08-26-19 Zoning and Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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®CITY OFSOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK Jessica Pizer of 824 W. Colfax, South Bend, IN stated, I have several concerns about this site selection, and I have several questions for the Council. I am on the leadership of the Near Westside Neighborhood organization. The neighborhood was never intended to have a voice or be a partner in the site selection. As the treasurer, our leadership was informed on June 18, 2019. At that time the proposal was already on the Area Planning Committee agenda for July 16, 2019 and it was already on the Council agenda for July 22nd, 2019. So, this was already being pushed through without any input from the neighborhood. It's concerning. Why is that and can we really trust that we will be a partner after this? To that end, neighbors have been asking for the supposed scoring matrix since the end of June. We got it last night at 7:30 p.m., so I'd like to know if the Council has seen the scoring matrix? I bring this up because some of the information on that matrix is incorrect. For instance, the West Washington location was given an environmental score of clear, while the downtown Salvation Army building was given a Caution score. The Salvation Army building in reference to proximity of downtown South Bend was ranked at not applicable,but most people would argue that it is in fact in downtown South Bend. If this is the information that is informing the best site location, then this matrix needs to be reviewed for inaccuracies. That leads me to ask the Council, has proper due diligence been done for this site location? We've been told that this is the best location because it's fiscally responsible because the land is free from the City. 3.5 million dollars to build this building. Is the Council aware that there are and have been cheaper alternatives?For instance,Saint James Apartments on the corner of Colfax and Eddy recently went under contract. It's a twenty(20)to twenty-two (22)unit building. The acquisition and renovation cost will be less than half(1/2) of 3.5 million. The Salvation Army building which the City just bought has a two (2) story dormitory that would be free, and I have to imagine that the renovation cost is less than 3.5 million. Mr. Mariani admitted last week that he never wanted to be in the business of building supportive housing, and his staff admitted to me that they saw no benefit to the neighbors or neighborhood. So, I ask if they can't support it why should neighbors? Mr. Alan Larkin of 1016 W. Washington Street, South Bend, IN stated, I'm here to urge that the zoning change for the so-called permanent supportive housing or PSH project proposed for our street not be approved. We need to stop this project for a variety of reasons, but I am here to talk about only one(1) of these. The project as proposed will not work. This is the second such project that will be developed in the City. The first one (1), although it has been in existence for two (2) years does not work. Only the bricks and mortar portion for this project was secured. Adequate funding for operation was not available. Let's not repeat this mistake. Because of this, the apartments are unsafe for their occupants. ABC News,Channel 57 has noted almost three hundred (300) police calls from the project over it's first two (2) years. A heroin ring has been uncovered as well as rampant drug deals and some physical attacks. Some people from the Rum Village neighborhood near the Oliver Apartments have reported an increase in drug trafficking and prostitution in the area. It is important to review reports like this skeptically. We shouldn't expect this difficult population to just settle down and lead more stable lives in a short period of time. As citizens we have the right to expect due diligence from our government. The charges are serious and should be investigated. Let's not eagerly replicate something that is a proven problem. For my own part I have done a couple of things. I spent a very sad weekend reading about homelessness in America and permanent supportive housing. I learned that we have a serious homeless problem Nationwide, we must do something about it, and PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) is a promising idea. I then contacted a friend of mine who is a local homeless advocate to tell me about her take on the Oliver and now the new proposal. What she wrote shocked me. I will conclude my remarks by sharing an excerpt with this committee. Her words,permanent supportive housing PSH EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 9