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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Rescheduled Regular Meeting -March 10, 2006 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />B. South Bend Central Development Area <br />() continued... <br />commitment to additional investment on the <br />city's part, it will require a commitment as to <br />what further development in the immediate <br />area will entail. Like any developer, Eco- <br />Urbancannot commit to several million <br />dollars worth of development without some <br />understanding of what is likely to occur <br />around the site. For example, the possibility <br />of a fast-food establishment, drive-thru bank, <br />unsightly parking garage, or other <br />developments that would undermine the value <br />of its own would negatively impact Eco- <br />Urban'swillingness to go forward with the <br />project. So, too, would the building of any <br />above ground walkways. As has been the <br />case in Minneapolis, Charlotte, and <br />Cincinnati, such walkways tend to dampen <br />pedestrian traffic on the ground and hinder <br />the development ofstreet-level businesses. <br />Maintaining and fostering such traffic and <br />business is fundamental to Eco-Urban's <br />vision for the site and the city. This is why <br />Eco-Urban thinks it is so important that part <br />of any development on this site require some <br />sort of master planning so that the city and <br />developers can have the confidence necessary <br />to move forward with long-term investments. <br />Mr. Bergeman added that Eco-Urban expects <br />that the city would share that vision for Eco- <br />Urban to acquire the additional properties-not <br />necessarily that the city would acquire the <br />properties for them, but give them first right <br />of refusal so we could control our own <br />destiny. For example, there's a real estate <br />office and a cell tower that sits on the east <br />15 <br />