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primary focus of the group (further described in E.3) that was tasked to create a vision for <br />the Studebaker Corridor. The creation of the Studebaker/Oliver Plow Works <br />Redevelopment Strategy in 1999 was the first step toward ending a long-standing blight <br />that the community has faced for more than thirty-five years. <br />The vision that the group laid out was a phased approach to eventually redevelop the <br />entire Studebaker factory complex into a light industrial park. The group had no desire to <br />put "all the city's eggs in one basket" again like they had with. Studebaker Corporation. <br />Diversification of businesses and uses on the site would;benefit'both>the local economy <br />and the stability of the future development. If one, business were to fail, it would not leave <br />the city with a giant dinosaur building in need„of significant public investment. By <br />catering to smaller industries and distribution`fir ns Ithe redevelopmer t;strategy,aspired to <br />create a sustainable and stable reuse plan for the area.;' . 8 <br />Implementation of this strategy began with the acquisition of the,South Bend Stamping <br />plant and former Oliver Plow Works property in March 2d02:,Ttie`Oliver property was <br />identified as the first phase of implementation for the strategy; and the, -37 buildings that <br />stood on that site have already been demolished,, and site work is underway that will <br />create seven new parcels for industrial. development' South Bend Stamping complex <br />has been dormant since the City acquired it, as itis to be'the second phase of the strategy <br />following the redevelopment of the Oliver, property: The City has°conducted Phase I and <br />initial Phase II environmental assessments of the area andis beginning the environmental <br />remediation process at the stamping plant. Following thereinediation stage, the property <br />o through gh <br />will demolition, site,M.p paration,re •infrastructure construction, and new private <br />: <br />investment and develo meat: <br />