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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2016 PUBLIC HEARINGS (Cont'd) THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9:05 pm. Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of the bill: Samuel Brown, 222 E. Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated that he belongs to a watchdog group called Citizens United for a Better Government. He explained that he researched the project being discussed after hearing that it had had problems getting approved by Council. He found it unfair that the Council was nitpicking Mr. Matthews' project over a height limitation given the caliber of his work in the East Bank. He expressed hope that the Council would vote in favor of the project. Jesse Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend, IN, stated that he has seen a lot of development happening in Mishawaka, and that this project represents development that is needed in the East Bank area. Addressing Councilmember Williams- Preston's concerns for the fates of the poor who currently reside in the area, Mr. Davis stated that they were not going anywhere. He stated that new developments in Mishawaka, like a new hotel, parking garage, and convention center would be competing with South Bend. He warned that if the Council continued to play politics, he would enjoy the amenities in Mishawaka and that developers would turn their. sights to Mishawaka. He argued that Mr. Matthews is not pushing anyone out of the neighborhood, stating, You guys tore down 1,000 houses in a 1,000 days; you chased a thousand people out of town. This is a guy who wants to spend $50,000,000 here. He warits to draw people downtown. He stated that people in proximity to the development would get used to the shadow it would cast. He felt that the Council could always renegotiate height variances for future projects, regardless of how they decide on this project, and that Matthews' project belonged in the neighborhood and should be approved. Jonathan Anderstrom, Executive Director of Monroe Circle Community Center, 526 West Western Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that he was in favor of the project because its purposes focus on two (2) key elements necessary for community development: the structure of how we gather, and the context in which our gatherings take place. He stated that large shifts occur as a result of a great deal of small steps made by those patient enough to experiment and learn and experiment again. He included Matthews LLC in this bracket of patient experimenters, further stating that these small steps are "indicative of larger growth opportunities." He stated that this was not merely a business proposal, but one to enhance and develop the social fabric of the City while promoting the value of social networking. He stated, The real challenge for the Council tonight is to discover and create the means that introduce a new possibility into being. And yes, a pharmacy downtown would be very helpful. Kevin McCrory, 412 South Lafayette Boulevard, South Bend, IN, stated that housing was the magic pill that changed everything in downtown South Bend. He stated that apartments, condominiums, and home - ownership throughout the downtown area has brought vitality and life for the last five (5) to eight (8) years that never existed for almost twenty (20) years prior, to his knowledge. He expressed that he believed South Bend's transformation will be strengthened by developments such as the one in question. This project will not only enhance South Bend's urban fabric, but will encourage additional investments from firms such as Jones Petrie Rafinski, to which he belongs. Meghan Curwin, 223 East Colfax Avenue, stated Fort Wayne really reinvented itself after building downtown housing. Fort Wayne built its housing up around their minor league ball -park and then restaurants moved in and business began to boom. That is happening here in South Bend too and we were fortunate to have Andrew Berlin come into town and revitalize Four Winds Field and bring us the South Bend Cubs. Going from nine (9) stories to twelve stories (12) is splitting hairs. She stated we should go for the greatest potential as possible. She stated we are fortunate to have someone like Mr. Mathews and other cities wish they have developers like him. We will see an increase of jobs and an increase of property values for that entire neighborhood. Increased foot traffic will be good for the entire City and places like the South Bend Symphony and the restaurants. The increased density will bring about a positive domino effect for South Bend. 17