DEMOCRAT
SOUTH BEND
South Bend - Building on Success
The Next Five Years
With broad community support for the City Plan, Mayor Luecke is mobilizing South Bend around a shared vision. In the next five years, South Bend will grow as:
A Thriving Community
A $215 million mixed-use development – the largest, single development in decades – will bring two hotels, new retail, offices, and homes to the Northeast Neighborhood. Portage Prairie will flourish on the far Northwest, creating new neighborhoods, destination retail and high-end jobs.
400 abandoned houses will be demolished and a $1 home program will bring new homebuyers who agree to significant renovations. This will pave the way for new housing that will help stabilize older neighborhoods.
The city is more than halfway to completing demolition of 5.8 million square feet of dinosaur industrial buildings, opening 140 acres in the Studebaker corridor for new investment, new jobs and renewed pride.
A High-Tech Community
A certified technology park near the University of Notre Dame will nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and attract high-tech businesses to South Bend, creating high-paying jobs.
The Metronet fiber optic network will strengthen local companies, while bringing data centers and other tech-savvy businesses to our city.
Smart sensors will use state of the art technology to monitor and control flow in our sewer system – saving tens of millions of dollars as we save the environment.
A Safer Community
The Violence Reduction Project will supplement Project Disarm and other efforts to remove illegal guns from the streets.
Automated palm print identification will join technology that highlights crime hot spots and enhances our ability to identify, apprehend and prosecute criminals.
Community outreach will strengthen partnerships and change lives through Gang Resistance Education and Training, Citizens’ Police Academy, and Neighborhood & Business Watch programs.
A regional training center will reinforce our commitment to provide the best training, equipment and facilities for our police and firefighters.
A Vital Community
A pedestrian path and bicycle trail will follow the river along its entire course through the City as we look for new opportunities to connect the community.
A 50-mile network of bicycle lanes will provide environmentally friendly access to neighborhoods, parks, institutions, and a burgeoning downtown arts and culture district.
We will value and protect the St. Joseph River. A 10-year plan to reduce overflows into the river will also separate combined storm/sanitary sewers in neighborhoods most prone to basement backups.
The planned Kroc Community Center on South Bend’s near west side will help all our children to reach their full potential. This 85,000-square-foot world-class youth and family center will open in 2009 with activities related to education, recreation, fine arts and life development for families and teens.
A Centered Community
Downtown South Bend will enhance its position as the regional center for arts & culture, healthcare, entertainment, business and finance.
New sculpture and other public art will complement galleries and art venues. Unique, locally owned restaurants will provide variety and the highest quality dining. Specialty retail will attract local and regional customers.
Hotel, office and condo developments will add to the rich fabric of downtown and new investments, while efforts will link Coveleski Stadium more closely to the core of downtown.