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