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Several initiatives, already in the works during 2010, will come to fruition in 2011. A <br />new animal shelter for South Bend Animal Care and Control will open in 2011 as will a <br />new river otter exhibit at Potawatomi Zoo. Plans also are under way for the rehabilitation <br />of the Ella Morris/Muessel-Ellison Botanical Conservatories at Potawatomi Park and <br />ongoing renovation to Coveleski Stadium. <br />Through the end of 2010, the City of South Bend will have demolished more than 500 <br />vacant and abandoned homes – 25 percent more than originally projected when the effort <br />began in 2007. <br />“We eliminated the worst of the worst. While lots still remain in the hands of neglectful <br />owners, at least these structures no longer negatively impact our neighborhoods,” said <br />Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. “These structures were dangerously deteriorated. They were <br />not candidates for rehab, but a blight on our neighborhoods and a potential source of <br />crime.” <br />Since the Common Council’s adoption of a vacant house registration ordinance, Code <br />Enforcement staff have registered 166 newly vacant or abandoned houses. <br />Code Enforcement staff will conduct a new count of vacant and abandoned houses in <br />South Bend, following up on a previous effort conducted in 2006. <br />In addition to the demolitions, Code crews through June 30 performed more than 18,000 <br />inspections for housing, zoning, vehicular or other violations. Some 800 animals were <br />adopted, returned to the owner or sent to rescue operations by South Bend Animal Care <br />and Control. <br />While the City’s 2011 General Fund budget is essentially flat when compared with 2010, <br />the budget for Code Enforcement will increase 2.18 percent to $2,394,280, while South <br />Bend Parks and Recreation’s budget is essentially flat with a 0.29 percent increase to <br />$13,951,480 for 2011. <br />The Council’s budget hearings will continue at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, with the <br />Department of Public Works. The Department of Community and Economic <br />Development, the Building Department and the Morris Performing Arts Center/Palais <br />Royale are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Aug. 30, with Police and Fire/EMS at 3 p.m. Sept. 1. <br /># # # <br />