09-05-08 City to explore changing Lafayette, William to two-way

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leading planning efforts for the Coveleski ballpark district on behalf of the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development. “As we look to new developments on William and Lafayette, the ability to have two-way traffic getting to the ballpark and leaving the ballpark would be an advantage.” The city already is in the middle of a planning process with HOK Sport to develop master plans for the ballpark property as well as for the blocks surrounding the stadium. HOK, the architect when Coveleski was built in 1987, also designed Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Cleveland’s Jacobs Field. Built for $11 million in 1987, Coveleski Stadium is worth an estimated $35 million to $40 million today. The stadium is owned by the City of South Bend, which leases the facility to the South Bend Silver Hawks, a Class A minor league baseball franchise. The city has been acquiring properties in the vicinity of the ballpark while HOK has been working on a conceptual development plan for public and private investment. Still being developed, the conceptual development plan focuses on an area bounded by Bronson Street on the south, Wayne Street on the north, Michigan Street on the east and Scott Street on the west. The final plan would include short-, mid- and long-term strategies for the city to pursue. “We believe that a first-rate conceptual redevelopment plan will bring in Big League outside private investment,” said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. The planning efforts are funded by Tax Increment Financing for the city’s Central Business Development Area. When a TIF district is created, it allows the city to set aside the portion of taxes paid from new development for economic-development efforts within the district. By state law, TIF funds cannot be used for ongoing city operating expenses, such as police and firefighter salaries or parks and recreation programs. - 30 -