11-20-09 Staff provide update on Coveleski-area planning

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Page 2. The plan consists of three segments: ? Enhancements to City-owned Coveleski Stadium, which is leased to the Class A minor league South Bend Silver Hawks franchise. Built for $11 million in 1987, Coveleski Stadium is worth an estimated $35 million to $40 million today. In addition to a new entrance, the changes would enable the stadium to have a concourse with 360-degree seating. ? In the block surrounding the ballpark, creation of a park-like entrance at the corner of Lafayette and Western with new parking areas and two new corridors, which would extend Monroe Street east from Taylor to Lafayette, and Franklin Street south to Taylor. ? Improvements to the wider Coveleski Park neighborhood, bounded by Taylor Street on the west, Jefferson Boulevard on the north, Lafayette Boulevard on the east and the stadium to the south. Mixed-use development could include infill housing, new development and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Even as the strategy was under development, City officials have had conversations with potential development partners interested in sites near the stadium for new commercial businesses. But, for now, initial efforts will focus on improvements to the stadium itself. The Redevelopment Commission, later this year, will consider a construction design contract with Populous (formerly HOK Sport) for Phase 1, which will focus on Coveleski Stadium. As the designer of such prestigious ballparks as Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Cleveland’s Jacobs Field, HOK also was the architect when Coveleski Stadium was built in 1987. Phase 1 plans for the Cove include renovation to existing concourse suites, press box and clubhouses to start before the 2010 baseball season. In Phase 2, the most extensive work will take place. A new main entrance would be built in centerfield, including a team store, concession stands and restrooms. Within the ballpark, regarded berms will enable new enhancements: a bar, a picnic terrace, a high- top group area. Phase 3 would focus on right field and include the addition of new batting areas, a Kids Zone with kids concession areas and a display area for semi-trucks. The City, which has been concentrating land-acquisition efforts south of Western Avenue, will consider sites north of Western as development opportunities present themselves. Other next steps will include potential relocation of the historic B’Nai Yisrael (Sons of Israel) synagogue at 416 S. Williams Street and the conversion of north- south streets Lafayette Boulevard and William Street to two-way traffic throughout the downtown area. - 30 -