07-18-18 Residential Neighborhoods

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®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK agreed to do so. She continued, I am not surprised hearing these things. This has been years coming. We now have an opportunity to deal with the issues that always come up. We need a conversation about these barriers. So what are the strategies?What are the expectations?What has or is being done about these priorities? We plan to come back with the individuals that can really give the important and correct information. What individuals should be at the table that are not here? Things are going to happen quickly. You want to be a part of this all as well. I want to go back to item number five (5) for home improvement and investment. Mr. Davis Jr. stated, The abatement program for home investment is just an idea of thought. We have a tax abatement process and we have homeowners that have been here for a while that are being pushed out. How do we get people here to stay? How do we incentivize a person to reinvest into their home? The idea is to allow a person who may be investing in their home to receive a tax abatement. They are given for real property,machines or even TIF money. We want to be creative with that. I think it makes sense for existing homeowners. How do we incentivize people reinvesting in their home and get City government to soften that investment? Ms. Aldridge replied, I think that is a good idea but I know a lot of it is for new builds. I don't know what the legislation dictates on that and what is able to be abated. We can still explore that. Councilmember Scott stated,The City is basically considered an economically distressed area. We have had them come before Council for new homes. We had them for additions over a certain dollar amount. I don't know if it truly makes sense because if you make an addition that is only one percent (I%) or three percent(3%), is it truly that much money? Could there be a better bang for the buck on that? I know where that is going,though, and that is a good idea. That could create more opportunities just thinking about it. Committee Chair White announced,I apologize,I failed to recognize the presence of our Attorney, Mr. Bob Palmer. He is here to help us with those matters regarding legal research and best practices. If there are any more ideas,please let us know. Ms. Aldridge stated, Also, we just won a grant for our Love Your Block program and that is for $30,000, so we will be scaling up some home repair efforts in the neighborhoods. Mr. Davis Jr. interjected, Well and see, that is what worries us over here. So you're talking about $25,000 so when the City matches it it'll be$50,000,right? So,how far will that carry through the community? Who is awarded? What impact will it serve? We aren't against that, great idea and great job, but when we see the newspaper and $400,000 is going to a new liquor store and restaurant, we have a problem with that. When a condo is being built on the river and over $5 million is given in TIF, we have a problem with that. Those people are coming in on our dime. If they are coming in on our dime, why can't we use our own dime to reinvest to where we are at? Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, The Eddy Street Commons area was given a residential TIF designation.There are still seventy-five(75)acres that can be designated.Don Inks from the Redevelopment Commission was telling me about it so we might want to talk to him about that. Mr. Jones asked, The City got some national recognition for revitalizing neighborhoods. Where were they revitalized because it certainly isn't out here. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson BVIdI South Bend,Indiana 466011p574.235.9221 f574.235.9173 TTD574.235.55671www.southbendin.gov 9