No. 2383 contracting the boundaries of the West Washington-Chapin Development Area

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feasible to rehabilitate existing buildings on these sites, or to incorporate them with new development, the buildings should be demolished and the sites redeveloped for residential uses. Under this program entire blockfronts would be redeveloped, particularly the two blocks on the south side of Washington Street between Chestnut and Maple. The remaining eastern end of the block between Walnut and Elm Street on which the commercial center would be developed, could also be the site of new residential development. In addition to the plaza/park, other public improvements would be made in the area including sidewalk, curb and roadway reconstruction, parkway landscaping, pedestrian lighting and alleyway resurfacing. Chapin Street Development Plan The Chapin Street Development Project Area is a three block corridor which connects Washington Street to Western Avenue. The corridor currently includes a number of one- and two-story, largely vacant commercial storefronts, plus a sprinkling of residential buildings, most of which are multi- family. The objective of this plan is to create a secondary neighborhood commercial area (Washington and Walnut being the primary neighborhood commercial area) focused on the intersection of Chapin and Napier. Initially, the development concept for the corridor, which is illustrated in Figure 5, calls for the rehabilitation of 11 structures. An off-street parking program would also be i-ndertaken. The remaining structures would either be renovated or redeveloped as residential or commercial projects when market conditions warrant. Under the Chapin corridor concept, the largest concentration of commercial space would be on the west side of Chapin between Western and Napier. The South Bend Heritage Foundation is already involved in a joint venture redevelopment of this block. When completed, approximately 8,000 square feet of commercial space will be available. Parking for 61 cars could be provided behind the development. K&F Food Mart should be rehabilitated, and the vacant lot immediately north of the food store could accommodate 17 off-street parking spaces. The Food Bank of Michiana would be relocated to the building on the south end of the block and the current building and the deteriorated single-family structure should be removed. The Soul Food restaurant and grocery store on the east side of Chapin Street should be rehabilitated. The two-family residential structure should be acquired and rehabilitated for a commercial use compatible with the area. Finally, six new residential structures would be constructed on the block between Jefferson and Wayne. The existing gas station would be removed. The program for the remainder of the three-block corridor should focus on (a) removing blighting influences such as junkyards, abandoned cars, etc; (b) rehabilitating the remaining buildings including the vacant tavern at the corner of Thomas and Chapin; (c) cleaning up and landscaping all vacant parcels as an initial effort to improve the appearance of the corridor while creating land for future development. This strategy would include the vacant block south of the gas station and the vacant parcel south of the tavern on Thomas; and (d) other public improvements, including sidewalk repair, alley resurfacing, parkway trees, pedestrian street lighting between Thomas and Western and a landscaped gateway feature on both northern corners of Western and Chapin. 22