06-04-2007 Effort will reopen ‘windows’ on the St. Joseph River

Home Browse Search

,SOUTH OF e� 4 �d F �y U C PEACE Ins Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE June 4, 2007 10:30 a.m. Effort will re-open `windows' on the St. Joseph River Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876- 1564, Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, 235-5923, or Phil St. Clair, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, 299-4768 The beauty of the St. Joseph River will become more visible to pedestrians, bicyclers and motorists as part of a new "Windows on the River" initiative announced today by South Bend Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. As South Bend's biggest natural asset, the St. Joseph River often is obscured from view by"scrub growth"—weeds, vines and other organic debris that neither stabilize the riverbank nor enhance the river's ecosystem. In the coming months, city crews hope to re-open "windows on the river"—500-foot sections providing clear viewing points —at strategic places along the St. Joseph River's 17 miles of riverbank in South Bend. When completed,they hope to have a total of 1 mile of Windows on the River—nearly 6 percent of the shoreline on both sides—without impacting the riparian tree canopy that sustains aquatic life. The effort comes in response to the call from residents during the City Plan process for the city to preserve and enhance the river as natural resource. "As the river flows from Logan Street to Darden Road, there are many places where residents of a previous era saw the river's natural beauty," Luecke said. `By re-opening windows on the river, we hope to restore scenic views that were enjoyed for generations. We want people to rediscover what makes South Bend such a beautiful and livable community." Luecke made the announcement along the St. Joseph River near Century Center and Jefferson Boulevard, where city crews began work on the first three locations of concentrated cleanup work. Other segments scheduled for work in June include Lincolnway East near the Twyckenham Drive Bridge on June 11 and 12, and North Shore Boulevard near the Leeper Park Bridge on June 18.