Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – February 13, 2025 <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />pedestrian island, flashing sign, and bump outs added to the North <br />side of Wall St. for safer crossing from the River Park neighborhood. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wax asked why the neighborhood circle is not a full <br />traffic circle. Mr. Corcoran stated that this has been discussed, and <br />residents have concerns about people and students going around the <br />circle too fast so this might be a solution for that, however, we are still <br />in the concept phase. Mr. Corcoran also clarified that the pedestrian <br />crossing on Ironwood is not a stop but yellow flashing lights and will be <br />push button activated and help with the lane shift and street alignment <br />issue. Rachel Tomas Morgan, Councilwoman asked if there is <br />consideration for bike lanes/multi-use paths in this plan. Mr. Corcoran <br />stated that there is a widened sidewalk connecting Ironwood to <br />Greenlawn on the South side as well as on Greenlawn. Willow <br />Weatherall stated that there is a disjointed sidewalk on the East side of <br />Wall St. and on the Southwest corner of the park that is not connected <br />to the zoo trail system and has a grassy hill that she hopes will be <br />addressed. <br /> <br />Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Eli Wax, the <br />motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Budget <br />Request as presented on February 13, 2025. <br /> <br />C. West Washington Development Area <br /> <br />1. Budget Request (MLK Dream Center Financial Empowerment Center) <br /> <br />Sarah Schaefer, Deputy Director of Community Investment, presented <br />a budget request for $40,000 for the buildout space for the Financial <br />Empowerment Center office at the new Martin Luther King Jr. Dream <br />Center opening in April. Ms. Schaefer explained that this center will <br />provide free one-on-one financial counseling for South Bend residents. <br />The services provided will focus on increasing savings, improving <br />credit, reducing debt, and safe banking by using professionally trained <br />counselors. Ms. Schaefer stated that there will be three (3) staff <br />members, one program manager and two counselors that will need <br />private space for sessions and the goal is to reach 480 residents per <br />counselor, per year. She also explained they are expecting the hours <br />to be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Tuesday, <br />Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. as well as considering doing some <br />additional hours on Saturdays during the Linden Ave. Farmers Market, <br />which will also be at the Dream Center. The request is for adjustments <br />to the current layout and furniture. <br /> <br />Alexia Velazquez, Local Government Manager for FEC, stated that this <br />is the first program of its kind in the state of Indiana and her team