Opening of Proposals - RAISE Planning Project – The Market District Proj No. 123-053 - Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.

Home Browse Search

Proposal for CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA PROJECT UNDERSTANDING PROJECT UNDERSTANDING The Market District in South Bend is a collection of varied neighborhoods dominated by divisive freeways like interchange ramps that connect the surrounding streets to SR23 (Area shown graphically). These ramps were constructed to facilitate the employee vehicle traffic going to and from the Studebaker factory. While the Studebaker factory closed its doors in 1963, the lasting impacts of the ramps on the adjacent communities can still be felt. Despite this challenge the neighborhood continues to thrive. In the southeast quadrant of the Mishawaka Avenue and SR23 intersection the South Bend Farmers Market – over 100 years old and located for 95 years in its current location – supports a diverse variety of local businesses located along Northside Boulevard and Mishawaka Avenue. These businesses include local supermarkets, event centers, bars, restaurants, and other small local retailers. The northeast quadrant of the Mishawaka Avenue and SR23 intersection includes the charming Sunnymede neighborhood and Jefferson School. North of the SR23 ramps, along the north bank of the river, the area is ripe with residential redevelopment including the Riverwalk Townhomes and the former TRANSPO Site redevelopment. The riverwalk connects this area to the beautifully reimagined Howard Park and Jefferson Street neighborhood providing easy access to all the amenities offered in downtown South Bend. Along the south side of the river in the southeast and southwest quadrants of the district include tired commercial, industrial and residential areas ripe for redevelopment. Creating a new street grid in the Market District that balances all modes will create opportunities for redevelopment and improve access and mobility for all transit modes to community destinations. This new opportunity for connections will allow the residents and their families in the adjacent neighborhoods a safe, comfortable, and efficient route to travel to the river (and to downtown) without crossing busy interchange ramps (either by vehicle, bike, or by foot); all while being able to stop and support the local businesses along the way. And by removing the ramps and creating opportunity areas for the development of mixed income housing choices consistent with the duplexes, multifamily developments, and “cottage courts” currently located in and near the area. These opportunities will allow the segmented neighborhoods to be tied back together, and also encourage infill housing and revitalization of the existing residential neighborhoods in and near the district. It is the hope that all these development opportunities eventually create a regional destination sought out for its rich and diverse mix of businesses and residential neighborhoods. This placemaking will spur the growth and expansion of places like the Farmers Market creating the premier destination for people wanting to travel to purchase produce, support local restaurants and other small businesses, all while being able to spend the day along the river and in one of South Bend’s premier parks – all while being able to walk or bike between all of the places. Restoring the Neighborhood: The Market District Improvement Project, 2022 Raise Grant Application, South Bend, IN April 2022 6