South Bend's mayor says he is willing to consider using taxpayer money to help land a new owner for the city's tallest building. But not the many millions that have been proposed in the past.
South Bend does not own the Chase Tower downtown, but is of course interested in finding a buyer. That's because some tenants have threatened to move out because the building is in disrepair. The Summit Club, a famous place to eat dinner with a great view, recently closed.
On Thursday morning South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg told WSBT a potential buyer is still assessing the building. The mayor is open to city government being involved in this deal, but not to the extent that a previous potential buyer had wanted.
“I can tell you it's not going to be $5.7 million like they asked the city to do last time,” Buttigieg told WSBT. “But some money? I think it could be worth some kind of public-private partnership. And I haven't ruled out investing some city funds, if that's what it takes to secure the building.”
This potential buyer has extended what's called a “due diligence period.” Engineers are assessing what shape the building is in.
The mayor says this investor is promising.
