[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6031891,"mediaKeyId","5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49","parentId",5462187,"title","Committee recommends abatement for Center City Place rehab at 225–229 South Michigan","audioSeconds",211,"startMs",4532000,"endMs",4743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49&start=4532&end=4743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49/thumbnail_4532000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6031891/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Committee-recommends-abatement-for-Center-City-Place-rehab-at-225229-South-Michigan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031891-2825df3ec3c149e8bf70575c27d04915/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204049&Signature=m7exTbEQyvHBSK~YOEVgI2AqILXBZLEMVGJUuB2lXkwoZ7x4f7HEgxF7g1EMWsTYqIZTGGRmNbSfB2EU~kGdT5MQBQ6Uj0jerT7qUdV8ICoww6Kkas7H64X7XbjYnokx0ZkzzW3lM30h6A4MFc80~21QGLXci3aIu7TW9H4m~bERpbASzTQ6ojL1~1a6y-R5Tkwf9fyKsre-Xo-9Hsq5oJrHyLyG5Xwb1CMZUk14l-2O7VqnlRVZBziaqQakxGhGw7nDAJFOI5NPthOSVbnN7S56vyTuPQtaOkavCPZAiGELkuoq88MfZIOK~0-PDhp0OlK3~gHjA5MV~NSr0q4kMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Bend City, IN","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Community Investment Committee voted unanimously to forward a confirming resolution recommending a real-property tax abatement for redevelopment of the building at 225 and 229 South Michigan Street, known historically as the Grand Leader Building (Center City Place).

Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, presented the request. Molnar said the approximately 38,000-square-foot building dates to the early 20th century and has been vacant for at least a decade. The proposal by owners RSVG Global Consulting and developers Benjamin and Christina Miller would restore an original stone façade believed to be under a 1960s-era facing, reopen windows, and convert the ground floor to restaurants (including a potential brewery) with hotel uses on the upper floors. Molnar said total investment is a little more than $5.825 million and estimated new employment at roughly 11 full-time positions with an annual payroll just north of $800,000 after project completion.

Molnar presented tax estimates: current annual taxes on the vacant building are about $8,400; post-project annual taxes were estimated at roughly $116,000. Over the life of the abatement, the city would abate about $611,000 while $322,000 would be paid; Molnar said that without the project, taxes collected would be approximately $84,000 over the same period. Christina Miller, a listed developer, was present online and indicated she would attend the full council meeting in person.

No members of the public offered testimony for or against the abatement during the committee hearing. Committee members voted to send Bill 25-13 to the full council with a favorable recommendation; clerks recorded ayes from Committee Member Gooden Rogers, Committee Member Bolden Simpson, Committee Vice Chair White and Committee Chair Warner.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02-10-2025 South Bend City Council Committees","oneSentenceSummary","A confirming resolution to grant a real-property tax abatement for rehabilitation of the former Grand Leader/Center City Place building at 225 and 229 South Michigan Street was forwarded to the full council with a favorable recommendation (4-0).","taxTitle","South Bend City, St. Joseph County, Indiana","taxId",3921,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031896,"Committee forwards Riverwalk TIF allocation-area resolution for 291-unit riverfront project",1480,3044000,4524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49&start=3044&end=4524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49/thumbnail_3044000.jpg","/articles/6031896/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Committee-forwards-Riverwalk-TIF-allocation-area-resolution-for-291-unit-riverfront-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031896-39f170b83a676d588090e7feaa5f377c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204049&Signature=Pmy5IOQHq5xQDjhYQsMR8bQlPhOTaFWf4dClASYo8hUbc2D~3wRFG92PK36r6yuNa4bZ-32K~kt7uX40lvHlnJvKI~Zp4XMLjJb3TUoo1P64qqS7ctnDnwu1ai0lysizzRLyeRJle0vfpWXme3FYHL3mebhhi2nxMjZPbI7RHljakQd3Mt7EZY4CmYqJm1mPITRuddnSjmodhDUPiF04~Gj5ekP4ow-TBiLIDBYYGg4b72VIYGAoI~jcEOGri94HvN9E6-kWnn7amezKZZfVIpo8gPHthP5g3bSXYgPmPnC5EAx6xYJseAgJZfdpA76zxBefg5iqYY1t4hUkHu7AwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Investment Committee voted 4-0 to forward a resolution that would amend the River West Development Area and create a project-specific tax increment financing (TIF) allocation area to support the Riverwalk multifamily development.

Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment, described the project as a two-building, riverfront multifamily development proposed by JC Hart Company that would deliver 291 market-rate apartment units and a 398-space structured parking garage. Bauer said the private investment minimum is approximately $61.5 million and that the city would support the project with a developer-backed bond paid by the project’s incremental property-tax revenue. \"This is an effective tool for unlocking upfront capital that can go into the project primarily in assisting with the structured garage development,\" Bauer said. He told the committee the developer will guarantee debt-service payments so the city does not carry the repayment risk.

Bauer detailed the financing structure the city would use if the council later approves the bond ordinances: the proposed allocation area would be a 25-year commercial TIF in which 90% of incremental tax revenue would be pledged to debt service and an additional 6% would be pledged up to a negotiated cap of $1,340,000 to accommodate a portion of CRO's parking needs in the structure. The presentation estimated the bond authorization request would seek net proceeds not to exceed $17,000,000; Bauer said he expected actual gross proceeds would be roughly $14.8 million and estimated net proceeds around $11.9 million.

Project proponents from JC Hart Company (Todd May and Chandler Sturgis) summarized their experience with similar riverfront and parking-wrapped projects in Indiana and said the development is intended to act as a catalyst for additional Riverwalk investment. Bauer said the project would create about six permanent full-time positions and more than 200 temporary construction jobs; he outlined a timeline that would aim for approvals by March, bond closing mid-year, and construction completion by the end of 2028.

Council members asked about examples of similar project-based TIFs in the region and the intended availability of garage spaces for Crow employees and the public. JC Hart said the first level (65 spaces) would be dedicated to Crow and the remainder reserved for residents; street parking would be public. Phil Fasenda of Barnes & Thornburg (city bond counsel) and Matt Eckerley of Baker Tilly (municipal adviser) were listed as available to answer legal and financing questions.

The committee motion to forward Bill 25-12 to the full council with a favorable recommendation passed with four ayes recorded from Committee Member Gooden Rogers, Committee Member Bolden Simpson, Committee Vice Chair White and Committee Chair Warner. The action moves the matter to the full council for bond-ordinance review and final approval steps.","The committee voted 4-0 to send a resolution that would carve a project-based tax increment financing (TIF) allocation area to support a 291-unit Riverwalk multifamily development and a 398-space structured garage financed with developer-backed bonds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031901,"Committee recommends tax abatements to support GTA Containers expansion at 445 North Sheridan",467,2502000,2969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49&start=2502&end=2969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49/thumbnail_2502000.jpg","/articles/6031901/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Committee-recommends-tax-abatements-to-support-GTA-Containers-expansion-at-445-North-Sheridan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031901-141cc5e99d9cd04e190b59633f087b7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204049&Signature=khh78Dx6ZC1KsLbs7tgAR5aCPpKTrdM2UqrWQpaNswYw5TnaCS4cyV1DWs8EgcvdgKeZv70xAVC6jCvdkmd~ekOodugiRVLytHthyMueMkwIMVmbtx1VCHYSo18t0Kjmb8GGKdDDuSg1gaYLnDY3qCovBfidwD-oNRX1nYrp4RdPPxRtS~BmcpMYRdjNXFJJ6d9uksTpFVFZb0mtA-QZbz5nIqBebZs1myHhRJYNiZ0dbQOlVeH9zFdUTAOJlA~6YWJwEfDDCu-It-Wu2jf-Kv0gt4FeW6l7u9p2BPwfjNCDs8yQVx3NElvAhtdDNbP57Q2Oyi5CQixbgXwPHab5og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Investment Committee voted 4-0 to forward two confirming resolutions that would grant tax abatements to support an expansion by GTA Containers at 445 North Sheridan Street.

Mark Behmender, manager of business development, told the committee the project will create a new 112,000-square-foot facility and install new equipment as part of a combined investment of roughly $11.1 million ($8.8 million for the facility, $2.3 million for equipment). Behmender said GTA Containers currently employs 143 full-time workers and expects to add about 15 employees by the end of 2027.

Behmender described the abatement math: the proposed eight-year real property abatement (Bill 25-10) would abate about $704,000 in taxes while generating approximately $833,000 in tax dollars to the city over the same period. For the five-year personal property abatement (Bill 25-11), Behmender said the equipment investment is expected to produce roughly $184,000 in additional taxes across five years, of which $131,000 would be abated and $53,000 would accrue.

Isaac Hall of Great Lakes Capital, a development associate listed as a petitioner, said the investment will benefit the LaSalle Park neighborhood as well as the city. Igor Popov, identified as CEO of GTA Containers, said the company plans to add a third building on its existing campus and is available to answer technical questions.

No public commenters spoke for or against the measures in committee. Committee members recorded unanimous support; clerks recorded ayes from Committee Member Gooden Rogers, Committee Member Bolden Simpson, Committee Vice Chair White and Committee Chair Warner. Both Bill 25-10 and Bill 25-11 will be sent to the full council with favorable recommendations.","The committee voted 4-0 to forward two confirming resolutions: an 8-year real property abatement (Bill 25-10) and a 5-year personal property abatement (Bill 25-11) to support GTA Containers’ $11.1 million expansion and equipment purchase at 445 North Sheridan Street.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031906,"Committee backs 2-year vacant-building tax abatement for Studebaker Administration Building at 635 South Main",1112,1905000,3017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49&start=1905&end=3017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462187-b311893c8b844409d4e9c8e4d1acda49/thumbnail_1905000.jpg","/articles/6031906/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Committee-backs-2-year-vacant-building-tax-abatement-for-Studebaker-Administration-Building-at-635-South-Main","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031906-cddbcb290f50e5333c7b8bb337cbc614/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204049&Signature=Z4e9VP1gQie2WA2SVas9UvuWwr3EnqfcNSNbjL7v7rXOLeKV~tMmj3H9Ejgb3FVA4yIihkwmTZNh3mxKOfWSrT3qFg8bYCInmllSr24ZBvqu8M0~3iLydtX6Ecy9bxh2MJfs1YCyZpSU1SWWQ~tYz34a8N0GKskHdL88n8H9pdFsJQ17v1FwVE91OVEMR0vUpDQ70hUXOMcTcjuvpZp3hk7moCgHISgcSAEEBjjPduenXz9grnvGOAxlp65Wsc52SZPqyQXa9y9RfSSp4aKhegy8kFi4n~1x~LRIwCvKbFUWWza4z7Wx6NCTGgvfEk-ygcozhz~y4Ue0upzFDI5NEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Bend City Council’s Community Investment Committee voted 4-0 to send a confirming resolution recommending a two-year vacant-building tax abatement for 635 South Main Street, the Studebaker Administration Building.

The confirming resolution would vacate a portion of property taxes for two years to help stabilize and preserve the roughly 150,000-square-foot building, which petitioners said has been vacant for about two decades. \"The intention is to ensure that the historic elements are retained,\" petitioner Kevin Smith said, describing plans to make the building watertight and to restore original features.

The abatement request was presented by Joe Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity. Molnar told the committee the stabilization project is intended to address major physical deterioration — including a failing roof and many missing windows — and preparatory environmental remediation so the structure can be positioned for future redevelopment. The total immediate investment for stabilization was described as roughly $920,000. Molnar said the proposed abatement would cover only a portion of taxes for the next two years; \"the total estimated taxes abated would be a little over $20,000 with paid a little over $10,000,\" he said.

Kevin Smith, the petitioner, said he has studied and cared for the building for six or seven years and that the plan is to restore historic elements and reopen the building for future uses, potentially mixing commercial space on lower floors with residential units above. \"We would... stabilize it, clean it up, finalize the MEP design, and then really pay attention to what's going on in the baseball stadium and the Cubs area and the surrounding to see what the highest and best use would be in, say, two years,\" Smith said.

No members of the public spoke for or against the abatement during the public hearing. Committee members raised no substantive objections on the record. The committee motion to forward Bill 25-09 to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation passed with four ayes recorded from Committee Member Gooden Rogers, Committee Member Bolden Simpson, Committee Vice Chair White and Committee Chair Warner.

The confirming resolution now moves to the committee of the whole for further consideration by the full council. If approved in subsequent proceedings, the abatement would take effect as described in the confirming resolution.","The Community Investment Committee voted 4-0 to recommend a confirming resolution that clears a two-year vacant-building tax abatement intended to stabilize the long-vacant Studebaker Administration Building at 635 South Main Street.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends abatement for Center City Place rehab at 225–229 South Michigan

Committee forwards Riverwalk TIF allocation-area resolution for 291-unit riverfront project

Committee recommends tax abatements to support GTA Containers expansion at 445 North Sheridan

Committee backs 2-year vacant-building tax abatement for Studebaker Administration Building at 635 South Main