26-08 Resolution Approving and Adopting the Downtown 2045 Plan

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February & March 2025 Open Houses The City held presentations and open houses in February and March 2025 to give the public a final chance to contribute to THE HEART OF PUBLIC REALM the development of the Vision plan.Feedback from these DOWNTOWN ENHANCEMENTS meetings then informed the four themes of the plan:Public Realm Improvements.The Heart of Downtown.Neighborhood Town Square • Maintain and repair existing streets when possible, Nodes.and Innovation&Institutional Catalysts.Community rather than rebuilding streets • Create a public Town Square input was essential in shaping the Downtown South Bend 2045 • Improve the East Race area • plan,influencing every stage from the initial meeting to the Incorporate new destinations and museums that final round of engagement. could focus on South Bend history,such as the • Provide cold-weather building connections,such as South Bend Blue Sox and the Pokagon Band of skyways and tunnels Potawatomi • Improve wayfinding for cyclists and motorcyclists NEIGHBORHOOD • Offer free experiences in public spaces ii • Use materials with distinct colors and designs for NODES Michigan Street spaces that are intended for pedestrians General Housing Comments • Develop continuous stretches of retail • Design buildings with large windows to connect `- Develop affordable housing and mixed use across from Hunt Plaza/Morris Theater the outdoors to activities on the ground floor and possibly explore reflective glass near the river a the former Hall of Fame • Provide dedicated spaces and electrical hookups for • Enhance street lighting and incorporate vibrant Provide more low-income housing food trucks along former Michigan Street alignment. colors to brighten Downtown at night c z Do not upzone residential neighborhoods • Connect Morris Theater and Jon Hunt Memorial Plaza to Colfax Avenue Provide a range of new housing options (affordable housing,high-density housing.etc.) Riverfront Park Downtown/River West Neighborhoods • Eliminate the dam MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS • Redevelop the Karl King tower • Increase the focus on the riverfront • • Integrate the housing along the riverfront into • Connect to other riverfront parks.including Leeper . Make Downtown feet safe and comfortable for all Downtown Park.Seitz Park,and Howard Park • Support people experiencing homelessness Century Center • Encourage changes to landlord teasing periods • Renovate the building,but don't alter it • Use environmentally-friendly materials and practices INNOVATION & • Don't relocate the South Bend Museum of Art • Connect with all colleges and universities INSTITUTIONAL CATALYSTS • Relocate the South Bend Museum of Art to another • Engage the Westside community • Extend the South Shore into downtown South Bend existing or purpose built building • Ensure parking is convenient for residents, • Attract more arts uses to the Renaissance District employees and visitors