HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-09 Community and Economic Developement Development Committee~~;~~ ~'~
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~~~~~~'~~ COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 26, 2009
Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Chairperson; Henry Davis, Vice-
Chairperson; Ann Puzzello; Karen White; Catherine
Andres, Citizen Member
Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter; Tom LaFountain
Others Present: Gary Gilot; Rita Kopala; David Relos, Don Inks, Phil
Byrd, Allert Brown-Gort; Bill Schalliol
Agenda: Bill No. 09-40 -Adds Hansel Center to West Washington-Chapin Development
Area. This bill approves the actions by the South Bend Redevelopment
Commission and the St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission to add the
Hansel Center at 1405 W. Washington to the acquisition list.
Chairperson Timothy Rouse opened consideration of the approval request by recognizing Bill
Schalliol to make the presentation. He along with David Relos also of the Economic
Development Department, Phil Byrd of South Bend Heritage, and Allert Brown-Gort of the Center
for Latino Studies at Notre Dame outlined the request proposal. The proposal, as described,
would be a joint venture between the City and Notre Dame to acquire the old Hansel Center, re-
hab the structure, transfer ownership and maintenance responsibilities to Notre Dame, all to
house the Notre Dame Center for Art and Culture. Cost to the city using TIF funds $370,000,
additional rehab dollars to be borne by Notre Dame, approximately $1.2 million. Notre Dame
would operate the building as a neighborhood and cultural center housing an office of Latino
Studies and afine-art print house relocating here from Tempe Arizona. The presenters stated the
project would attract permanent jobs, improve the diversity of the economic base, add to a
museum/arts district, and attract additional private investment to the neighborhood.
Councilmember Henry Davis, representing the 2"d District, home of the project, questioned
whether this was the best use of TIF dollars for the neighborhood. His preference would be to
use the funds to bring jobs and more assessed value to the area. Councilmember Rouse wonder
whether other parties were given access to TIF dollars as was Notre Dame.
Councilmember White asked if other neighborhood organizations had been asked for input. After
further discussion mainly concerning the economic benefit to the area of such a project,
Councilmember Henry Davis motioned the bill go to full Council with an unfavorable
recommendation. There was no second. Councilmember Puzzello moved to forward without
recommendation. Councilmember White offered a second advising the petitioners to include
neighborhood groups and sentiments into further discussions. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Rouse
adjourned the meeting at 4:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Timothy A. Rous hairperson
Community and onomic Development Committee