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Introduction Portage Avenue is the primary access to South Bend's pleasant, historic housing immediately west of the St. Joseph River. This area is a classic example of the traditional neighborhoods many builders try to capture in today's most trendy developments. There are sidewalks, front porches, variety in housing styles and prices, and pockets of mixed use commercial development. However, this area differs from the trendy new developments in that it fell out of fashion during the last 20 years as South Bend consumers sought modern suburban shopping and newer housing. During this period, many structures along Portage Avenue suffered from neglect. Additionally, major commercial developments anchored by WalMart and Meijer attracted the price conscious residents who remained in these traditional neighborhoods. This market shift left many vacant and/or underutilized commercial structures that convey an undeservedly dismal picture of the surrounding area. Concerns about the appearance and economic viability of Portage Avenue and the increasing volume of traffic led the City of South Bend to commission Business Districts, Inc. (BDI) to study this area to determine an action plan for addressing the commercial corridor. Since BDI had recently completed Corridor Action Plans for the other west side commercial corridors, Lincoln Way West and Western Avenue, it was also felt that a study of Portage Avenue was necessary to capitalize on the market information already developed for those areas and complete the development plan for South Bend's west side. In June of 1999, this study began. Although each corridor was studied as a separate entity, there is interdependence of the markets these corridors serve and the need for all areas to coordinate as their revitalization calls on the financial and volunteer resources available to South Bend. The consultants have recognized these commercial nodes on South Bend's westside: • Near Westside. • Anchors: Gene's Camera/Louie's Tux Shop • Anchor: Sav-A-Lot • Western Avenue. • Anchor: Goodwill • Anchor: Belleville • Anchor: Potential Ethnic Village • Lincoln Way West • Anchor: Revco (CVS) • Anchor: LaSalle Square • Portage Avenue • Anchor: NNN Building Area • Anchor: Martin's Center Although the strategies for revitalizing these nodes vary, they must coordinate to ensure that positive changes in one area are not at the expense of the other areas. Action Plans have several important purposes. They outline when, how and by whom the activities are to be carried out. But the purpose of an action plan is more pervasive than just directing output. Action plans should: • weave the elements of a strategy into a united, cohesive entity, • act as road map, • stimulate thinking and make better use of resources, • inform new participants in the plan of their role, • assist management in their control and monitoring functions, • provide a document that can be approved, rejected or modified. Portage Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan October 1999 Page 2