04/23/07 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes (2)

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Community and economic ^eve[opment Committee Apri[ 23, 20D7 Page 5 • Goal is to develop an "interstate quality facility" • "Record of Decision" is determined by the federal government and that no monies can be spent until such decision is rendered • St.JosephlMarshall County E15 got their record of decision on June 29, 2006 • Howard CauntylKokomo EIS should get their record of decision in the next several weeks • Hamilton County EIS are delayed in getting their record of decision Mr. McMahon then reviewed the third handout. Handout # 3: "Population Served: One-Day Ground Service"..Map: • The red circle depicts 40.2 million for the South Bend area fnr 1-day ground service for non-manufacturing items • Harrisburg, PA is #1 in the nation with 46-48 million, with the South Bend area being # 2, noting that manufacturing would be totally difference areas Mr. McMahon then reviewed the fourth handout Handout # 4: "Northern Indiana's Heavv Hauf Route." Ma Mr, McMahan suggested that letters to LaPorte Mayor Morris may be in order. He explained that Indiana state highways have a limit of 80,000#; the [ndiana Toll Road has a limit of 90,000# and the heavy haul route depicted in red has a limit of 134,000#; whereas the state highways in Michigan have a limit of 159,000#. Mr. McMahon noted that '134,000# and 159,000# permit two (2) rolls of steel to be hauled. The vertical blue line depicts the AEP area where rates are very attractive and have resulted in costs savings, with the other side being the NIPSCO rate area The blue circle depicts the Union MillslVllellsbora area which is under consideration for the prapased inner-modal facility where rail cars may be doubled stacked. The closest inner-modal facilities now are located in Detroit and Chicago. The prapased inner- modal facility is an exciting economic development projected which South Bend may benefit from in the future. In response to a question from Council Member Pfeifer, Mr. McMahon stated that the cost to upgrade bridges is one of the most expensive considerations when considering road limits. He added that he sees many regional issues. The consultant Kate McEnroe will be lacking from a "site selection" perspective as well as from a