sallie, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the budget request as presented on September 12, 2024. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 12, 2024 4 3. Budget Request (TIF Area Expansion – Legal Description) Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment stated this is the same request for consulting services to provide the legal description. Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Vivian Sallie, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the budget request as presented on September 12, 2024. B. River East Development Area 1. Budget Request (Gintz Dr. and Stephenson Mills Parking Lot) Patrick Sherman, Project Manager, Public Work presented the budget request of $750K to cover the construction work started back in 2017, to regrade and repave Gintz Dr. from Colfax Ave. to Seitz Park. This fulfills City contractual obligations to Stephenson Mills parking lot following the Notre Dame hydro and Seitz Park projects. Public Works has worked closely with Cascades and Stephenson Mills to create a plan that works for everyone. The project includes new sidewalks and lighting and is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2024. Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment stated that this was amended from the documents in the packet that was sent to the commissioners from $800K to $750K after the Board of Public Works received bids this past Tuesday. Commissioner David Relos asked if this covers the whole project and Mr. Sherman confirmed. Commission Eli Wax asked if this was part of the original agreement in 2017 between the parties and Mr. Bauer confirmed. Mr. Sherman stated that the East side will have grass and curbs at the parking lot and the Seitz Park project is scheduled to be completed September 27th, 2024. Mr. Matt Barrett, resident asked about why the request at this time and Mr. Bauer explained that this has been part of the project and didn’t feel it was necessary to request an appropriation prior to this point as the project is wrapping up now and hope to close out all the different pieces as part of that tri-party agreement. Mr. Sherman was happy that all the pieces came together, and all parties agreed. Parking is being restored as well. Upon a motion by Eli Wax for approval with the notation the total is $750K, seconded by Vivian Sallie, the motion carried unanimously; the CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – September 12, 2024 5 Commission approved the budget request as presented on September 12, 2024. C. River West Development Area 1. Second Amendment Development Agreement (Bakery Group) Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity presented the second amendment for the Ward Bakery building agreement. The property is in the middle of Near Northwest Neighborhood at the intersection of Portage, California and Cottage Grove. He stated that in August of 2021 RDC approved the development agreement with The Bakery Group for $3.75 million of private investment with $300K of funding from Redevelopment for a commercial center for small businesses and entrepreneurs to be completed within 36 months. The first amendment in June of 2022 as to how the funding would be spent. The Bakery Group has since added new windows, masonry repairs, HVAC system, plumbing repairs, new flooring, structural repairs, new roof, new skylights, and site improvements (photos & video were provided). Mr. Molnar stated that this second amendment is due to difficulty in sourcing materials and would extend the completion date by 18 months with no other substantive changes, however, is expected to be completed early next year. Mike Keen, President of The Bakery Group thanked the city and staff for supporting them through this process. He explained that the project will exceed the estimated $3.75 million to $5.2 -$5.4 million by completion. Phase 1 will have space for approximately 35 to 40 tenants and 6 retail spaces. On the lower level, there will be 13 spaces for maker, and studio space. There are going to be 18-19 office spaces called a co-lab. Tennent’s will have an entrepreneurial and small-scale development ecosystem with a kitchen area. He explained that the budget has jumped due to the focus on the exterior of the building and will be pleasing to the neighborhood. Mr. Molnar also stated that The Bakery Group has submitted all necessary reporting documents. Commissioner Leslie Wesley wanted to congratulate Mr. Keen and his team for the outer appearance and work being done. Commissioner Eli Wax stated that before and after photos would show the great progress thus far. Mr. Keen explained that supply chain issues with windows and electrical components have been challenging, however, the contractors are making progress. Mr. Barrett thanked Mr. Molnar regarding all the reports that have been filed and asked about using local contractors. Mr. Keen stated that The Bakery Group have used many local contractors and listed them. Mr. Keen wants to create wealth in the community, for the community, and will continue to seek minority contractors.