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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c Chapin Street Development Plan The Chapin Street Development Project Area is a three -block corridor which connects Washington Street to Western Avenue. The corridor currently includes a number of one- and two- story, largely vacant commercial storefronts, plus a sprinkling of residential buildings, most of which are multi - family. The objective of this plan is to create a secondary neighborhood commercial area (Washington and Walnut being the primary neighborhood commercial area) focused on the intersection of Chapin and Napier. Initially, the development concept for the corridor, which is illustrated in Figure 5, calls for the rehabilitation of 11 structures. An off - street parking program would also be undertaken. The remaining structures would either be renovated or redeveloped as residential or commercial projects when market conditions warrant. Under the Chapin corridor concept, the largest concentration of commercial space would be on the west side of Chapin between Western and Napier. The South Bend Heritage Foundation is already involved in a joint venture redevelopment of this block. When completed, ap- proximately 8,000 square feet of commercial space will be available. Parking for 61 cars could be provided behind the development. K &F Food Mart should be rehabilitated, and the vacant lot immediately north of the food store could accommodate 17 off - street parking spaces. The Food Bank of Michiana would be relocated to the building on the south end of the block and the current building and the deteriorated single - family structure should be removed. The Soul Food restaurant and grocery store on the east side of Chapin Street should be rehabilitated. The two - family residential structure should be acquired and rehabilitated for a commercial use compatible with the area. Finally, six new residential structures would be constructed on the block between Jefferson and Wayne. The existing gas station would be removed. The program for the remainder of the three -block corridor should focus on-(a) removing blight- ing influences such as junkyards, abandoned cars, etc; (b) rehabilitating the remaining buildings including the vacant tavern at the corner of Thomas and Chapin; (c) cleaning up and landscap- ing all vacant parcels as an initial effort to improve the appearance of the corridor while creat- ing land for future development. This strategy would include the vacant block south of the gas station and the vacant parcel south of the tavern on Thomas; and (d) other public improve- ments, including sidewalk repair, alley resurfacing, parkway trees, pedestrian street lighting be- tween Thomas and Western and a landscaped gateway feature on both northern corners of West- ern and Chapin. Industrial Area Development Plan New development as part of the Washington Street project will provide job opportunities during construction. However, the major source of employment is the underutilized industrial area lo- cated south of Washington Street. Preliminary estimates indicate that development of an in- dustrial park in this area could accommodate approximately 130,000 square feet of new in- dustrial space. If this area could be successfully marketed over a ten year year period utilizing both Enterprise Zone and Tax Increment Financing incentives, an average of 13,000 square feet of new space per year may provide job opportunities for 8 to 12 persons, depending on the type of industrial use. (See Figure 6, Industrial Area Development Plan). 22