12-15-2006 $9 million + “All American Plaza” Proposed for Downtown South Bend

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04SOUTTU8�N 4 O w PEACE a fe Y R 1865 Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE December 15, 2006 10:00 AM Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications& Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 Michael Wargo,principal, Michigan Street, LLC, 323-7502 Bill Lamie, RA, Architecture Design Group, 288-6626 Jennifer Laurent, City of So. Bend Economic Development Planner, 235-9336 $9 million + "All American Plaza" Proposed for Downtown South Bend South Bend,Indiana - Mike Wargo and Brad Toothaker, principals of Michigan Street, LLC, presented the South Bend Redevelopment Commission finalized plans for a new mixed-use condominium development,AllAmerican Plaza, proposed to cover half of a city block in the heart of downtown South Bend. Partnering with the City of South Bend,the development will incorporate a renovation of the historic American Bank& Trust Building at 101 North Michigan Street as a signature first phase of development. The project is anticipated to bring 55,000 sq. ft. of modern retail, office and residential condominiums, off-street parking and green space to one of South Bend's busiest intersections. Construction of the first new retail storefront,the All-American Newsstand, is already underway and is set to open next month. South Bend continues to grow as the regional center for business, health, education, arts and culture. "This is another exciting project for the heart of downtown and is a wonderful example of the direction that the City is taking in creating a thriving, new mix for our downtown environment," said Mayor Luecke. "We are pleased to partner with Mike, Brad, and Michigan Street, LLC and know that AllAmerican Plaza will be a perfect complement to the array of new and expanding businesses and venues that make South Bend a great place to work,play,visit, and live downtown." "After decades of trying to figure out new uses and solutions to the underutilized Bank building, it is very exciting to see this public-private partnership happen," said Todd Zeiger, Director of the Northern Regional Office of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. "The building anchors the central intersection of the downtown, making it a landmark in all aspects of the word. The first floor changes have obscured the original classical beauty of the building's design, and the demolition of the adjoining building in the 1960's left this building stranded. It will be wonderful to have the original windows restored on the ground floor, in the upper floors again and some new infill to unite this building with the rest of the block once again." -more-