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TH4A i EN D <br />MAYOR STEP &N !. LurckE <br />Letter from the Mayor <br />Dear Friends and Neighbors, <br />As new housing emerges in the Northeast Neighborhood near the University of <br />Notre Dame, there is a telling statistic: the single largest category of new <br />homebuyers consists of people who are moving into South Bend after previously <br />buying in suburban locations. <br />Frequently, we hear from people who've settled outside of South Bend that they <br />were unaware of the benefits and quality of life within the city at the time they <br />were looking to buy a home. Feeling somewhat remote in locations distant from <br />work and other activities, they are seeking to trade isolated backyard decks for <br />inviting front porches. <br />For nearly a year, the City of South Bend has been working in partnership with <br />people on the front lines of the housing market to make sure they are fully <br />equipped to let prospective homebuyers know these features. Through a <br />residential marketing initiative, the City has taken a more active role in promoting <br />market -rate residential neighborhoods. We've hired Sue Solmos, a real- estate <br />agent with national recognition for public- private efforts in Indianapolis, to market <br />city neighborhoods, especially near- downtown residential areas. <br />As part of this initiative, 20 area Realtors participated in a series of eight classes <br />about South Bend's history, quality of life and civic amenities in an inaugural <br />Real Estate Certification Class. Participants visited our Museum Campus, toured <br />neighborhoods and economic development projects, and received an inside look at <br />South Bend's landmark amenities. Graduates of the program will be recognized as <br />South Bend - certified realtors, well - versed about the City's offerings and <br />neighborhoods. <br />The program proved so popular that two more classes are being added. In <br />addition, builders, mortgage brokers, banks, hotels, higher - educational institutions <br />and the business community have expressed interest in participating in similar <br />training experiences. We are especially grateful to our partners in this initiative, <br />who include the Greater South Bend Mishawaka Board of Realtors, Historic <br />Landmarks Foundation of Northern Indiana, the University of Notre Dame, and <br />the Northern Indiana Center for History. <br />Along with the certification effort, Solmos is working directly with neighborhood <br />groups in promoting their assets more broadly. A recent report by Forbes indicated <br />that South Bend is the sixth most affordable metropolitan area in the nation. At a <br />time when many Americans cannot afford to own a home, we want to put out the <br />welcome mat to demonstrate the great value of housing in South Bend. When <br />people understand the diverse housing options this city offers, it will help South <br />Bend continue to be a community of choice. <br />Sincerely, <br />A� 6er�_ <br />Mayor Steve <br />THIS MONTH... <br />Mayor's Letter <br />Art Beat 2009 <br />Cease the Grease <br />Green Tips <br />Fridays by the Fountain <br />Parks & Recreation Concerts <br />• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • to <br />• <br />• Art in the Heart . \'`�` • <br />• of South Bend ''►."��— • <br />• <br />• The Art Beat Steering Committee is • <br />• now accepting applications for participation <br />• in downtown South Bend's Art Beat to be • <br />held on September 26, 2009 from 10 AM to • <br />• 6 PM. Artists living in the following • <br />• counties are eligible for participation: <br />• St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall and • <br />Starke counties in Indiana, and Berrien and • <br />• Cass counties in Michigan. • <br />• A few changes have been instituted in <br />the artist application process for 2009. A • <br />• $10 non - refundable application processing • <br />• fee is required for submitting an application <br />• this year. There is however no booth fee for • <br />the event. Artists are responsible for • <br />• bringing their own tables, chairs and tents. <br />• Also new is the online application for • <br />• Visual Artists, who will be able to submit • <br />their information including samples of • <br />• work via the internet. Performing artists <br />• and culinary artists will submit their • <br />applications as in the past. Application • <br />• forms can be found online at: • <br />• ArtBeatSouthBend.org. Application <br />deadline is August 3, 2009. • <br />• Now in its seventh year, Art Beat • <br />• features over 500 individual and group <br />• artisans and performers, and draws over • <br />7,000 visitors. The streets and sidewalks of • <br />• downtown South Bend are transformed into • <br />• a live interactive gallery as artists, dancers, <br />• musicians, actors, poets and culinary artists • <br />display and perform their talents. For more • <br />• information, visit ArtBeatSouthBend.org or <br />• <br />call 574-282-1110. <br />• <br />Vsit Our Website at www SoutliBendIN.gov! <br />