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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting -July 20, 2007 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />K. Other <br />() continued... <br />the development of for profit development <br />has been extremely limited, with only certain <br />franchises (Walgreen's Speedway, and 7-11) <br />accounting for significant amounts. Per the <br />Commercial Building Permit data, the <br />valuation of improvements associated with <br />building permits between 2000 and 2006 has <br />only exceeded $100,000 on one occasion, <br />while amongst all the commercial corridors <br />(Miami St., Lincolnway West, Western, <br />South Gateway, and Portage) only Portage <br />has totaled less. (This assessment discounts <br />the $37M investment made to Adams High <br />School during this same period.) <br />While the corridor has continually served as <br />a sufficient location for start-up businesses, <br />in the increasingly competitive regional <br />market, the real and perceived obsolescence <br />of the building structures, sites, and <br />amenities has frequently led the corridor <br />losing out to longer term businesses. <br />Although the corridor has benefited from the <br />preservation of several connected <br />commercial oriented buildings and structures, <br />these structures do have limitations that have <br />prevented the corridor from competing in the <br />local and regional marketplace. With a large <br />number of the commercial structures built <br />during the earlier part of the 20th Century, the <br />need to accommodate automobiles was not <br />yet a significant priority. This is specifically <br />characterized by limited, rear oriented <br />parking. The age of these buildings also <br />reflects their lack of modern amenities <br />(Internet capability, security, HVAC). This <br />58 <br />