HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.C.(3) LaSalle Square Plan presentationCommunity & Economic
Division o f C o m m u n i t y
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1200 County-City Building, 227 Wesf Jefferson, Souih Bend, Indiana 46601-1830 ~ Phone 574/235-9371 • Fax 574/235-9021
To: Redevelopment Commission Members
Don I n k S , Redevelopment Director
F r o m : Jeff V l t t o n ,Community Development Planner
Subject : Agenda Item Request & Staff Report:
LaSalle Square Area Redevelopment Plan
Plan Approval Presentation
Date : September l6, ?008
The purpose of this correspondence is to outline the processes used to acquire professional
consulting services for the LaSalle Square Area Redevelopment Plan (Plan).
Staff completed a Request for Proposals (RFP), which was reviewed and approved internally. The
RFP outlined expected services and established general guidelines for the planning process. The
RFP was posted on the City's website on February 1, 2008 at
httpa/wwwsouthbendin.gov/lasallesquare.pdf. A letter was sent to 25 firms within a days' drive of
South Bend, informing them of the RFP's availability. A notice regarding the availability of the RFP
was posted on the American Planning Association's website, which is the professional organization
of urban and regional planners. Responses to the RFP were due on March 10, 2008.
To promote and ensure landowner, neighborhood, and community support for -and participation in-
the Plan, a Mayoral appointed Steering Committee was created to guide the planning process. As
such, the Steering Committee is comprised of landowners, neighborhood leaders, and members of
community institutions.
In collaboration with the Steering Committee, Staff reviewed the 22 proposals received over the
course of three meetings held on March 12, 19, and 25. As a result of these meetings, the Steering
Committee made a recommendation that the Redevelopment Commission select the consulting team
of ZPD+A and the Center for Neighborhood Technologies for planning services. The Redevelopment
Commission accepted the Steering Committee's recommendation pending a favorable contract
negotiation on March 28, 2008. On May 2, 2008 a notice to proceed was sent to the consultant to
begin the planning process.
The consultant team hosted two public meetings and three meetings with the Steering Committee,
which were used to plan for the public meetings. The Cirst public meeting was held on Saturday July
12, 2008 from 10 AM to 2 PM. 1~he meeting consisted of an image preference survey, an innovative
public engagement tool called 1~ransopoly, and aland-use planning charrette. Roughly 100 people
participated in the first public meeting. "I'he second public meeting consisted of a presentation of
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public input from the first public meeting, market research, and a question and answer section. They
also unveiled conceptual site plans for LaSalle Square. Around 7~ people participated in the second
public meeting on August 19, 2008. The consultant team also conducted interviews with residents,
industry leaders, and city officials'.
Based upon the finding from community input and market research the consultant team drafted a
plan that the Steering Committee reviewed on September 8, 2008. This draft can be viewed online
under "Draft Plan" ai:
http:llwww.southbendin.~ov/lasallesquaresteerin~;.htm
"The final document will be available to you at the Redevelopment Commission meeting, only minor
changes are contemplated based upon Steering Committee and Staff input.
Staff and the Steering Committee are confident that the consultant team fostered important
community dialogue, conducted a thorough market-analysis, and provided actionable
recommendations to foster revitalization.
If you have any questions, please call me at 235-5827 or 289-1066 x 206.
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