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Mayor Summers encouraged council and residents to see how this will benefit the City in the <br />future by shifting the tax burden off of households and raise property taxes at a rate slower than <br />they would be ordinarily raised. He also remarked on how this will increase the City's vibrancy. <br />The Committee and Mr. Papendreas discussed the use of union labor for the project. <br />The Committee discussed the use of grants and loans to help with the costs of demolition and <br />abatement. Director Sylvester stated that he will be talking with the County and State <br />Departments of Development and Team NEO about grants. However, an approved term sheet is <br />important prior to having those conversations as these grant dollars are usually tied to potential <br />job creation. <br />Ms. Smyers emphasized that Carnegie's commitments to the City are not tied to the city bringing <br />additional dollars or subsidies to the table. <br />Ms. George expressed concern about relying on retail tenants and asked what the breakdown of <br />commercial tenants will be. <br />Mr. Papendreas responded that office tenants will be the primary focus and that Carnegie will <br />work to create synergy between the office and retail tenants. <br />In response to questions by Mr. Bullock, Mr. Papendreas remarked on his vision for filling the <br />office space. There will be four office floors. The best case scenario is that one tenant will want <br />the entire space. Carnegie will work with the future tenant or tenants to build to suit. They will <br />be searching for a company with an expiring lease or one that is growing and expanding. <br />In response to questions by Mr. Bullock, Ms. Nichols stated that it is unusual in the State to find <br />a project of this scope and size without more public subsidy. <br />Mayor Summers and Ms. Nichols addressed questions by Mr. Rader as to why the dollars set <br />aside to raze the property are not included in the ROI calculation. Ms. Nichols explained that this <br />is customary and agreed to provide examples from other developments. <br />Director Sylvester, Mayor Summers, and Ms. Nichols discussed the pros and cons to having the <br />City lease the land instead of sell it. They discussed examples from other cities and explained <br />why they believed this was the less desirable option. <br />Public Comment <br />Dave Wondolowski <br />Mr. Wondolowski spoke as a representative of the Cleveland Building and Trades Council, <br />remarking that other communities in the County are envious of this development opportunity. He <br />encouraged Council to seize the opportunity and to vote in favor of it. <br />Terry Joyce <br />