5165-26 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.Community1• Create a public Town Square rather than rebuilding streets 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 NODES • Use materials with distinct colors and designs for Michigan Street spaces that are intended for pedestrians General Housing Comments • Develop continuous stretches of retail • Design buildings with large windows to connect a Develop affordable housing and mixed-use across from Hunt Plaza/Morris Theater the iblyoors exploreo reflectivs e n glass groundf rivrand the former Hall of Fame possibly reflective near the river a • Provide dedicated spaces and electrical hookups for • Enhance street lighting and incorporate vibrant 7i Provide more low-income housing food trucks along former Michigan Street alignment. colors to brighten Downtown at night Do not upzone residential neighborhoods • Connect Morris Theater and Jon Hunt Memorial m 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 leasing 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, employees and visitors • Attract more arts uses to the Renaissance District