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/CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> change in ownership, or a five percent(5%),plus or minus, change in the overall budget. I thought
<br /> those factors would contextually help.
<br /> Councilmember Jake Teshka stated, So, this is now not going to be a Martin's, but Spartan Nash
<br /> hasn't declined, they just haven't jumped in. That wouldn't be a material change? As long as a
<br /> grocery store is there, whether it's a Trader Joe's, a plug for Trader Joe's, if you could get Trader
<br /> Joe's, I would like a Trader Joe's. So, I'm somewhat confused but I just want clarity. So, the
<br /> Council at this point, there is no official action for the Council to take. This is informational to
<br /> update us and gather input.
<br /> Ms. Emberton replied,Yes, and from the RDA's perspective,we did see the list that was provided
<br /> by the Administration. We shared that with our Council and they were comfortable with that.They
<br /> said if the City approves that, we as an RDA wouldn't ask for something more than that. They are
<br /> really deferring to the City of South Bend.
<br /> Councilmember Teshka followed up, So,if I could ask Mr. Buckenmeyer,what would satisfy DCI
<br /> in this regard? Is it a signed lease? For the City to release the $5 million in TIF, thus allowing
<br /> Regional Cities and the private investment,the$10 million of this project being held up right now,
<br /> what is the point at which we say we are satisfied?
<br /> Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, Without a clear definition and with the, I guess, socialized expectation
<br /> of a Martin's, DCI wanted to put some definition around the possibility of there not being a
<br /> Martin's, Trader Joe's or what have you. If this is constructed and put together, it still needs to
<br /> look and feel like a cohesive grocery store that meets the needs of the community. We as DCI
<br /> looked at it and wanted to find the definition beyond what was socialized at that time. Again,there
<br /> is no action to take here. Because this was socialized in concert with the abatement and the height
<br /> restriction discussions, it would be part of the RDC agreement, Exhibit B of the development
<br /> agreement formally, but again, because these things were all discussed in your Chambers as it
<br /> were, we wanted the Council to be well aware of where this is and where it could be going.
<br /> Councilmember Teshka followed up, Not to say you didn't answer my question, but I feel like the
<br /> question wasn't answered. At what point, where are we comfortable releasing the TIF dollars? Is
<br /> it a signed lease from a grocer?
<br /> Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, Sorry, I missed that. The absence, at this point in time in the project, of
<br /> a lease or an LOI, or anything definite, cause the concern and prompted us to build this definition.
<br /> So, if there is a lease from Martin's tomorrow, go. But in lieu of that, I think this is a good
<br /> compromise because it sets some parameters for whether it's a Martin's or a Matthews. We want
<br /> to make sure the community gets what it was promised.
<br /> Committeemember Copelin asked, Isn't part of the idea that this will be a long-term solution to
<br /> the downtown's needs for a grocery store? I'm just trying to wrap my head around this.
<br /> Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, We wanted to have a discussion to see what Martin's or a Trader Joe's
<br /> would bring to the table. If somebody else is coming to the table, we need to clearly define what
<br /> that would be, and we are asking those be included.
<br /> Committee Chair Ferlic stated, I encourage all to continue providing feedback to Dan if you have
<br /> feedback on this matter.
<br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov
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