10-22-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2012 parents and grandparents. Then it started…bulldozers and wrecking balls. From my house on the west side I saw the cityscape fall right before my eyes. Out skyscrapers were leveled. Monuments were buried in the landfill. I was told that old buildings had to make way for new opportunities. People believed that whenever our city could spend that much money, a grand vision would be fulfilled. All I knew was that there was less need to shop downtown, to eat downtown, to go downtown. I’m sure that the public officials that served this community back then, believed that momentum would bring progress. Economy could proceed on a blank state. But that never happened. It’s 2012, what have we done? Why are we still doing it? We’re still knocking down buildings that could be repurposed for less than new. We’re still racing to build Mishawaka’s biggest parking lot – in my downtown. I most definitely respect the issues that today’s Council must confront. It can’t be easy. I respect all of you that serve this community in so many ways. I wish you had many of our lost resources for bargaining. But we have a great deal to be thankful for. And a community that is willing to support your efforts with loyalty and creative solutions. City Plan was drafted with that enthusiasm. In it our community expressed its model for prosperity. From “Urban Design” on page 102, “Preserving buildings, structures and neighborhoods enhances the unique character of a place and maintains the historic built environment. Preservation also helps maintain identity and educates people about a community’s history. I’m not here to pick fights with our local library officials. The library as an institution is a much needed, underutilized resource. I visit the library regularly. I promote our library. But the library and I have a strong disagreement over the preservation of community assets like the Avon. I was disappointed when the library board failed to utilize the some or all of the building in its new design (like the South Bend Civic Theater originally intended.) I favor true win-win solutions for the community. There is no reason that this community can’t have an Avon venue among its repertoire of cultural attractions – something that folks on both sides of this issue can enjoy and be proud of. Local designation will begin a dialogue that only promises to bring about solutions that this community and the next generation may enjoy. There are so many reasons why designating the Avon makes sense. I’m hoping that one – just one – earns your vote today. I ask that you grant Local Historic Designation. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mic Perry 901 E. Fox, South Bend, Indiana, South Bend, Indiana, quoted the song Parking Lot “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot” He urged the Council to vote in favor of granting Local Historic Designation. Samir Younes, 1122 Foster, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is an Associate Professor at the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. Karen Haun, 50727 Sean Ct., South Bend, Indiana, advised that her hometown is Asheville North Carolina and they too had debated whether or not to designate historic buildings. She stated that they have managed to keep the southern charm along with the historic landscape. She urged the Council to vote in favor of this bill. Sam Lima, 528 River Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. He urged the Council’s favorable recommendation. Catherine Hostetler, Director, Historic Preservation Commission, spoke in favor and stated that any theater should be saved. She urged the Council to grant the designation. Elicia Feasel, Assistant Director, Historic Preservation Commission, 125 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. She presented the Staff Report. A copy is on file in the office of the City Clerk. Michael Voll, 1721 W. Northshore, South Bend, Indiana, urged preservation for the next generation. He urged the Council to vote favorably on this bill. Jerry Niezgodski, 2930 Bonds Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he believes that there have been scare tactics used on the falling façade. He urged the Council to vote in favor of the designation. 11