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REGULAR MEETING October 23, 2017
<br /> Parks Master Plan, as well as other community pieces of feedback and other planning documents
<br /> such as the Riverfront Parks and Trails conceptual framework that was just completed a couple
<br /> of months ago,the City Cemetery Master Plan,the Coal Line Trail planning process. We also
<br /> consulted with all kinds of industry standards and benchmarks. We're one (1) of the only
<br /> agencies in the country using georeferenced amenity standards programs. As a matter of fact, a
<br /> PhD student in North Carolina just presented on South Bend's work using that, combined with
<br /> the Trust for Public Land's park score. We're the only agency that I'm aware of that has operated
<br /> at the level of thought and detail that went into this. Mr. Perri explained that six (6)benchmark
<br /> indices were considered: how issues in social equity can be tackled, how public safety is looked
<br /> at, ecology, neighborhood improvement, economic impact, and recreation value. Mr. Perri stated
<br /> that there has been an attempt to educate the public on the societal benefits beyond health and
<br /> wellness that parks offer the community.
<br /> Mr. Perri continued, The Council was onboard enough to support an initial parks bond—the first
<br /> one (1) in almost forty (40) years—a couple of years ago. In the past two (2) years,thanks to that
<br /> work, we've been able to complete quite a few projects all over the City. We've been very proud
<br /> of the work that's been happening. A lot of these things have been deferred maintenance
<br /> projects, if we are honest. That wasn't hidden when we first looked at it. It was kind of a
<br /> neglected system, but, along the way, we have also been able to do quite a few neat things as
<br /> well, such as new playgrounds at Kennedy, and a splash pad and basketball at Fremont, and
<br /> other ones. There are currently several projects we've got in progress right now. We just
<br /> announced the new dog park coming out in Rum Village. We just broke ground at Howard Park.
<br /> We've got a few projects underway. We have made all of this information available over the past
<br /> five (5)months at mysbparksandtrails.com. The Charles Black Center renovation and expansion
<br /> we are really proud of, as well.
<br /> Mr. Perri continued, Then we have this suite of projects that are currently planned and proposed.
<br /> Heavily along the riverfront, as a result of My SB Parks, is the Riverfront Parks and Trails
<br /> Conceptual Framework peppered through just about every neighborhood, including
<br /> neighborhoods that haven't historically been serviced by the parks system. Howard Park, lots of
<br /> riverfront trail upgrades, Seitz Park,Leeper Park, Pinhook—that's our kind of Riverfront Parks
<br /> and Trails Conceptual Framework. Then we go out into the neighborhoods and look at Pulaski
<br /> Park. On the south side,you have O'Brien Center. Just about every park that has a pavilion is in
<br /> need of upgrades in some way, shape, or form. We have twenty-two (22)restrooms throughout
<br /> the parks system—none of them are ADA-compliant. We will be making those all compliant and
<br /> upgrading those, as well. The Coal Line Trail; some work on the golf round at Erskine and Elbel;
<br /> the City Cemetery; some additional security efforts—we have some real storage needs, as well as
<br /> those new park build-outs and acquisitions to help service areas that are underserved. Mr. Perri
<br /> stated that though he is excited about these projects, many of these improvements are simply
<br /> needed for the community.
<br /> Mr. Perri continued, I mentioned the Trust for Public Land partnership that we had. We are
<br /> certainly the smallest city to undertake this type of study. We are one (1) of the only ones that
<br /> have combined it with the georeferenced standards program I'd mentioned. Mr. Perri explained
<br /> that they took a look at where parks are located in the City in relation to where people live,
<br /> paying particular attention to low-income demographics, population density, and where children
<br /> live. Mr. Perri stated, There are actually four(4)key areas that we want to target for investments
<br /> with additional either acquisitions or build-outs or partnerships. That's contemplated in the entire
<br /> My SB Parks and Trails initiative.
<br /> Mr. Perri continued, Tonight, you're going to hear about two (2) different bond issues that really
<br /> make this entire transformative piece of work possible. The funding mechanism's roughly a
<br /> third, a third, and a third. We've already got committed just over$12,000,000 worth of outside
<br /> funding. These are partnerships with the University of Notre Dame and the Pokagon Band and
<br /> the Potawatomi Indians. These are state grants, like Regional Cities, and federal grants, like the
<br /> Rails to Trails program. We seek to leverage those funds with the two (2) bonds that you'll hear
<br /> tonight. One (1) would be a redevelopment bond from the River West TIF, and one (1) would be
<br /> a new parks bond. To move into some of the pragmatics of Bill No. 17-72 that you have in front
<br /> of you: it is the redevelopment bond, which was unanimously approved at the Redevelopment
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