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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRedevelopment Commission Minutes 06.26.25 - Signed CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES June 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. BPW Conference Room, 13th Floor, County-City Building https://tinyurl.com/RDC-2025-4T The South Bend Redevelopment Commission was called to order at 9:30 a.m. Vice President David Relos presiding. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: David Relos, Vice President Gillian Shaw, Commissioner Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Commissioner Marcus Ellison, Non-Voting Advisor Members Absent: Troy Warner, President Eli Wax, Secretary Legal Staff: Sandra Kennedy, Corporation Council - Virtual Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Asst. City Attorney - Virtual Redevelopment Staff: Caleb Bauer, Exec. Director, DCI Sarah Schaefer, Deputy Director, DCI - Virtual Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, DCI Joseph Molnar, Asst. Dir. of Growth and Opp., DCI Erin Michaels, Property Development Manager, DCI Leslie Biek, Engineering Others Present: Greg Swiercz, South Bend Tribune Matt Barrett, 110 S. Niles Ave. John Kim, Resident CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – June 26, 2025 2 2.Approval of Minutes A.Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, June 12, 2025 Upon a motion by Gillian Shaw for approval, second by Ophelia Gooden- Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the minutes of the regular meeting of June 12, 2025. B.Approval of Minutes of the Executive Session of Thursday, June 12, 2025 Upon a motion by Gillian Shaw for approval, second by David Relos, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the minutes of the executive session of June 12, 2025. 3.Approval of Claims A.Claims Allowances June 10, 2025 Upon a motion by Gillian Shaw for approval second by Ophelia Gooden- Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the claims allowances of June 10, 2025. 4.Old Business A.None 5.New Business A.River West Development Area 1.Budget Request (Rebuilding Our Streets 2025) Leslie Biek, Engineering, presented a budget request for $1.5 million and explained that this is an additional request, however, River West now has the funds available for the 2025 Rebuilding Our Streets project. Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked if we have competitive bids for paving and Ms. Biek stated that we will be able to pave all the roads that need paving as well as milling down farther to extend the life of the roads. Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Budget Request as presented on June 26, 2025. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – June 26, 2025 3 2. Fourth Amendment to Purchase Agreement (The Monreaux) Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, presented this Amendment to extend the timeline for the former Fat Daddy’s site purchase agreement and would extend the contingency date to September 30, 2025. On July 14, 2022, the Commission approved a Purchase Agreement with Devereaux Peters for the sale of the site designated for a Low- Income Housing Tax Credit Project. The project received tax credit allocation during the Fall 2023 cycle with a minimum investment of $17.7 million and an RDC commitment of $3.3 million for fifty-seven (57) units. Subsequently, on November 25, 2024, the Commission approved a Third Amendment to the Purchase Agreement, extending the contingency deadline to June 30, 2025. As The Monreaux, LLC prepares for closing, they have been working to obtain an updated environmental report for the property through a firm selected by their lender. However, the report has been delayed. This Fourth Amendment accounts for the additional time required to complete the environmental review, which is the final document needed to proceed with the property closing. Upon a motion by Gillian Shaw for approval, seconded by David Relos, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Amendment as presented on June 26, 2025. B. River East Development Area 1. Request for Proposals – Northside Blvd. & Louise St. (Former YMCA Northside Blvd.) Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, presented that in 2024, the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) acquired the former YMCA property located at Northside Blvd. and Louise St. as part of a broader agreement to establish a fully operational YMCA in downtown South Bend. Since the acquisition, all existing structures on the site have been cleared, and the property is now ready for redevelopment. The attached Request for Proposals (RFP) invites developers to submit proposals for the site’s redevelopment. The property spans nearly six (6) acres and is situated along the St. Joseph River, in close proximity to key cultural and recreational amenities such as the South Bend Farmers Market, Market District shops, and the riverwalk leading to Howard Park and downtown South Bend. CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – June 26, 2025 4 The RFP outlines submission requirements, project criteria, and the evaluation process. While the preferred use for the site is middle- density housing—such as small-scale apartments and townhomes— other proposals compatible with the existing zoning will also be considered. Mr. Molnar also gave details of the process, and all proposals will be due by September 10, 2025. Vice President Relos asked about taking into consideration the water table and flood events in the future and Mr. Molnar stated that this would accommodate that as well as provide, built-in drainage to not go any further into the site. Commissioner Shaw asked if there has been interest in the site and Mr. Molnar stated that there was. John Kim, a resident, asked about the number of market rate units and Mr. Molnar stated that it would be up to the developer. Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Request as presented on June 26, 2025. 2. Request for Proposals – 403 E. Madison St. (Former Singer Sewing Manufacturing Building) Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, presented that in April 2025, the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) acquired the historic Singer Manufacturing Building located at 403 E. Madison Street. Constructed in 1868, it stands as one of South Bend’s oldest surviving commercial structures. Originally built as a factory for the Singer Sewing Company, the building was later converted into office space during the 1960s and 1970s. RDC staff view this property as a key redevelopment opportunity for the East Bank neighborhood and a chance to revitalize an important piece of the city’s architectural heritage. The Request for Proposals (RFP) invites developers to submit plans that include a full rehabilitation of the building while retaining the existing childcare tenant space. The structure encompasses approximately 60,000 square feet and sits on 3.39 acres along the St. Joseph River. The RFP outlines submission requirements, project expectations, evaluation criteria, and the review process. While the RFP encourages proposals aligned with the Downtown DT zoning district, it remains open to a variety of compatible uses. Mr. Molnar also gave details of the process and the pedestrian bridge, and all proposals will be due by October 8, 2025. Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked if a developer wanted to purchase the property without the East Bank Learning Center what CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – June 26, 2025 5 would the process be? Mr. Molnar stated that the Learning Center would need 12 months’ notice per terms of the lease and the RDC feels this is a high-quality childcare center and would like to continue the partnership. Commissioner Shaw asked if the RFP describes the preservation of bricks, windows and the historic nature of the building. Mr. Molnar stated that it does address these details. Commissioner Shaw also asked about environmental issues on the site and Mr. Molnar advised that it will be part of the due diligence process and is clear for residential development. Upon a motion by Gillian Shaw for approval, seconded by Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Request as presented on June 26, 2025. 6. Progress Reports A. Tax Abatement Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, stated that the Common Council recently approved two (2) declaratory resolutions. The first pertains to the former Studebaker truck plant located on Chippewa Avenue, behind Chippewa Bowl. The current property owner plans to invest approximately $11 million to rehabilitate the rear portion of the facility. This area includes roughly 50 small concrete structures— originally constructed during World War II for testing aircraft engines—that are no longer usable or leasable. The proposed investment includes demolition of these structures, environmental remediation, and upgrades such as new loading docks to make the space functional and leasable. The Council approved an eight-year real property tax abatement to support this redevelopment effort. The second resolution supports a project by KCG, a developer known for pursuing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects. KCG is planning a new development at 2020 S. Main Street, for which the Council approved a ten-year tax abatement. This action demonstrates the City’s commitment to supporting the project as KCG seeks tax credit allocation. The Council also approved the necessary rezoning for the site at the same meeting. During the discussion, Vice President Relos noted that the Studebaker site sits near the headwaters of Bowman Creek and has a history of environmental contamination due to its former use for jet engine testing. While the full extent of remediation is not yet known, the current focus is on clearing the small structures and activating the rear of the building. The site is considered a hidden gem with significant storage capacity, and it was mentioned that Studebaker Auto Parts had previously relocated CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – June 26, 2025 6 inventory to this area. Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers was also recognized for having worked and retired from that building. B.Common Council C.Other Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment, gave updates for the progress of the Liberty Tour and the eighty-eight (88) apartments are nearly completed. Mr. Bauer also addressed the Momentum project asked about earlier in the meeting and advised that it is soft open with a full opening later next month. Joseph Molnar gave an update regarding properties. The RDC has entered into a purchase agreement with Allen Edwin Homes to build sixteen (16) units near N. Marion St. and has closed on that property. The RDC also will close next week with the Real America project as well the Advantix project. 7.Next Commission Meeting Thursday, July 10, 2025, 9:30 a.m. at the BPW Conference Room 13th Floor 8.Adjournment Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10:15 a.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Eli Wax, Secretary Troy Warner, President