03-10-86 Human Resources & Economic Development

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• ittunttn annul • Wu the Mammon ato uwt1 atto ett 146=4 firm: HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The March 10, 1986 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairman Councilman Eugenia Braboy at 4 :50 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room: Persons in attendance included the following: Councilman Barcome, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Voorde, Braboy, Paszek, and Taylor; Mr. Louis Pohlman, Joseph Fragomeni, Eugenia Schwartz, Ann Kolata, Jim Seitz, Sandy Combs, Michael C. Murphy, members of the news media and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Councilman Braboy noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review Bill No. 17-86 which would designate 2211 East Jefferson Blvd. as an Economic Development Target Area. Mr. Michael C. Murphy then explained the background reasons for the petition. He noted that he had sent to the copy a letter dated March 7, 1986 which addresses the request of Cole Associates, Inc. (copy,_attached) . He noted that t1he bond was necessary in order for Cole Associates to construct a 13, 000. square foot addition to their present facility. The bond would be in the amount of $1,500,000. He noted that they believed that the area in question specifically qualified under I.C.. , 36-7-11.9-4 . He then passed out photos of the area when Cole Associates purchased the property in 1977 from the Dugdale estate. Mr. Murphy stressed that he believed that the Cole • project met the "broad other factors" test •of the State law language. Mr. Pohlman then reviewed various architectural drawings of the proposed edition. He noted that the parking lot would be expanded approximately 120 feet to the north of the present area. He then reviewed both the upper and lower expansion project. He also stressed that Cole Associates had grown to 203 current employees and that 45 new employees would be hired for the new addition. This represented new payroll of between $l.l to $1. 2 million dollars. Mr.Pohlman... further noted at the- time of building the original Cole Associates building they had anticipated a 25%expansion and had grown much larger than that. Mr. Pohlman also noted that Cole Associates also has offices in Merilliville, Indianapolis, and Chesterton, Indiana, with the corporate headquarters;_being located here in South Bend. Councilman Braboy noted the need to keep the corporate head- quarters here in South Bend and spoke favorably to the request for the designation. Councilman Paszek also spoke favorably with regard to the request. He noted that individuals from St. Anthonys spoke in favor of the Cole Associates ' request. . Mr. Murphy then highlighted that the President of the Swanson Improvement Association, lair. William E. Cauldwell also offered a letter of support of the project (copy attached). rut PN[fi alSEStpu PUBLISHING CO.