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REGULAR MEETIN
<br />FEBRUARY 27, 2017
<br />current form. Mr. Kirby stated that the petitioner's aim was to compliment the neighborhood as
<br />well as what has been established by Phase One (1) of the Eddy Street Commons project.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br />Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of this bill:
<br />Tim Sexton, Associate Vice President for Public Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, 405
<br />Main Building, Notre Dame, IN, stated that the University elected to have Kite work on Phase
<br />Two (2) of the Eddy Street Commons project, as they had worked on Phase One (1). Mr. Sexton
<br />explained that Kite Realty was in dialogue with community residents through the Harter Heights
<br />listserv, the Northeast Neighborhood Council, the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization
<br />Organization, and the Triangle Homeowners Association. He expressed appreciation toward Kite
<br />Realty for having thorough communication with the community and stated that the University
<br />fully endorsed the current plan for Eddy Street Commons Phase Two (2).
<br />Paul Meyer, NNRO and South Bend Clinic, 211 North Eddy Street, South Bend, IN, stated that
<br />this project aims to raise the quality of life and the quality of the residential aspects of the
<br />community while bringing economic benefit to the entire community. Mr. Meyer stated, It
<br />combines the opportunity to live, work, and play in one (1) neighborhood. Mr. Meyer also
<br />lauded Kite Realty's engagement with the community and expressed approval for the project on
<br />behalf of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization.
<br />Jessica McCray, 1104 Duey Avenue, South Bend, IN, expressed the endorsement of the project
<br />by the Triangle Homeowners Association. Ms. McCray stated that the community felt itself
<br />heard in the dialogues with Kite Realty, further commending the group's community
<br />engagement.
<br />Richard Pierce, University of Notre Dame and Robinson Community Learning Center, 1210 East
<br />Wayne Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the Robinson Community Learning Center Board
<br />unanimously endorses the project.
<br />Mary Williams, 601 East Howard Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the Robinson Community
<br />Learning Center has been a great pillar to the neighborhood and community, expressing gratitude
<br />for all the opportunities that the Center offers children of the area. She concluded by stating,
<br />Without the Center, I don't know what my family would have done.
<br />Those from the public wishing to speak in opposition to this bill:
<br />S.J. Szabo, with offices on Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that the urban
<br />development in the Eddy Street Commons is ill- placed and saps energy from downtown South
<br />Bend. Mr. Szabo stated, The neighbors may have come to terms with it, but the City never will.
<br />It will suffer always because of it.
<br />Jessica Payne, 1119 North Francis Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the Eddy Street Commons
<br />project has so far been for Notre Dame students and their enjoyment rather than to the benefit of
<br />the area's community. Ms. Payne cited early parking concerns, arguing that many people hesitate
<br />to pay for a parking spot in the garage. She also cited early concerns with the establishment of a
<br />bar in the area. She stated, This is far from a great live /work type of community. I had that,
<br />actually, before Eddy Street came about. Ms. Payne stated that what used to be a quiet and
<br />peaceful neighborhood has become one where she hears nothing but the yelling of Eddy Street
<br />patrons at night who park in the neighborhood instead of the garage. She stated that if there are
<br />no measures to mitigate the parking problem included in the language of the bill, that the Council
<br />would be writing off a large portion of a neighborhood "that has been there long before Notre
<br />Dame ever thought to spread its wings beyond its boundaries."
<br />Doug Kirby returned to the podium and stated that the southern blocks (C, D, E) will primarily
<br />be focused on rentals for graduate students of the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Kirby further
<br />stated that the parking problem in the area most likely predates the Eddy Street Commons and is
<br />an issue that should most likely be resolved on the City level.
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