06-28-72 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 28, 1972 RESOLUTION NO. 313 -72 (CONTINUED) displays of hobbies, collections, and fashion shows. An area -wide summer festival might develop from events centered in this complex. All members of our society will have new opportunities to become involved in creative activities. By including the Recreational Department in this facility, some opportunity for combination financing as is provided in the present "Agreement of Cooperative Operation of a Public Educa- tion and Recreational Program in the City of South Bend and in the South Bend Community School Corporation" might be possible. The Recreation Department could provide the vehicle for admin- istration of the complex within the Mayor's cabinet. II. ART, DRAMA, AND MUSIC Many of the cultural needs for this community updated to include the current thoughts of the mem] Council. There are needs for modern workshops and space for traveling art shows should be included. recitals and small productions should be included. been popular in other cities. are outlined in " Michiana Place" but must be ber groups of the Michiana Ants and Science studios for advanced art studies. Exhibition A practice stage and small theater for A "Town Hall' tiered - seating facility has The Michiana Arts and Science Council should continue to coordinate the voluntary and private groups which are building strong programs in the arts. Through a private fund drive, all of South Bend should be able to share in and feel a part of this facility. III. CONVENTION CENTER South Bend now has an outstanding arena and large convention facility in the Athletic and Convocation Center at Notre Dame and several small facilities in hotels and motels. However, there is a need for facilities to provide for groups between 600 and 2000. This facility in downtown South Bend would attract new money, new jobs, and new construction which would help all citizens. The three per cent hotel -motel tax should produce income to maintain this facility. A large exhibition hall which could be shared with the other components of the total com- plex is needed. Facilities for catered dinners for large groups is anticipated. The size of the audditorium required for a convention center will have to be determined. IV. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES As a part of the long -range plans of the South Bend Community School Corporation, it is envisioned that the vocational center at Central High School could be paired with the Cultural Center for advanced training which cannot be provided by individual high schools. High quality facilities and teachers in art, drama-and music can be shared by advanced students from all high schools. Vocational training in such fields as commercial art would be offered. In -deM. h study should be made to determine if older high school students assigned part -time to a cultural center study program would find a creative, meaningful experience that would counter the feelings of some students that their education is irrelevant. Younger students should have classroom facilities in the Cultural Center where a whole class could experience specialized training, in areas such as ceramics, for short periods of time. Opportunities to participate in musical and drama productions for younger children should hopefully encourage them to maintain their interest in the future. Assignment of skilled full -time teachers to the Cultural Center facility would continue the trend toward modern concepts of educational experiences beyond the restrictive classroom. The present school system financial commitment to the South Bend Art Center could provide some support for the ongoing costs of the facility. V. TOURISM The Studebaker Car Collection should become South Bend's greatest tourist attraction. By setting the individual cars in historical period settings with artifacts supplied by the Histor- ical Society, this display can be educational and serve as an attraction to South Bend. A history of transportation could be depicted with the early Conestoga wagons and the three Presi- dential carriages being highlights of a unique collection. The City of South Bend is the owner of this collection and will be a tenant of the complex. The ongoing costs of this facility should be paid by entrance fees. Utilizing the car collec- tion, South Bend should strive to participate in America's Bi- Centennial Celebration, thus attracting additional tourists to the city. PT.ANNTN(. I. SITE There are various sites which can be considered. The site on the north end of the mall could be used to build some of the facilities planned. The river front site now owned by the city has about 8.5 acres. The additional three acres reserved for the city in the downtown plan will be needed to develop all of the facilities in this area. Attention will have to be directed toward providing parking with direct access to the complex. II. FINANCING There has been no attempt to present any cost estimates or methods of financing in this report. III. PLANNING The South Bend Common Council Civic Center Committee has recommended to the Mayor that a city -wide committee representing all interests be appointed with the purpose of making recom- mendations for the development of the complex. In the 1973 budget a position should be funded within the Recreation Department for coordination of planning for this city -wide project.