Testimony before the South Bend Common Council
From a representative of the Community Forum for Economic Development
Concerning the Eddy Street Commons Project
July16, 2007
The Community Forum for Economic Development is an organization that
includes participants from throughout St. Joseph County. What unites
us is our desire to increase living standards and opportunities for
area residents – in other words, to support economic development in our
communities.
We are particularly supportive of projects that can contribute to the
revitalization of economically distressed areas of the city, and the
Eddy Street Commons is capable of being such a development.
It is located within Census Tract 10; according to the Census Bureau,
census tract 10 has a poverty rate of 29%, an unemployment rate of 16%,
and a median household income of $13,726. Since the Eddy Street
Commons will be located within the Northeast Neighborhood TIF
districts, it is expected that the tax increment from the Commons will
be used for infrastructural improvements in the Triangle Area – an area
long in need of revitalization efforts. It is also expected that the
tax increment will eventually be used for the Five Points Project, a
second area of historic concern for the residents of Northeast South
Bend.
Because of its location, this project has the potential for providing
employment opportunities, both during construction and upon its
completion, for residents of the immediate neighborhood as well as for
inner-city residents using public transportation. We urge Kite Realty to make a written commitment to promote the hiring of local residents and particularly minority employees.
Other benefits to the community that we urge Kite to address, in writing, include:
a pledge to use contractors that will pay construction workers the prevailing wage level,- a pledge to use contractors that maintain a written Affirmative
Action Plan that conforms to those required of federal contractors, as
specified in Executive Order 11246 and the Federal Code of Regulations, - a commitment to construction that meets energy-efficient building
standards at the Silver level or higher, as prescribed by the US Green
Building Council’s current Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) rating system.
On many of the details of the Eddy Street Commons Plan, we defer to the
input from residents of the area. We are particularly respectful of
the role of the NENC, and of the process that has taken place among
members of the NNRO. We applaud a development process that has
included stakeholders at the table, and we support the continuing
involvement of community representatives in decisions that will be made
as the project is developed.
Jobs that will be created by the proposed hotels, retail
establishments, and offices should be good jobs – paying
self-sufficient wages and providing health and retirement benefits for
employees. Green space should be maximized, with input from residents
as to the location and use for unpaved areas. Only continuing
community involvement will insure that the Eddy Street Commons will
improve our city by increasing living standards and opportunities for
area residents.