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into the area have a positive impact on the Near Westside <br />area and improve its ties to downtown. <br />3. General improvements and development efforts downtown are <br />also perceived as having a positive impact on the study <br />area. Projects mentioned include the Century City <br />convention /conference complex, rehabilitated industrial <br />buildings for commercial use, and a planned new residential <br />development along the river. <br />4. Some respondents feel that all available land downtown has <br />been developed, and that the Near Westside is an ideal <br />"spillover" area. The demand for Class B- rehabilitated <br />office space seems to be high, and the existence of some <br />commercial office space in the Near Westside could provide <br />the encouragement new investors need to come into the area. <br />Also, the positive economic trends throughout the city may <br />provide the climate to make investment possible in <br />commercial office space. <br />5. Some respondents believe that the Near Westside neighborhood <br />could also provide both retail and recreational activities <br />for downtown employees whose demand for these items is <br />currently unmet. These must be within walking distance of <br />downtown. Suggested retail establishments include a <br />convenience grocery, a dry - cleaners and a hair salon. <br />6. in reference to housing in the study area, one respondent <br />feels that realtors are contributing to the negative <br />impression of the Near Westside by not marketing it <br />universally. This individual expressed a clear need for a <br />city- or ccunty -run Fair Housing Agency. The primary task <br />of this agency would be to educate real-t--ors about all <br />perceptions versus realities of various areas within South <br />Bend, including the Near Westside neighborhood. <br />10 <br />APPLIED REAL ESTATE ANALYSIS, INC. <br />