No. 0908 expanding the boundaries of the WWCDA, expanding the allocation area for purposes of TIF, and amending the development plan

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INTRODUCTION This report presents the Comprehensive Neighborhood and Development Plan for the Near Westside Neighborhood of South Bend, Indiana. It includes recommendations for land -use, cir- culation, public improvements, reuse and rehabilitation of existing buildings, and new develop- ment projects. It also includes an implementation strategy for carrying out plan and project recommendations. The planning project was initiated in the Spring of 1988 by the City of South Bend, through its Department of Economic Development, together with the West Washington/ Chapin Revitaliza- tion Project, Inc. (WWCRP), a not - for - profit planning and advisory group, and South Bend Heritage Foundation (SBHF), a not - for - profit neighborhood development organization. The City retained the consulting firm of Trkla, Pettigrew, Allen & Payne, Inc. to assist in this joint effort. The firm of Applied Real Estate Analysis (AREA) provided assistance in assessing market potentials. A study committee, comprised of representatives of WWCRP, the South Bend Heritage Foundation, and City' representatives, was formed to assist in the planning process. Background of the Study The Near Westside of South Bend is one of the City's oldest neighborhoods. The population of the neighborhood is predominantly minority and lower income. Like many inner city neigh- borhoods, during the past several decades the Near Westside has experienced economic disin- vestment, racial change, physical decline, and a significant crime problem. However, it has several assets upon which the revitalization effort can build. Adjacent to downtown, it contains a National Register Historic District, many active churches, strong neighborhood organizations, and a deeply rooted sense of community as well as history. Near Westside residents are en- thusiastic about their ability to build upon their community's assets and reverse the symbols of decline. Figure 1 depicts the location of the Near Westside in South Bend. The Planning Program The comprehensive planning program for the Near Westside entailed a three -phase process or- ganized around a series of working conferences or workshops with members of the planning task force. The first phase consisted of reviewing previously prepared reports and plans, con- ducting field reconnaissance surveys, and interviewing "key persons" in the community to obtain their first -hand perceptions and views. Phase 1 began with an "issues workshop" during which members of the task force identified and ranked concerns for further consideration during the planning process. It concluded with a workshop that set forth goals and objectives for the comprehensive plan. The second phase entailed the preparation of alternate development scenarios, along with identification of programs, strategies and resources for plan implementa- tion. Phase II concluded with the task force's review of the alternatives and selection of a con- cept and strategy. The third phase of the program consisted of preparation of the draft plan, refined through a working conference and public meeting, resulting in this final report.