05-29-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 29, 2012 Whereas, boundary changes may be made to Economic Development Areas, and require an amendment to the Plan for the area by the Redevelopment Commission and must also be approved by the Area Plan Commission and the Common Council; and Whereas, in June of 1999, a “Lincoln Way West Commercial Corridor Revitalization Action Plan” was published with this 41-page document setting forth the following goal: “To establish Lincolnway West as an attractive entrance to Downtown South Bend that also provides neighborhood commercial nodes that satisfy the convenience, services, and employment needs of nearby residents and commuters” [as well as to satisfy the stated national goal of ‘smart growth’ by providing redevelopment sites that avoid the detrimental affects of sprawl”. (Lincoln Way West Commercial Corridor Revitalization Action Plan, p. 2) Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, believes that despite the efforts made under the 1999 Lincoln Way West Commercial Corridor Revitalization Action Plan, that the City of South Bend needs to re-dedicate its efforts to improving this main western entrance to Downtown South Bend, Indiana. Section II. The Council believes that there are far too many blighted areas along Lincoln Way West which provide a negative impact not only the residents and businesses along this main thoroughfare, but also to visitors to our city.. Section III. The Common Council further believes that improving Lincoln Way West should be a top priority moving forward. The Council believes that dialogue with the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, the staff of the Community & Economic Development Department provide an opportunity as to whether a significant portion should be included into the Airport Economic Development Area. Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. s/Henry Davis, Jr. Member of the Common Council s/Karen L. White Member of the Common Council Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., Chairperson, Community & Economic Development Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., 5117 Idlewood Drive, South Bend, Indiana and Councilmember Karen L. White, 1912 Malvern Way, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this Resolution. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., advised that he and Councilmember White have talked with the Council about the lack of development and lack of planning for Lincolnway West as it relates to what they see and what they offer to people who come into the community to retain business or attract business and for the people who live there as well. There has been a perception that that stretch of highway that runs through our city as being very unsafe, run down, drug infested along with prostitution. He stated that what they are asking is for potential investment from the City of South Bend to allow that area to grow in the way it used to. He stated that it’s a main corridor, they don’t want people to obviously not want to go down Lincolnway West, they don’t want people going on the by-pass going around the city and spend their money in Mishawaka area, the Granger area, they want them to stay right here. He stated that they want to present a very 28