HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-2007 Effort will reopen ‘windows’ on the St. Joseph River ,SOUTH
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Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
June 4, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Effort will re-open `windows' on the St. Joseph River
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-
1564, Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, 235-5923, or Phil St. Clair, Superintendent of Parks
and Recreation, 299-4768
The beauty of the St. Joseph River will become more visible to pedestrians, bicyclers and
motorists as part of a new "Windows on the River" initiative announced today by South
Bend Mayor Stephen J. Luecke.
As South Bend's biggest natural asset, the St. Joseph River often is obscured from view
by"scrub growth"—weeds, vines and other organic debris that neither stabilize the
riverbank nor enhance the river's ecosystem. In the coming months, city crews hope to
re-open "windows on the river"—500-foot sections providing clear viewing points —at
strategic places along the St. Joseph River's 17 miles of riverbank in South Bend.
When completed,they hope to have a total of 1 mile of Windows on the River—nearly 6
percent of the shoreline on both sides—without impacting the riparian tree canopy that
sustains aquatic life. The effort comes in response to the call from residents during the
City Plan process for the city to preserve and enhance the river as natural resource.
"As the river flows from Logan Street to Darden Road, there are many places where
residents of a previous era saw the river's natural beauty," Luecke said. `By re-opening
windows on the river, we hope to restore scenic views that were enjoyed for generations.
We want people to rediscover what makes South Bend such a beautiful and livable
community."
Luecke made the announcement along the St. Joseph River near Century Center and
Jefferson Boulevard, where city crews began work on the first three locations of
concentrated cleanup work. Other segments scheduled for work in June include
Lincolnway East near the Twyckenham Drive Bridge on June 11 and 12, and North
Shore Boulevard near the Leeper Park Bridge on June 18.
Working with interns, the city's Environmental Services and Geographic Information
System staff in 2003 compiled a map of riverbank conditions for the entire length of the
river in South Bend. The map details property usage, slope, riverbank vegetation, sewer
outfalls and drainage patterns. This information provided background for staff from
several city departments to collaborate in making Windows on the River possible.
City staff adjusted existing priorities to allocate time to the coordinated effort, according
to Gary Gilot, director of public works —one of several departments involved including
Code Enforcement, Community Development, Parks and Recreation and others. The
Windows on the River will not change current access to the river.
"We're not making a walkway to the river,just a window," Gilot said.
The city also plans to collaborate with other groups in the effort including the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana Department of Transportation, Historic
Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, Michiana Watershed,
Friends of the River and others.
For now, city officials encourage river-lovers to enjoy the view. The city also is
interested in receiving suggestions and photographs from residents about favorite views
from the past or recommended new windows on the river. Contact the Mayor's Office
with comments or photos: (574) 235-9953, fax (574) 235-9892, or mail: 1400 County-
City Building, 227 W. Jefferson, South Bend, IN 46601. Or visit the web site for more
information, including before and after photos:
www.SouthBendIN.gov/WindowsontheRiver
Places already under consideration for additional Windows on the River include the
Pinhook Park area, along the new Riverside Trail (especially at a point to view the osprey
nest near Riverside Drive and Lathrop Street), Leeper Park, Lincolnway East and
Northside Boulevard.
In 1847, a writer observed that "in the spring and fall one can hardly look upon this
beautiful stream without seeing a boat of some character, deeply laden, sailing towards its
mouth," according to the 1907 History of St. Joseph County. When the new Windows on
the River are opened, city officials hope that residents will find new views of a landscape
that now is obscured.
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ON THE RIVER
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