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<br />South Bend <br />Redevelopment Commission <br />215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item <br /> <br />DATE : April 3, 2026 <br /> <br />FROM: Joseph Molnar, <br /> Deputy Director of Community Investment <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Westside Greenway Budget Request <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Funding Source* (circle) River West; River East; South Side; Douglas Road; West Washington; RDC General; Riv. East Res. <br />* Funds are subject to the City Controller's determination of availability; if funds are unavailable, as solely determined by the City Controller, <br />then the authorization of the expenditure of such funds shall be void and of no effect. <br /> <br />PURPOSE OF REQUEST: $50,000 Budget Request to support the Westside Greenway Community <br />Foundation Grant <br /> <br />SPECIFICS: The South Bend Greenway Conservancy is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization <br />dedicated to bringing more accessible parks and green space to the Near Westside Neighborhood. The <br />Greenway idea emerged during community planning meetings as part of the neighborhood development <br />plan, finalized in 2022. The final vision of the Greenway Conservancy is to create and maintain a walkable <br />linear park and cultural trail connecting existing institutions and green spaces throughout the west side. <br />This long-term vision is in collaboration with multiple neighborhood institutions and partners. The current <br />plan is to phase in implementation of the greenway starting in the northern sections of the neighborhood <br />near City Cemetery. <br /> <br />The Greenway Conservancy applied for and was granted a Community Foundation of St. Joseph County <br />Grant Award to help fund the norther portion of the greenway. This $50,000 Budget Request will help <br />match those funds to begin work on portions of the northern section of the greenway project. This <br />northern project will also intersect with the newly approved West Washington Mid-Block Pedestrian <br />Crossing which the RDC approved funding for on March 26, 2026. <br /> <br />Improvements from this budget request will primarily take place on the privately owned lots adjacent to <br />the planned trail. This funding matches the intent of one of the South Bend Pokagon Fund’s initiatives <br />broadly aimed at the improvement of educational opportunities. The newly created greenway will provide <br />educational opportunities for the community to learn more about native plantings, the intersection of <br />infrastructure and the environment, as well as a source of mutual community engagement. <br /> <br />Staff recommends approval. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres <br /> <br /> <br />ATTEST: __________ ________Secretary <br /> <br />Date: _____________ _______ <br /> <br /> APPROVED Not Approved <br />SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION