05-11-98 Council Meeting minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 11, 1998 the next two bills, seconded by Council Member Hosinski. The motion carried. BILL NO. 43 -98 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST NORTH /SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF MAIN STREET FROM THE SOUTH RIGHT -OF -WAY OF WEST NAVARRE STREET TO THE NORTH RIGHT -OF -WAY OF THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF WEST NAVARRE STREET FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 198 FEET AND A WIDTH OF 14 FEET. PART LOCATED IN SOUTH BEND (ORIGINAL TOWN), ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA BILL NO. 44 -98 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: WEST NAVARRE STREET FROM THE WEST RIGHT -OF -WAY OF NORTH MICHIGAN STREET TO THE EAST RIGHT -OF -WAY OF NORTH MAIN STREET FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 344 FEET AND A WIDTH OF 82.5 FEET. PART LOCATED IN SOUTH BEND (ORIGINAL TOWN), CITY OF SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bills, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Council Member Varner reported that the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee had met on these bills and recommended them to the Council favorable. Bruce Bancroft, attorney representing Memorial Hospital, made the presentation for the bills. He reported they were requesting these vacations because the hospital would like to build a large structure which would be partially located on Navarre and would span the north /south alley. He reported this would be a four story parking garage topped with three stories of office space. Bob -- Snyder, from BSA Design in Indianapolis, distributed drawings he had prepared of the proposed structure. He explained that Memorial owns all of the property on both sides of the alley and also owns all of the property on both sides of Navarre. He also explained the configuration of the parking garage and the office building. Mary McClain, general manager of TRANSPO, spoke in favor of this resolution. She indicated this was the first time someone had contacted them regarding a construction project, and they were given ample opportunity to have input into the plan. Bob King, vice president of South Bend Medical Foundation, spoke in favor of the vacation indicating they were comfortable with the hospital's plans. Juanette Hill, 225 W. Hammond Pl., questioned how the proposed building would effect the aesthetic value of her property in the River Bend Historic District, as well as compliment the neighborhood. A resident of 706 N. St. Joseph, indicated that the commercial business were informed of the proposed change to the neighborhood, however, people who live in the River Bend Historic District were not contacted. Sara Heitzelman, 706 N. St. Joseph, spoke regarding an increase of people coming into the neighborhood, and with the closing of Navarre more parking area will be lost and they will move into our area to park. Gary Fisk, Cole & Associates, advised that the this will actually reduce traffic into the historic district. All other concerns were addressed. Council Member Kelly made a motion to recommend Bill No. 43 -98 to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Hosinski. The motion carried. Council Member Kelly made a motion to recommend Bill No. 44 -98 to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion carried. BILL NO. 42 -98 A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING $300,000 FROM THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND GENERAL FUND TO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME OPERATING FUND This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Council Member Broden reported that the Personnel and