2005 Annual Report - Community & Economic Development

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Community and Economic Development Committee Annual Report, 2005 The C&ED Committee had a busy year which included tax abatement resolutions at all but two Council meetings. A list of the abatements is included with this report. Members of the Committee are Roland Kelly,vice chair,Al Kirsits,Ery Kuspa,and Martha Lewis,citizen member. Tedd Schaffer from Economic Development is in charge of applications for his department and works with us on tax abatement resolutions. The Council is pleased to fmally have a brochure explaining our tax abatement procedures. Our Council Attorney,Kathleen Cekanski Farrand put it together early in 2005 to help the public fmally better understand this complicated process. A copy of the brochure will be attached to this report. The Committee has met with those companies that are substantially out of compliance with the criteria in their applications. The problem for companies often cited was a decrease in business, hopefully temporary. We are looking forward to the completion of the decision-making process on several projects in the downtown area and the groundbreaking for several more. 1. Mark Tamer,of the South Bend Chocolate Café,hopes to purchase the previous Osco site on Michigan St. He would use the building to enhance his businesses downtown and on Sample. 2. The LaSalle Hotel site has received at least one bid to renovate the property as a hotel. The bid was not accepted,but we are looking for other bids. 3. Holliday Properties,led by John Phair is interested in developing the Wharf Restaurant property on Colfax,which they own,and combine it with the Rink Riverside property. 4. Although we have no office tenant for the parking garage site at Jefferson and St. Joseph,talks are still going on to finalize plans. City Plan has reached a plateau in their continued process to develop a comprehensive plan for South Bend. The Council is looking at draft 1 of the working document. They are keeping us updated on progress. Respectfully Submitted, Ann''/Vazzelt6 chair, Community and Economic Development Filed in Clerk's Office _ C 2005 JOI-1N VOORDE CITY CL TK,CO.BEND,IN.