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11-30-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes
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11-30-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes
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SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 30, 2010 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />won’t have to worry about his players nor will we have to worry about the Arizona <br />Diamondbacks coming in and saying that they aren’t going to sign up with us anymore. <br />It’s going to bring the field up to the level that it should be. Some of the other amenities <br />are going to reach what Councilmember Rouse was concerned with and how are we <br />going to sustain the Cove in ten to fifteen years when the PSDF money runs out. He <br />stated that what they are going to do is raise income at the stadium that is going to allow <br />it to continue. The only way to do that is go get more fans. That is how we are going to <br />get to that decision and make that decision so that they are not always going to rely on <br />public dollars for these kinds of improvements. He stated that we may not get to 380,000 <br />fans but we can get to 280,000 fans and if we can do that this Council is never going to <br />have to worry about Coveleski Stadium. Because those kinds of revenues are going to <br />draw businesses, they will be more sponsorships, there is going to be more income that <br />will help maintain not only on a regular basis but also for capital improvements for the <br />stadium. That is what is being asked here tonight. This particular bill is different from <br />the other bill that was talked about earlier. He stated that what he sees is that three or <br />four councilmember’s are in favor of this project and will probably vote for this bill. <br />They are a few councilmember’s that have said that they see the need for this bill and will <br />probably vote for this bill and there are a couple that are not in favor and probably won’t <br />vote for this bill. This bill is being paid for out of PSDF and not taxpayer dollars. Mr. <br />Nussbaum reiterated what Councilmember LaFoutain mentioned earlier that we need to <br />set priorities and he hopes over the next couple of months or year they will do just that <br />and maybe consider the other bill. Mr. Nussbaum stated that in considering this bill this <br />evening most are convinced that it is the right thing to do economically and the right <br />thing to do fiscally and urged the Council’s favorable consideration. <br /> <br />Lyn Kaczmarek, 501 W. South Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that the Council will <br />only be voting on this bill that approves the issuance of bonds that will be repaid with <br />funds from the Professional Sports Development Fund (PSDF). She noted that currently <br />they are collecting approximately $600,000 from the PSDF that otherwise would go to <br />the State of Indiana. She advised that $400,000 of that $600,000 will go towards paying <br />off the bond. She stated that since the PSDF was established 4 million dollars has been <br />captured only because of the South Bend Silverhawks being in South Bend. She noted <br />that some of this money has been used to renovate other city owned facilities and none <br />has been used to renovate the Cove. She stated that she has heard others say that this <br />project is above and beyond what they need at the Cove. She noted that some say they <br />should do a little now and a little later because there is no rush and like there has been a <br />rush to make this decision. She stated that she has heard numerous times to do the <br />minimum to keep the team here. Scale back the project, they don’t need to do the whole <br />project. She noted that discussions have been ongoing since 2007 to update and renovate <br />the cove. She reiterated that there has been no rush to get this project done. Instead it is <br />a well thought out project and a scaled back project due to the economy and not wanting <br />to spend any dollars without a justified plan in place. She stated that she wanted to be <br />clear that by doing just the minimum doesn’t mean that the team will stay. She stated <br />that they need to do everything that they can to make this a successful business so that the <br />team is not sold. She gave some examples of how this project was scaled back so that the <br />next generations of families will be able to experience affordable family entertainment. <br />The new entry area, over and over again it has been stated that the Cove is not safe, no <br />one knows where it is located or even that South Bend has a baseball stadium. Why <br />because the entrance is hidden and back by the old train station and that comes with a <br />perception. By opening up the outfield entrance there is now a direct connection to <br />downtown South Bend. This is one of the most relevant aspects of why the City should <br />reinvest in the Cove. The connection between Downtown South Bend and the Cove is <br />worth every penny of the 10 million dollar plan but it is also one of the most critical parts <br />of the overall plan. There will now be an open pathway to downtown South Bend that <br />has never been there before. If you open up the outfield as the entrance you are already <br />putting down the concrete, so putting in the fire pit, the splash pad, and the elevated stage <br />area are the least expensive costs to this project. But they give the most in terms of <br />potential use of this facility for many non-baseball events and entertainment options <br />during games. These features alone are critical in terms of the next twenty years for this <br />community, the next generation of fans and the ability of the Cove to become a multi- <br />function park. This new area gives them hope for the future. One issue with the present <br /> 16 <br /> <br />
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