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®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> provides them with a forecast and an idea of what will be available while giving them skills, how <br /> do we do that? So that's where the conversation needs to be started. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, Would it be very helpful if we look at the first (1St) priority, and <br /> that was in terms of the Charles Black Center, and we go directly into the programming as they <br /> are connected? As what I heard individuals stating was more information on what's happening in <br /> terms of the Center,more in regards to the grand opening,programing and what the center is going <br /> to look like and really having a status update. But most importantly to at least have the opportunity <br /> to give input to communicate your concerns and your needs but also where you see the Center in <br /> terms of future programing. So if it met the approval of the group, I know that we have <br /> representatives from the Center, but also Aaron, if you could maybe just give an update on the <br /> Charles Black Center in regards to what you've done in terms of programing,what you plan to do, <br /> who you plan to meet with, and also the projected opening of the Center and ways in which you <br /> will communicate. So I don't know if that's going to be Aaron or with you Ms. Taylor. <br /> Aaron Perri,Executive Director,Venues, Parks and Arts stated, I'll start off with talking about the <br /> infrastructure of the project going on a few blocks away from here. If you recall back in 2015 the <br /> plan was to do about a $3,000,000 renovation of the Charles Black Center. As plans progressed <br /> and as we heard feedback from users of the Center, from this neighborhood association and <br /> otherwise,the project grew about$4.5 million. What we found out was it didn't make sense to cut <br /> the project back to its original budget, we better figure out how to get more money, so we don't <br /> cut any corners. So that's what we did, we turned it into a$4.5 million dollar project. That's been <br /> well underway for just about a year now. The project is scheduled to be completed about mid <br /> October. We don't have an exact date yet, like all construction projects, we ran into a few delays. <br /> We were hoping for mid September, but it's looking like mid October at this current time. We're <br /> not too far behind. We have been able to give a couple of sneak peak tours to some folks in the <br /> community already. If you're interested in doing one (1) of those, myself, Johnathon or Cynthia <br /> will be glad to help arrange that. I know Councilmember White went on one (1) of those recently <br /> and I hope she was impressed with what she saw in terms of the progress. The center doubled in <br /> size. We'll have three (3) basketball courts in there, a music studio, a bike shop, and a computer <br /> lab that's a partnership with the South Bend Public Libraries.We just opened one(1) at the Martin <br /> Luther King Center and had a ribbon cutting on it. More storage space, standard kitchen, <br /> classrooms and the list goes on and on. It's scheduled to be opened here in about six (6) to eight <br /> (8)weeks. So that will be a big celebration. I know that there is a big sub-committee and some of <br /> you are on it to help plan the big grand opening celebration and meanwhile I am going to let <br /> Cynthia talk about the grand opening. <br /> Committee Chair White followed up, And I know that was one (1) concern that as we begin to <br /> look at the planning process and even the grand opening making sure that the neighborhood <br /> association and the Alliance are both at the table and have a broader level of participation. <br /> Mr. Perri followed up, We can make that happen. I know there's already been one (1) or two (2) <br /> meetings on the front ends of that. The fiscal footprint and timeline there, we are little bit over <br /> budget so we are sharpening our pencil and finding every dollar we can throw into that thing <br /> because we know we don't want to cut corners and we want to do things right. I know it's an <br /> important project to a lot of people. So it's going to be all brand new landscaping on the exterior <br /> lot and I know come October and getting your input, it will be a great celebration. But I hear a lot <br /> about the programing side of things and I want to be clear and really proud actually, I'm very <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building j 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 l p 574.235.9221 l f574.235.9173 ITTD574.235.5567 1 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 4 <br />