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REGULAR MEETING April 8, 2019
<br /> developers and partners have in the continued growth and investment in South Bend. We expect it
<br /> will bring a wonderful number of indirect jobs, whether it becomes utilized for light
<br /> manufacturing, warehousing, or some mix within that 225,000 square feet. Paul Phair is here from
<br /> Holladay Properties who is the developer. Holladay construction is also the builder.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked,You guys were the early adopters out in this area. So, I think
<br /> that should be noted. You were first(1St) in on the scene, and a lot has followed after you. I want
<br /> to recognize your initial and early efforts on that. As well, I would say the Chamber of Commerce
<br /> and some of our partners with regional planning has really identified needs here. So, between
<br /> private and public,inclusive of our Community Investment staff,our leadership in Administration,
<br /> a lot of this has really come together. I want to acknowledge your company and predecessors.
<br /> Paul Phair, 227 South Main Street, South Bend, IN, replied, Thank you very much and you're
<br /> absolutely right. Even before I joined the company and I've been with Holladay for thirteen (13)
<br /> years now, we really were early in getting into this northwest area and saw the potential the toll
<br /> road and the US-31 intersection really had for industry in our town. Over the years, we've
<br /> developed many buildings out in this area. We still own about 750,000 square feet in addition to
<br /> the one (1) we are talking about, but I'll bet we've probably developed another 1.5, maybe 2
<br /> million square feet that has since sold over the last two (2) decades. It has been a great area and
<br /> personally, for me,up in the Portage Prairie area,that was my sole focus from day one(1). So, I'm
<br /> thrilled to see it grow into what it has become. We're excited to get this project going and thank
<br /> you all for the opportunity. This abatement will be huge in offsetting our risk for such a major
<br /> investment.
<br /> Councilmember Jake Teshka stated, Holladay has a proven track record in our community for
<br /> meeting their obligations. Thank you, Paul, and to your father as well, for all that Holladay has
<br /> done for us here in the community.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston interjected, I really liked the question that
<br /> Councilmember Davis asked in Committee. Do you remember that, Councilmember Davis?
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, What I asked was in terms of the issue of putting us, as we
<br /> look at our sister cities of Mishawaka and Elkhart, how does this put us in terms of positioning as
<br /> we look at those kinds of cities in terms of positioning us with marketing and attracting those kinds
<br /> of businesses.
<br /> Mr. Phair replied, Dan mentioned, having two (2) spec buildings is a really good indication of the
<br /> confidence that people have in the community. If we were in Chicagoland or a larger market, spec
<br /> building is more standard. It is a traditional way for large industrial developers to do that. But, in
<br /> communities our size, it is not a very typical thing to see in great number. So, we definitely will
<br /> have the advantage of having space available over some of the cities in close proximity that don't
<br /> have that same advantage.
<br /> Councilmember Tim Scott stated, When Great Lakes built the 200,000 square foot building in the
<br /> Portage Prairie area,there were only thirteen(13)distribution buildings that size in the entire State.
<br /> The demand is there, I can tell you that.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston interjected, And one (1) of the things you said
<br /> specifically is it can cut the timeframe for businesses looking to set up right away. So, that is one
<br /> (1) of the advantages we will have with the spec buildings.
<br /> Mr. Phair replied, No doubt. Most companies don't want to take the time to plan a new building.
<br /> So, having something ready to go for them can take their timeframe from fifteen (15) months to
<br /> four(4) months. That is a huge advantage for them to be able to move with the speed of business,
<br /> react more quickly to market forces, all that kind of stuff.
<br /> Councilmember Karen White stated,This is just another example of the Council working with not
<br /> only the developer and Administration, but also with the citizens. I was on the Council at the time
<br /> when the vision of having Portage Prairie came to our community. Not only did we have extensive
<br /> meetings, but we met on Saturday's. We dealt with the resident's concerns. We listened. We did
<br /> our best to make sure their concerns were heard, and we made sure that, as we moved forward, we
<br /> did our best to ensure that the developer had the support they needed and that our residents, as
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