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9. The study area is perceived to be gentrifying only within and adjacent to the Historic <br />• District. Other gentrifying areas in the city of South Bend include: <br />a. Park Avenue - 15 years ago this neighborhood was much like the Near Westside <br />is today. Now it is no longer affordable to many home-buyers. <br />b. Monroe - a targeted redevelopment area. <br />The market for essential goods (groceries) is dominated by Kroger's and Martins <br />grocery stores. <br />Retail Market Trends <br />1. The market for essential goods (groceries) is dominated by Kroger's and Martins <br />grocery stores. <br />2. Residents of the study area go to the two malls (especially University Park Mall) to do <br />their comparison shopping, as do most South Bend residents. <br />3. The Hispanic community within the study area frequent a commercial area south of the <br />study area. <br />4. One respondent suggested that alaundry-mat and achurch-owned service could be <br />successful if located near the clinic on Chapin. <br />Other Commercial Market Trends <br />• 1. Spot-zoning for and non-conforming use of commercial buildings exist in the study <br />area, contributing to physical deterioration of commercial buildings. <br />2. The trend of house-moving and commercial office rehabilitation has reached its peak. <br />The lack of tax incentives has contributed to this condition. <br />3. The commercial use of historic buildings creates an investment dilemma for those <br />interested in revitalizing the area. Overall, while the demand has been strong for office <br />space for small offices, the conversion of previously; residential structures to <br />commercial uses leaves the area vacant during the weekends and at night. One <br />respondent feels that this contributes to the perception that the Near Westside <br />neighborhood is not secure. <br />Revitalization Potential and Needs <br />1. The majority of persons interviewed feel that if crime was put "in check" that many <br />persons from the remainder of South Bend would frequent or perhaps invest in the study <br />area. Crime does seem to be limited to both break-ins in commercial properties and drug- <br />related violence on the streets. One factor contributing to the present perception of crime <br />is the presence of loitering individuals on the streets outside of taverns. One respondent <br />suggested that a local drinking ordinance might alleviate some of the loitering. <br />8 <br />