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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 9, 2010
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<br />neighborhood through his previous development of the Parkview Atrium Office Building
<br />and his rehabilitation of the building proposed for this development are an indicator of
<br />the quality he demands in development. Mr. Stratigos stated that they believe the
<br />proposed changes in use to be a necessary catalyst in spurring new development in the
<br />Howard Park section of the East Bank. One which will fit in with the City’s plans to do
<br />changes to the streetscape on Jefferson and St. Louis and one which will be a
<br />neighborhood amenity long into the future. Mr. Stratigos stated that he is excited and in
<br />favor of this project. He urged the Council favorable consideration on this bill.
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<br />Mr. John Phair, 227 S. Main Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that this location was
<br />identified as a commercial use site and is an excellent fit for Phase II of the East Bank
<br />Village Development. Mr. Phair placed on file a copy of the Howard Park Neighborhood
<br />Plan. He urged the Council’s favorable consideration on this bill.
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<br />Dr. Frank Toepp, 727 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, stated that his business is
<br />located directly across the street to the north of this project. Dr. Toepp stated that he is
<br />here tonight in support of this proposed development. He stated that he believes this
<br />project will be an added improvement to the neighborhood.
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<br />Mr. Richard Rice, CEO, Teacher’s Credit Union, 110 S. Main, Street South Bend,
<br />Indiana, and 823 E. Jefferson, Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is in favor of this
<br />project. He believes that this is a good proposal; it is a positive project, upscale
<br />development. Mr. Rice asked for the Council’s favorable consideration.
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<br />Mr. Julian Cephas, LaSalle Grill, stated that he is in favor of this project. He has worked
<br />for Mr. Mark McDonnell for 19 years and believes Mark is an excellent business
<br />developer. He noted that he is local not an out of town developer. Mr. Cephas stated that
<br />Mr. McDonnell truly cares about South Bend and wants great things to happen here. He
<br />urged the Council’s favorable consideration.
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<br />Mr. Ron Radecki, 721 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill.
<br />Mr. Radecki advised that this project will be a fine addition to the neighborhood and
<br />urged the Council for their favorable consideration.
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<br />Mr. Andrew Galloway, 617 S. Falcon, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has worked
<br />for Mr. McDonnell for 27 years. He stated that Mark is a good guy and urged the
<br />Council to do this project.
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<br />Mr. Tim Hacker, 210 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has been a
<br />resident of the Howard Park Neighborhood for over 50 years. He stated that he lives next
<br />door to this project. Mr. Hacker stated that this project will be a wonderful asset to the
<br />community. He urged the Council’s favorable consideration.
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<br />Mrs. Betty Sweeney, 115 N. Sunnyside, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill.
<br />Mrs. Sweeney stated that she owned 713,714,716 E. Jefferson Blvd., immediately to the
<br />east of this project. She is very much in favor of this project and encouraged the Council
<br />to adopt this resolution.
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<br />The following individual spoke in opposition to this bill:
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<br />Rev. Susan Sickelka, Interim Minister Zion United Church of Christ, 715 E. Wayne,
<br />South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this bill. She stated that the congregation of
<br />the Church is not against the commercial use of this site or the use of a restaurant at this
<br />location. She noted that they are not morally against the use of alcohol, however, they
<br />are against the poor planning and development of this site due to the lack of parking.
<br />Shift from two to four controlled uses within 1,000 feet. She stated that they do not want
<br />their parking lot used as an overflow lot for patrons of this new establishment. Rev.
<br />Sickelka stated that they are very concerned that the South Bend Parks Department would
<br />allow the use of the parking lot at Howard Park Ice Rink to be the main parking for this
<br />project. Rev. Sickelka stated that there are four support groups who meet at the Church
<br />and this proposed bar/restaurant would be a problem for them. Rev. Sickelka stated that
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