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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> things from all different angles here and there are certainly more discussions to continue, but I do
<br /> think that,to be very clear,the dollars are at$4.8 million,which is lower. I don't want to undercut
<br /> what can be done, not only now with the current vision but with expansion in terms of future
<br /> visions and programming. So I guess I want to make sure we get this right and I want to make sure
<br /> there is due diligence to that actual number. So,why the revision?And why not the higher amount?
<br /> I don't know how much discussion has happened with regard to that because I didn't have an
<br /> opportunity to go to the Redevelopment Commission and also didn't have an opportunity to follow
<br /> up on the conversations had there. I do think you want to get this. I think we want to get this right
<br /> as a community because,to me,it has so much potential. Not just the building itself but what goes
<br /> on in it and what benefits would accrue. Not just to the programming that is specific there but, I
<br /> think Councilmember Scott what you touched on,something that is significant development within
<br /> that corridor of the City. It really does, in some ways, knit together a gap, if you would, between,
<br /> for me, you know Michigan Street, we essentially have a block and a half there that could use a
<br /> lot more infusion beyond that, and then you've got the Renaissance District to the south where I
<br /> think it is prime and ripe. So I mean I guess I want to make sure we are evaluating and in that
<br /> process we are giving due diligence to the amount that was asked of us. Having been in fundraising,
<br /> when we are talking about these large amounts and these building projects and seeking
<br /> partnerships,you always have to find common ground in things that are mutually beneficial. I want
<br /> to make sure that conversation happens and I guess, as I shared with our Redevelopment
<br /> representatives by way of a letter, I want to make sure that we are, first (1st) of all, cognizant that
<br /> the dollars have been revised down and that, if there is an opportunity within the agreement to
<br /> actually not lower that bond amount and have a reserve there,if there are programming discussions
<br /> that have to be fleshed out or solidified, I guess I don't want to leave those off the table and have
<br /> the lesser amount be reflected in that. And again, it is based on conversations and presentations,
<br /> you know, both with staff and the partners and kind of doing my usual jig and that is getting the
<br /> most information I can.This is big and I don't want to be off$2 million because$2 million,to me,
<br /> doesn't really matter over a fifty(50) year period.
<br /> Committeemember Davis interjected,And that goes back to my concern about the size of the room.
<br /> What was the speaker we had here? I mean, you know, I see more things like that coming. With
<br /> that coming, I'm concerned. Since we have this moment now, if it can be larger,how much larger
<br /> can it be within reason for us to be able to deal with that and what kind of changes would that be?
<br /> I know a lot of those changes, like we've just talked about,have happened at the largest libraries,
<br /> in L.A. and all those other kind of things but we have our own kind of things. What would be a
<br /> reasonable part to put in for us here in a mid-sized City? And at this present time, with that
<br /> knowledge of what Councilmember Broden just talked about, how can we not be on the skinny
<br /> side of it in a sense but still look at something meatier? Those are my thoughts. Do you see what
<br /> I'm saying with that? Because the difference between two hundred and sixty (260) and three
<br /> hundred (300), I've been in there when we've packed a lot of folks in there. It is now going to be
<br /> more and more community based,offset with that knowledge it is not going to tie to that 9:00 p.m.
<br /> timeframe, I see more people using it.Because where else can people go? I mean you have schools,
<br /> you have other things, you have Notre Dame, but right now, the City of South Bend, that is the
<br /> heart of the matter of where everyone is going to be. I don't want 1,000 and all that but I don't
<br /> think three hundred (300), personally, is big enough. I mean I could see five hundred (500) but I
<br /> don't know what the price of that is.
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