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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – November 24, 2025 <br /> <br />Page | 4 <br /> <br /> <br />2. Budget Request (Leighton Building Improvements) <br />Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity, is <br />requesting $750,000 from the River West TIF for improvements at the <br />Leighton Building for two main purposes: <br /> <br />1. Install a New Building Automation System <br />• The current HVAC control system is outdated and inefficient. <br />• A new system will allow better temperature control across all five <br />floors, which is important for spaces like offices, a gym, and a pool <br />that have different needs. <br />• This upgrade will improve energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, <br />and extend the life of the HVAC system. <br /> <br />2. Begin Second Floor Renovation <br />• The second floor is mostly vacant except for pool equipment. <br />• The plan is to relocate the City IT Department here since they <br />don’t need public-facing space and currently lease at a separate <br />location. <br />• Funds will cover: <br />o Internal demolition of old HealthWorks Museum space. <br />o Structural improvements around the pool if needed. <br />o Initial design and build-out for IT offices. <br />• Design work has started, but demolition is needed to uncover any <br />surprises before full renovation. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked why demolition is needed. Mr. <br />Molnar, we’ll need to demolish the existing interior to understand the <br />space fully. We have the original blueprints, so we know the general <br />layout, but the floor still has many walls and features from its previous <br />use as the HealthWorks Museum. That includes things like a large brain <br />exhibit, an auditorium, and several small offices. The space was designed <br />for a children’s museum, not for offices, so it will require significant <br />reconfiguration. <br /> <br />Caleb Bauer, Executive Director of Community Investment, also shared <br />that the City Hall development did not use TIF funds. For the Leighton <br />Building, we’re requesting this appropriation to fully reactivate the <br />building, similar to other Redevelopment Commission projects. <br />Future IT department build-out will likely require Common Council <br />approval for non-RDC budget funds. This request focuses on <br />improvements that benefit the entire building, including YMCA <br />activation and reusing the second floor. <br /> <br />Budget Notes: