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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Community Facilities and Improvements o Maintain Existing Facilities Continued high level of maintenance of existing parks, streets, sidewalks, the Hansel Center, and other neighborhood facilities is required to stabilize property values and to prevent the creation or spread of blighting conditions. o Street Resurfacing, Sidewalk Replacement, and Curb and Gutter Replacement Improvements within public rights -of -way are in basically good condition in major sec- tions of the neighborhood. However, upgrading of street surfaces, curbs and gutters, and sidewalks is needed where deteriorating conditions still exist. Implementation of a public improvements program will upgrade environmental conditions and support build- ings and property maintenance. Action Plan Financial resources currently available to the City of South Bend are: not sufficient to permit scheduling of all improvement projects and activities required to address existing neighborhood needs and to achieve long -range revitalization objectives. Therefore, the implementation program must be staged to include early action on high priority projects for which funding can be secured, while continuing to pursue commitments for future projects. Recommended early action projects and activities include the following: o Acquisition of blighted property on Washington Street, of businesses and residents, and demolition of buildings for redevelopment of assembled sites in accordance with the Development Plan. Funding for this project is expected to be approved as part of a Section 108 Loan request which is still pending with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The recommended time table for implementing the Washington Street Redevelop- ment project will begin immediately upon notification of HUD approval of the City's Section 108 loan application. Property acquisition appraisals, negotiation with property owners, closing on property acquisition, relocation of existing businesses and households, and demolition of buildings and site preparation will require 9 to 12 months to complete. This time frame could be extended if acquisition cannot be concluded without full use of the City's eminent domain powers. Efforts by the City, WWCRP and SBHF to finalize feasibility studies and to prepare design plans for new housing should be concluded during the same 9 to 12 month period as land assembly and site preparation. Con- veyance of acquired property for the start of construction on new housing should be scheduled no later than the completion of site preparation. Construction of the new housing (depending on phasing) should require 9 to 12 months. The objective of the recommended time table is to have new housing available for initial occupancy within 18 months following approval of the Section 108 Loan Application. 29