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South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Me ting - October 19, 1979 7. PROGRE S REPORTS (continued) The Chair directed that the documents be received and then turned them over to Carl Ellison, Director, Department of Redevelopment. The Chair recognized Mr. T. Brooks Brademas: Mr. Brademas: I would like to say just a few words relative to the Odd Fellows Building. Regardless of what Mr. Ellison has said, I feel we have to be realis- tic even though I know every member of the Commission is an independent thinker and is going to do what they feel is best for the community. I think when the Mayor makes his views known, obviously people who have been appointed by the Mayor, or have any type of respect or him are certainly going to consider that. On the other hand, I would hope that the Commission would remember the American Cities Corporation's report. I believe that the Commission shared my views of the American Cities Corporation that it is one of the out- standing firms of this type in the country. They said that the Odd Fellows Building could serve the community well anJ provide some excellent competitive office space ii that particular spectrum. The alternative, as I under tand the design plans, is to just leave the space vacant. So, I want to appear before the Commis- sion again today to not only plead for our proposal, although I feel that our proposal is the best of those that have been presented, but to say to you that from someone who has dealt most of his life in this type of work, that I have absolutely no doubt that our proposal or some of the other proposals for the renno- vation f the Odd Fellows Building, are clearly feasible. I would invite you to visit Mishawaka and see a building obviously not nearly as large, but build almost the same year co sisting of almost the same type of construction (the olJ Woolworth's building), which we have very recently rennova ed. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the Odd Fellows Building is fully capable of being reha- bilitat d and will do just as the American Cities Corpora- tion re ort suggests, provide service to the community. I urge ou, even though you will consider what the Mayor has sai , to consider well before you make a final decision. Mr. Rob #nson: Thank you Mr. Brademas. -10- COMMENTS MADE BY T. BROOKS BRADEMAS