HomeMy WebLinkAboutPress Release 12-09-2022 Henry Davis Jr. Statement on the Drewerys Brewery Property
Henry Davis, JR.
2nd District Council Member
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227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Rm. 441 Office: (574) 235-5983 FAX: (574) 235-9173
County-City Building South Bend, IN Voicemail: (574) 235-5983 TDD: (574) 235-5567
46601- 1830 Email:.HDAVIS@SOUTHBENDIN.GOV
FROM: COUNCILMEMBER HENRY DAVIS, JR.
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO DREWRY’S BREWERY
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022
CONTACT: COUNCILMEMBER HENRY DAVIS, JR.,
HDAVIS@SOUTHBENDIN.GOV, 574-300-5241
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Councilman Henry Davis Jr.’s Response to the Drewrys Brewery Property
Although I am pleased that the Drewrys Brewery property will be cleared in 2023, any joy that I
have is tempered by the fact that the citizens of the Northwest Side have had to live in the shadow
of a property that was an economic burden and a safety hazard. Quite simply, it is hard to imagine
that this situation would have been allowed to fester for more than 50 years had this property been
in any other part of our city.
We will never know how many economic development opportunities passed this neighborhood by
because the multiple city administrations had no plan to develop the property, no plan to hold
multiple absentee owners of the property accountable, and no plan to deal with the myriad of health
and safety hazards that those living near the Drewrys property were exposed to.
However, that neglect is consistent with the lack of investment that has long plagued
neighborhoods located west of the river. The mayor has shown a lack of concern for residents who
live in challenging situations. Over the past two years, we have been discussing environmental
justice and racism and we keep hearing the mayor say that we are growing, and everything is fine.
The country has a history of exposing the poor and people of color to some of the most inhumane
treatment while suggesting nothing is wrong. I beg to differ and call foul on the actions of this
Mayor and his administration. The members of this community deserve to live in a safe and
accommodating environment.
Mediocrity cannot be our goal and development can no longer be an afterthought. The citizens of
this community deserve so much more. Grandstanding on rubble that residents and children see
every day is inappropriate and insensitive to the pain people in this neighborhood deal with daily.
Councilman, Henry Davis Jr.
2nd District, City of South Bend, Indiana
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Brewery Property.docx