HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-2006 Portage Avenue: Building New Opportunities SOUTH
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Office of the Mayor
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday,November 8,2006
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director, Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Sharon Kendall, Director, Community & Economic Development, 235-9375
Elizabeth Maradik, Community Development Planner, 235-5870
PORTAGE AVENUE:
BUILDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The Portage Avenue Steering Committee, in partnership with the City of South Bend's
Division of Community Development and the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc.,has worked
to acquire key properties along Portage Ave. Recently the committee purchased the properties
located at 808-836 Portage Ave, for future development. These properties are envisioned as sites
for single family housing.
Initially,the buildings will be demolished and the site will be cleared and prepared for
new development which will occur in two phases. Phase 1 will consist of seeding and
landscaping of the site as a temporary green space. Phase 2 will include construction of new
single family homes that will reflect the architecture of the area and complement the
redevelopment that has occurred as a result of almost $1 million in public investment on the
Portage Avenue Corridor since 1999. (Please see attached renderings for Phase 1 and 2.)
In addition to the purchase of these properties, the Steering Committee has made multiple
streetscape improvements along the corridor. Intersection modifications at Allen4lumboldt and
Navarre improve safety, create a more pedestrian friendly environment, increase area
beautification/green space, and help to better control traffic.
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These projects were developed and completed through Mayor Stephen J. Luecke's
Commercial Corridor Initiative and were funded through County Option Income Tax (COIT)
revenues allocated to the Portage Avenue Steering Committee, by the City of South Bend, as part
of the Committee's annual funding request.
"Overall, these Corridor Steering Committee projects help to reinforce Portage Avenue as
a major thoroughfare connecting the Northwest to Downtown and make it a more vibrant
location for consumers and companies to do business," said Mayor Luecke. The Steering
Committee will continue to pursue additional projects which will contribute to these efforts and
will continue to enhance the area.
Per the 1999 Portage Avenue Commercial Corridor Revitalization Action Plan, the
committee will focus on projects that address Portage Avenue streetscape, marketing, business
development, and building fapade enhancement, and which are consistent with the City of South
Bend's comprehensive plan, City Plan.
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Building New Opportunities
FACT SHEET
Commercial Corridor Initiative
Goal: To improve South Bend's key entryways into the city.
Vision: City planners working together with area stakeholders to improve the City of South
Bend.
City provides staff support for planning and implementation.
To date: $6.75 Million in public investment on all corridors.
Portage Avenue Steering Committee
Portage Avenue Corridor is one of five gateways into the City of South Bend, and is bounded
by Marion Street to the south and Kinyon Street to the north. The other corridors are Miami
St.; Lincoln Way West; Western Ave.; and South Michigan & South Main Streets.
All corridor development is overseen by the Portage Avenue Steering Committee, which is
comprised of residents,Portage Avenue business and agency representatives, and other
stakeholders serving on a volunteer basis.
The Steering Committee recently developed a marketing brochure for Portage Avenue in
order to promote the area to potential businesses and customers.
Streetscape improvements at King Street and along Portage Avenue from Golden to Angela
are hoped to increase pedestrian friendliness and enhance area beautification.
To date, fifteen Matching Fagade Grants have been awarded by the Committee to area
businesses, for $175,540 of total investment in commercial buildings along the corridor.
Since 1999, the Portage Avenue Corridor has received $851,000 from the City's Commercial
Corridor Initiative.
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