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DTSB I Bringing the River to Light
<br />PROJECT OVERVIEW
<br />There has never been more validity to the adage that says, "As goes downtown, so goes the city" In a matter
<br />of years, experts project that urban areas will trump suburbs and traditional neighborhoods as the preferred
<br />place of living for almost every demographic — inclusive of age, race, and income level. With over 14,000
<br />employees, downtown South Bend is home to the largest workday population in the county and is firmly
<br />established as a hub for commerce. Downtown is also home to a minor league baseball team, the country's
<br />fast urban whitewater course, a unique network of parks, the largest concentration of restaurants and eateries
<br />in the region, an endless array of special events, historic and architecturally significant buildings, museums,
<br />galleries, entertainment venues, and one of the top rated perform mg arts centers in the country. Positioned
<br />directly between the emerging high -tech development at Ignition Park and the energy at the'University of
<br />Notre Dame and Eddy Street Commons, downtown South Bend is becoming more geographically and
<br />economically relevant than it has been in nearly 50 years.
<br />The City of South Bend and its partner organizations are committed to many different economic
<br />development initiatives at several levels —many of them focused specifically in and around downtown.
<br />Much enthusiasm and momentum is being directed towards new housing enterprises, business recruitment
<br />and expansion programs, park rehabilitations, streetscape projects, traffic redirection and road realignment,
<br />asset management optimization and significant infrastructure improvements. All of these plans reiterate the
<br />expressed need that was cited over two dozen times in the 2025 City Plan for Smart Growth: A concentrated
<br />effort to focus energy on the river.
<br />For far too long the Saint Joseph River has been an afterthought in this town - Rivers and bridges are
<br />celebrated in countless communities across the world — efficiently used as tools for economic development,
<br />sources of energy, recreational destinations, and foundations for visitor attraction and community pride.
<br />Instead, the namesake of South Bend has been largely underutilized, serving as an afterthought, a physical
<br />divide, and as an under- celebrated heart of the city. It is clear that this is no longer acceptable in South Bend.
<br />Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) seeks to leverage the work of the City of South Bend, private
<br />developers, and other community organizations by generating a project that significantly refocuses the
<br />energies of the Saint Joseph River as an economic development engine, a source of community advancement,
<br />a tool for visitor attraction and as a destination for recreational, artistic, and entertainment delight. This new,
<br />innovative project is called "Bringing the River to Light."
<br />BENEFITS OF A VIBRANT RIVERFRONT
<br />Rob Shakespeare along with countless place making experts, new urbanists, city planners, and developers
<br />alike attest that this style of project far exceeds its ornamental value. The economic impact and community
<br />development potential that can be realized through "Bringing the River to Light" is remarkable at several
<br />levels:
<br />Complement Existing Businesses
<br />The Century Center, South Bend Museum of Art, Island Pavilion Venue, Seitz Park. East Bank Emporium Restaurant &
<br />Shops, and the DoubleTree by Hilton are existing businesses that would see an immediate and direct impact by an
<br />invigorated, dynamic riverfront. This destination piece would have a significant influence on the sales potential of the
<br />Century, further enhancing its net economic impact. Many other businesses in the downtown would benefit from this
<br />project that will both stabilize and enhance the economy of this corridor while increasing adjacent property values.
<br />Spur Public & Private Projects/Investments
<br />The re- routing of two -way streets, a concentrated effort to revive the river walk, a focus on Howard Park revitalization,
<br />the newly created Municipal Riverfront Development District, the East Bank Village Master Plan and Howard Park
<br />Neighborhood Association plans all serve to benefit from this project, as do private housing and commercial
<br />development initiatives along the riverfront.
<br />Visitor Attraction
<br />"Bringing the River to Light" is a project that will garner local, regional and national attention. Properly exploited and
<br />executed, this installation will be something that will instantly attract local visitors on a consistent basis. Shakespeare
<br />reports that similar projects have provoked a "must -see" type sentiment for any visitors to the area. It is not difficult to
<br />imagine folks across the region asking, "Have you seen what `they' did to the riverfmin in downtown South Bend?*
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