03-12-01 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MARCH 12, 2001 Councilmember White made a motion to consider the substitute version of the bill. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand read the following amendment: Amend Section V as follows: Section V. This ordinance shall be passed by the Common Council and be of full, force and effect, upon a Resolution being filed for Council consideration by the Administration which addresses the progress of the proposed construction related to the redevelopment project. Such Resolution shall further set forth a date certain for the effective date of the vacation of real property addressed in this ordinance, all of which shall be subject to the approval of the Common Council and the Mayor. Councilmember Coleman made a motion to accept the amendment as read. Councilmember King seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Ms. Cheryl Greene, Attorney to the Redevelopment Commission, which is the Petitioner in this matter, made the presentation for this bill. Ms. Greene informed the Council that the street vacation relates to the Crowe Chizek expansion project and that the amendment is to allow for staging related to the vacation and the construction progress so that traffic will have the least amount of disruption and it can be worked through as the construction progresses. Mr. Gary Gilot, Director, Department of Public Works, 1300 County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, advised that the partnership between Crowe Chizek and the City requires some timely transition of traffic in order to go from the one way set of streets that now exist to the two- way arrangement on Wayne and Jefferson as well as various other traffic rearrangements that make this development work. The amendment calls for the Council to ratify the effective date by Resolution and seems to be a good remedy. However, they wanted to fully disclose that the Board of Public Works will need to close the streets to vehicular traffic, will need to remove some pavement, and will need to begin to effect some traffic pattern very early this summer. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Bruce Bancroft, Attorney at Law, Barnes & Thornburg, 60015E Source Bank Center, 100 North Michigan, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that he represents Crowe Chizek and Company and would like to speak in favor of this bill. He stated that Crowe Chizek has enjoyed marvelous participation with the City from the beginning of this project. This is a very important step in the development of the entire project and he encouraged the Council to adopt this bill. Mr. David Sassano, 1328 East Wayne South, South Bend, Indiana, advised the Council that he is an architect in private practice and is involved in the downtown partnership but is present to offer his own opinion on this matter. Mr. Sassano read a prepared statement regarding support for the closing of the street. He stated that he supports the closing of the streets as it will be the next step in removing the suburbs from the City and returning the City to its rightful place as the urban center of our community. He strongly supports the City's efforts to keep Crowe Chizek at the current location and provide for their expansion. He stated that it is the responsibility of all good city governments to attract and keep good business in the City. There was no one else present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill. Councilmember King made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember Kelly seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.