10-03-08 Commission adopts LaSalle Square redevelopment plan

Home Browse Search

LaSalle Square is one of several areas where the City of South Bend has pursued targeted redevelopment beginning with the adoption of strategic plans built on broad-based community input. Similar efforts have taken shape or are under way in the Northeast Neighborhood, Downtown, the East Bank Village and the Coveleski ballpark district. Many of these focused development strategies have grown out of the groundwork laid in 2005-2006 by thousands of residents in the formation of City Plan, South Bend’s 20-year comprehensive plan. “City officials, developers and planning professionals don’t have a monopoly on good ideas,” Luecke said. “We believe interactive planning represents the best way to shape good public policy and foster strong private development for LaSalle Square’s future.” LaSalle Square planning is funded by tax increment financing (TIF) revenue from the west-side Airport Economic Development Area, the city’s largest. In a TIF district, the increase in tax revenue generated by new development stays within the boundaries of the district to fund infrastructure improvements, including curbs, sidewalks, streets, landscaping and other public improvements. These resources are available for economic development but not for general city services – a point often misunderstood as the City faces the loss of $21.3 million in annual revenue from the property tax caps advocated by Gov. Mitch Daniels and adopted by the legislature. “If the City chose not to make these investments in LaSalle Square, we wouldn’t save a single police officer or firefighter, or prevent the closure of a single park facility or recreation program,” Luecke said. “By state law, these dollars can only be used for economic development in the same way that individuals cannot use a health insurance plan to pay for rising gas and food prices.” Already, some initiatives are moving forward. Developers interested in a three-story, 60- unit senior housing development have approached the City. Demolition is proceeding on a former car wash property acquired by the City. And, this summer, the Redevelopment Commission approved a development agreement between the City of South Bend, Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center to renovate a vacant medical office building across from LaSalle Square to create a west-side family practice facility. In early 2009, Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center will launch Bendix Family Physicians, a fully staffed physicians’ office at 1010 N. Bendix Drive, under the auspices of the non-profit Community Health Partners of South Bend. The hospitals and private foundations will support Community Health Partners. Renovation of the medical office building will take place in 2008. The facility is expected to open in 2009. Community Health Partners will invest nearly $1.2 million to furnish and equip the facility as a full-service medical practice and a venue for community health information and programming, and underwrite ongoing operational costs. The full report can be viewed at www.SouthBendIN.gov/LaSalleSquare - 30 -