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REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2012 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />RESOLUTION NO. 4194-12 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL <br /> OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, <br />REQUESTING THAT DOWNTOWN SOUTH <br />BEND BE RE-AFFIRMED AS A TOP PRIORITY <br />FOR CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE <br />REVITALIZATION; THAT ALL POSSIBLE <br />GRANT OPPORTUNITIES BE PURSUED; AND <br />THAT CHASE TOWER BE ADDRESSED <br /> <br />Whereas, on December 7, 2010, Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor announced that <br />“Downtown South Bend, Inc.” had joined the Indiana Main Street Program which <br />“encourages the revitalization and restoration of downtown areas in Indiana cities and <br />towns” with this program being administered by the Indiana Office of Community and <br />Rural Affairs (OCRA); and <br /> <br />Whereas, Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor noted that day that “viable downtowns <br />are crucial to the economic health of our state” and that the program is aimed to <br />“encourage a favorable environment for businesses” focusing on a “Four Point <br />Approach” stressing “creating new streetscapes, facilitating housing initiatives, <br />developing commercial and mix-use projects, and strategic planning for the downtown <br />community” ; and <br />Whereas, the Indiana Main Street Program is offering Downtown Enhancement <br />Grants to support and promote community-based planning, marketing, and restoration <br />efforts in Indiana Main Street communities. These efforts are aimed to “improve the <br />quality of life for residents and provide opportunities for increasing private investment <br />and employment”. Projects which may qualify for funding include “promotional <br />campaigns, program branding, façade renovations or rehabilitations, and other <br />initiatives”, with such grant applications becoming available on July 9, 2012, and will be <br />due to OCRA on August 31, 2012, and the Common Council believes that such grant <br />opportunities should be pursued; and <br />Whereas, in light of the May 30, 2012 announcement by representatives of the <br />Summit Club that “South Bend’s highest restaurant” located in the heart of downtown <br />South Bend is closing its doors after more than forty (40) years of providing culinary <br />delights from such a spectacular location; and with the continuing challenges being faced <br />by the downtown Chase Tower which are reported to need “at least $6 million on <br />immediate, necessary fixes on a new roof, new energy efficient windows, new elevators, <br />an improved HVAC system and other structural repairs”; every possible opportunity <br />should be pursued in order to assist in stepped-up, positive actions for the sustainability <br />of our downtown. <br />Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, <br />Indiana, as follows: <br /> <br />Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, believes that <br />all possible grant opportunities should be pursued for the betterment of Downtown South <br />Bend, and that in particular an application for a Downtown Enhancement Grant offered <br />through the Indiana Main Street Program should be timely pursued and filed. <br /> <br />Section II. The Common Council further believes that greater transparency, <br />accountability and collaboration of all public and private agencies working for the <br />betterment of downtown South Bend needs to be a top priority, including the City <br />Administration’s latest efforts on Chase Tower. <br /> <br />Section III. The Common Council offers its services to coordinate a series of <br />public meetings through its Community and Economic Committee to help facilitate <br />meaningful and positive dialogue aimed at pursuing timely results which are in the best <br />interests of South Bend. <br /> <br /> 11 <br /> <br />