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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting -March 3, 2006 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />A. South Bend Central Development Area <br />() continued... <br />This question also relates to the previous <br />question concerning planning. Residential <br />growth must be encouraged in the East Bank <br />and environs. But so must density and as <br />much "24/7" activity as possible. In that <br />sense there is a desirable and necessary role <br />for office and retail activity in the East Bank. <br />Proximity to jobs and entertainment are <br />critical to a healthy urban residential <br />environment. <br />With respect to the race or riverfront, the <br />issue in our judgment is not the use. Rather it <br />is the quality of planning and design. For <br />example, whatever use fronts the riverbank, <br />an appealing public space must be preserved. <br />Residential use as much as any other use can <br />impair that if not properly designed. <br />Our plan contemplates a clear and inviting <br />public presence along the riverbank and <br />enhances that potential dramatically with the <br />proposed pedestrian bridge across the river <br />and pedestrian-friendly enhancements to the <br />Colfax Bridge. <br />Our proposed buildings are fairly large in <br />scale, but scale within reason is not a <br />negative if the buildings and sites are <br />designed to be inviting to people who work, <br />shop - or live - in the space. Such design <br />details as setbacks, view sheds, use of <br />materials worked out within a basic respect <br />for the character and "bones" of the site will <br />result in a wonderful addition to both skyline <br />and riverfront. <br />30 <br />