09-26-77 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 26 1977 REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED (CONTINUED) The lack of facts, figures, and plans regarding the proposed Century Mall concerns me, Janet Allen said it so aptly in her letter to the Voice of the People on September 24, 1977. Having attended a meeting called by the city council in order to further discuss the proposed Century Ma11, I find the council is seeking information which seems not to be available. I find it verl difficult to believe that eight or ten astute businessmen with money to invest would commit themselves to the financing of a proposal which, according to their attorney, has no plans, no drawings, no idea as to when, what, or how the proposed Century Mall would be accomplished: After these enlightened remarks the developers left the meeting as per their agreement with the council that they not be asked any questions by the general public. What kind of discussion would you call that? Summarily, I insist that: Sound buildings be retained. The affected businesses be allowed to continue. Our downtown be saved! I ask that this Common Council vote NO on the three resolutions regarding the proposed Century Mall. I ask that this statement be made a part of the official record.' Mrs. Patricia Hughes, 1714 LaSalle St., manager of Lane Bryant, read the following statement: "Patricia Hughes, 1714 East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, Indiana. Manager.of the Lane Bryant Store 131 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana speaking as a concerned citizen and not for Lane Bryant. There are many question: that have been left unanswered concerning the construction of the proposed Century Mall which makes one wonder whether they go unanswered because the answer is not known or whether to answer them would in effect be a detriment to the development of Century Mall. This speaker is a member of the South Bend Revitalization Committee promoting the revitalization of our Downtown, and seeking alternatives apart-, from the demolition of sound buildings and the des- truction of businesses that have weathered all of the setbacks of downtown and are at present time doing good and substantial business. Our Mayor Peter J. Nemeth has aksed why no one has presented an alternative before this time. Is this not a duty of City Officials to provide leadership and surround themselves with people of expertise including not only developers and financiers but also merchants who have the expertise in merchandising and marketing. Mr. Al Candler has stated that South Bend and the Midwest are for the most part made up of people in one particular occupation. It is in deed a fact that in this area we have a wealth of knowledge and experience that the City Officials could draw upon, architects, engineers, market- ing and merchandising people to name a few. At the August 19th, 1977, meeting of the Redevelop- ment Commission, this speaker asked whether or not there had been communication with the Utility Companies concerning the proposed Century Mall. Under Michigan Street in the 100 and 200 block: South are a network of utilities, telephone, electric and gas. The answer to this question was yes, of course, and Michgian Street in the 100 block South will become the main floor of the Mall. There happens to be a five ton transformer which is an integral part of the electric utility system buried under the sidewalk in the 100 block south in front of the Lane Bryant Store. In order to move this transformer or any other it would require a huge crane to remove the concrete slab covering- the transformer. What do you think that would do to the floor of the enclosed mall, if by chance a crane could be brought through the entry wall. The questic was also asked if it were not true that these transformers contain flamable liquid. The answer was no. An expert in this field has advised the South Bend Rebitalization Committee that they do indeed contain a flamable liquid (a petroleum base mineral oil) and only other liquid used for this purpose is an askereal liquid containing PCB which has been outlawed.by the environmeni protection agency. At the same meeting this qDeaker asked whether a feasibility study had been done concerning the energy consumption for Century Mall. Will the mall not require a greater amount of energy considering the heating in winter and the cooling in summer? Energy consump- tion and conservation should be.foremost in the minds of responsible public officials. The ansi to this question was "We had not thought of that" I ask that this statement be made a part of 1 official record." Council Member Taylor made a motion to continue public hearing on these thre( resolutions until September 29, at 4:00 p.m., seconded by Council Member Horvath. The motion carried. BILLS, FIRST READING BILL NO. 142 -77 This bill had first hearing and second carried. BILL NO. 143 -77 This bill had first hearing and second carried. A BILL TRANSFERRING $500.00 FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER WITHIN THE DISCOVERY HALL BUDGET IN THE GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. reading. Council Member Serge made a motion to set this bill for public reading October 10, 1977, seconded by Council Member Adams. The motion A BILL TRANSFERRING $41,000.00 IN THE GENERAL PARK FUND. TRANSFERS ARE BEING MADE IN VARIOUS BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS WITHIN THE GENERAL PARK FUND. reading. Council Member Adams made a motion to set this bill for public reading October 10, 1977, seconded by Council Member Serge. The motion BILL NO. 144 -77 A BILL ORDERING AND PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH _COUNTY, INDIANA, WHICH SAID REAL ESTATE IS OWNED BY SAID CITY FOR USE OF ITS PARK DEPARTMENT. This bill had first reading. Council Member Adams made a motion to set this bill for public hearing and second reading October 10, 1977, seconded by Council Member Serge. The motion carried. BILL NO. 145 -77 A BILL DESIGNATING AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC LANDMARK UNDER ORDINANCE NO. 5565 -73, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 4990 -68, AS AMENDED, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND. This bill had first reading. Council Member Adams made a motion to refer this bill to Area Plan, seconded by Council Member Horvath. The motion carried. 1