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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouthwest_Rum Village Partnership Outline South Bend Common Council 227 W, Jefferson Blvd. Room 441 - County-City Building, South Bend, IN 46601 The Collective Power of Engagement & Intentional Collaboration August 22, 2019 Southwest/RumVillage Partnership Outline 1.A description of proposed plan and how it relates to the Common Council/City’s basic purpose and mission: The South side of South Bend has not seen the same level of investment as seen in other neighborhoods and communities. The Southside is facing serious challenges partly due to the fact that there is one neighborhood association, Rum Village Neighborhood Association, that represents the whole Southwest part of the city. Residents in the Rum Village areas have raised concerns mostly pertaining to what is listed below. Housing ●Funding for home repairs in the Rum Village community. ●Host workshops for contractors at Olive Apartments so they are accessible to area residents. ●Work with residents on developing scattered site and affordable housing options for houseless persons in the community. S​treets, Curbs and Sidewalks ●Prairie Avenue needs sidewalks, especially going west from the Dollar General to Prairie Apartments. ●Streets repairs are desperately needed along Edward and McPherson streets. ●West Indiana Avenue has commercial zonging and could be a vibrant commercial area. A TIF district could be realigned to include Indiana Avenue, which could provide continued funding to develop Indiana Avenue in the same way as Western Avenue. Curb and Sidewalk improvements, along with grants to improve facades. ●Flooding caused by debris falling onto and blocking drainage sewers is grave a concern. ​ Edward, Walnut, and McPherson streets Indiana Avenue Street Lights Use LED lights to improve lighting in the Rum Village area and other communities throughout the 6th District. Walkerfield Park ●Offer youth programming in Wakefield Park for youth. ●The park needs more amenities to improve its experience for youth and other residents. Some additions could include: ○Water fountains; ○Bathrooms; ○A soccer field with a net; and ○The basketball courts could be improved and expanded by way of repurposing the tennis courts. Space at Walkerfield Park for a soccer field Tennis Courts Basketball Court Prairie Street 2.Why this plan is needed: Residents on the Southwest side want to see more development in their communities. Intentional engagement from the City would go a long way in further improving the district. Investments in affordable housing development for residents is a major concern as there is an unseen population of houseless persons who struggle with access to employment and housing. Area contractors and young people could be employed to improve the existing housing stock so as to create jobs, safe and affordable housing, and other opportunities. Moreover, investments in infrastructure and commercial development could bring more commercial activity and jobs to other parts of the 6th District, south of Western Avenue. This plan is needed so that social and economic inclusion reaches struggling communities on the Southwest side of South Bend. 3.The human and financial resources needed to implement the plan (in detail): Human Resources​: The City of South Bend could work with the Rum Village Neighborhood Association and area residents on a neighborhood tour where residents can meet with city officials about their concerns. The Rum Village Neighborhood Association could also host workshops at Oliver Apartments for area contractors about city projects. Financial Resources:​ The city could reallocate existing funds to neighborhoods and census tracts on the Southwest side that are in need of improvements. 4.What will this mean to the Common Council/City in opportunities and cost in 1 to three years: Depending upon implementation, the City/Common Council could potentially extend opportunities to areas that have felt woefully neglected. The City could also use existing funds and grants that are appropriated on a yearly basis. If a TIF districts on the South and West sides are realigned to include the Rum Village area, there could be a greater possibility for increased commercial development, especially along Indiana Avenue.