09-28-15 Agenda, Packet & Committee Meeting Notice

Home Browse Search

SOUTH BEND GENERAL.AREA INFORMATION(cont.) The Michiana Regional Transportation Center is the transportation hub of St. Joseph County. In addition to its capability of handling large jet aircraft, it has recently constructed a new South Shore i Railroad terminal. It also serves as a United Limo pickup station for direct transportation to Chicago Midway and O'Hare Airports. ISouth Bend has become an important educational center as far as higher education is concerned. The University of Notre Dame and its facilities have long been an integral part of the city and is one of the major employers in St.Joseph County. Indiana University at South Bend continues to expand its campus. St. Mary's College, Bethel College, Holy Cross College, and vocational colleges such as Indiana Vocational Technical College continue to grow. Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, and Michiana Community Hospital are major facilities offering a full scope of medical services. The area is competently protected by an adequate police force and fire protection service. There are 235 churches in the area,of all denominations. The University Park Mall, located north of the city, is a regional mall attracting buyers from not only St.Joseph County,but also southwestern Michigan.There is also Scottsdale Mall on the south side of the city. The Grape Road area has become one of the busiest commercially developed areas in northern Indiana,and new retail developments continue to be built. The Central Business District has almost ceased as a retail entity, and now contains governmental office and professional offices.The Century Center convention building continues to attract more and more conventions and trade shows. There have also been a number of office buildings constructed in the central business district and they include One Michiana Square,Teachers Credit Union, and River Glen Plaza, to name a few. The new national College Football Hall of Fame building in the newest addition to the central business district. Some of the cultural and recreational developments that have recently taken place include the East Race Waterway, which offers water sports such as rafting and kayak competition. The Stanley Coveleski Stadium, home of the South Bend Silver Hawks minor league baseball team, has become an outstanding sports center for the area. Athletics at the University of Notre Dame also are an integral part of the local sports picture. Even though much of the original industrial base of the area has eroded,the area continues to show growth and promise.The new Blackthorn Industrial and Office Park located just north of the Michiana Regional Transportation Center is one of the most recent steps to attract highly technical industries.The Blackthorn Golf Course is an outstanding 18-hole course. It is hoped that this new development will attract corporate headquarters and high-tech industries to the area. Generally speaking,the outlook for South Bend and the surrounding area is highly optimistic. 41 • }