No. 0626 designating the East Bank Dev. Area, declaring the East Bank Dev. Area to be blighted, approving development plan/conditions under which relocation pmts. will be made

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Introduction The East Bank Development Area offers the City of South Bend a unique opportunity. The Area, consisting of approx- imately 52 net acres, is located directly to the east of the Central Business District and is presently greatly underutilized.. The Development Plan that follows provides for a coordinated effort on the part of both the public and private sectors to convert this largely vacant area to a vibrant, urban, residen- tial community with compatible commercial and retail uses. With a concept based on the reopening of the East Race of the St. Joseph River, the Area is envisioned as a pedestrian oriented community, combining park improvements, pedestrian paths and open spaces with re -use of certain existing structures as well as encouraging new construction. In prior redevelopment projects large amounts of public sector actions were necessary to spur private development. Such is not the case with this particular project. The location and setting of the Area gives it a quality that is inherently In attractive to private developers. The major public sector investment will be the acquisition and reopening of the East Race and creation of a park along the banks of the race to complement the attractive riverfront envir- onment in the downtown area. South Bend Park Department plans for the race itself provide for recreational amenities in the form of canoeing and white water kayaking as well as providing for a fish ladder and pedestrian pathway system. Other acquisition, relocation and clearance activities will be limited as the primary emphasis will be on private sector participation. Thus, the role of the Department of Redevelopment becomes one of controlling the type and degree of c development as well as leveraging the public monies that are spent. South Bend finds itself in a position to transform this currently underutilized area, with the cooperation and involve - ment of the private sector, into a vital residential and commer- cial neighborhood that complements the downtown area and adds significantly to the tax base of the City. T -1- 10/3/80