02-28-13 Community Investment - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Community Investment February 28, 2013 4:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Gavin Ferlic, Henry Davis, Valerie Schey, Dr. Fred Ferlic Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Derek D. Dieter Other Present: Scott Ford, Don Inks Agenda: Organizational Meeting Committee Chair Gavin Ferlic opened the meeting by introducing Scott Ford Director of the Community Investment Department who was asked to highlight the departments priorities for the coming year. Scott said emphasis to revitalize the inner core of the city would continue. Scott said the continued effort to find an investor willing to commit to a public /private partners up to revitalize the Chase Tower looked promising. So too was the case for the LaSalle Building. On the East Bank area new Investment in both residential and commercial projects was rapidly morphing from dream to reality. Scott also spoke to a continuing focus on investing in high tech pointing to the Renaissance Center as well as Innovation and Ignition Park developments. Gavin then turned to the Council for input. Henry Davis spoke first. His remarks called for an improved abatement process particularly on compliance follow -up. Henry said a streamlined process would both improve accountability and prove to be more business friendly. Henry also questioned the administration's commitment to the LWW and Western Ave corridor revitalization efforts. Tim Scott suggested the possibility of a special meeting of both the Residential Neighborhoods and Community Investment committees to set goals and objectives for the corridor development. Valerie Schey said a "big picture" look at economic development was needed. All revenue sources, currently used along with possible new sources of revenue should be looked at along with an expenditure survey to determine how economic development resources were spent, to what end, and by whom. Derek Dieter picked up on the notion of needing better abatement compliance information along with a better, cleaner, clearer process. He used this opportunity as a forum to push his idea of moving City Hall to the closed College Football Hall of Fame. Regarding corridor development he said the administration needed to develop and commit to a plan.